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Deliciously seductive and surprisingly redemptive
Arturo Perez-Reverte is one of Spain’s most beloved contemporary novelists. I have loved many of his books and his Captain Alatriste books have been made into movies but of all his characters I was most dazzled by his Jesuit priest, Father Lorenzo Quart. The story is clever in places and deliciously sensual with lavish descriptions of Seville. The plot is not particularly complex but it is satisfying as a background for a tale populated with some of the most enjoyable characters I have encountered in a long time. The bumbling, inept trio hired to foil Quart’s investigation are absolutely hilarious and the dotty old duchess with a surprising hobby is a delight. Even her gorgeous but ultimately manipulative daughter has her moments, and the cantankerous old village priest surprises with his unexpected pragmatism. But it is Father Lorenzo Quart that fascinates.
Lorenzo Quaart is an investigator for the Vatican, one reviewer described him as a sort of theologically-charged James Bond: “The name is Quart – Father Quart”. He is brilliant, handsome, dedicated and rigorously self-disciplined. Though very different in personality, Fr. Quart reminded me of another handsome but challenged Jesuit, Fr. Emilio Sandoz, in Mary Doria Russell’s lovely book The Sparrow. He is not a man of Faith but, like Sandoz, he has found peace, purpose, and discipline in the priesthood and that is good enough for him. However, in Seville he finds an entire city full of exasperating characters — from a disillusioned, suicidal American nun to a conniving, debt-ridden gambler — all determined to thwart his every move. Quart has always relied on his self-discipline, intellect, and pride in being a “good soldier” to guide him but in Seville none of that seems useful any more.
The storyline is simple, a beautiful old church, Our Lady of the Tears, is threatened with destruction. Lately some mysterious deaths have taken place there and the Pope’s computer has been hacked and warnings sent. Fr. Quart is dispatched to find out what is going on. Quart’s investigation is obstructed at every turn and he’s continually flummoxed by the bizarre behaviors of the people he is forced to deal with. His commitment to his vocation is challenged and he fails when it is tested. But, as the end approaches and Quart takes it upon himself to perform the one act that can make a difference in the bizarre situation, the reader cannot help but be somewhat thrilled that this former “good soldier” will risk his entire distinguished career to perform one ct of Faith — out of a faith he didn’t know he had. Quart redeems himself even though he isn’t really sure what that means.
This is an enjoyable read (and I sincerely wish I read Spanish well enough to read the original) with a few hilarious moments and a climax that left me in tears.
Arturo Pérez Reverte is rabidly anti-Catholic. He has showed his pro-abortion views in many articles in Spanish magazines. For example, he wrote that he would like to be a hacker like one of the character of the book commented above to introduce a virus “that supports the legalization of abortion” in the Pope’s computer. He has called Pius XII “a son of b****” who “turned a blind eye whereas Hitler murdered millions of Jews”. And his books are neither Catholic nor literature. They are the kind of bestsellers you can find in the supermarket next to Dan Brown’s. Don’t waste your money.A Spanish Reader.