A coded letter drives the devout monk Conrad into the bawdy, treacherous society of 13th-century Italy. His quest to discover the truth behind St. Francis’ death entangles Conrad in the lives of worldly merchants, scheming clerics, indomitable women, and even Pope Gregory X. Each step tests Conrad’s severe morality, his astute mind, and his loving heart.
The Franciscan Conspiracy
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""If Satan existed, the future of the order founded by St. Francis would afford him the most exquisite gratification. 'The net result of Saint Francis' life was to create yet one more wealthy and corrupt order, to strengthen the hierarchy and to facilitate the persecution of all who excelled in moral earnestness or freedom of thought. In view of his own aims and character, it is impossible to imagine any more bitterly ironical outcome."
About the Author
John Sack
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10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Frustrating,
This review is from: The Franciscan Conspiracy (Hardcover)
First of all, I'm getting really tired of "conspiracy" books with theological overtones. *YAWN* Haven't we had enough? I picked this one up because it was Franciscan, and I have a thing for the Spirituals (I second another reviewer's recommendation of David Burr's The Spiritual Franciscans). But this book was quite disappointing. Like many another conspiracy book, this one relentlessly builds up the hype, and then falls flat when the long-awaited secret doesn't live up to our expectations. (I won't give this one away, but it's a little bit like Dan Brown. The big secret about Jesus is that he was the ancestor of the Merovingians??? C'mon!) Is the secret that Conrad uncovers for real? maybe, maybe not (there has been a lot of ink spilled on the topic) -- but I'm not convinced it really matters. It seems that Sack has missed the point with Francis.
But there are other issues. I was constantly annoyed by inconsistencies. Why "Leo," "Conrad" and "Clara" (English/Latin) of the Italian -- Leone, Corrado, Chiara), but "Francesco" and "Girolamo" and "Giovanni" (there are many more of these)? And if you're going to set a novel in Assisi, at least get the topography right: anyone who has ever been to Assisi could tell you that no ordinary human (especially not one in bare feet!) could walk from the Portiuncula to Rivotorto to the Carceri (and back again!) in a single afternoon. It's laughable. It's also intensely aggravating to have virtually every well-known individual alive in the Mediterranean basin in the 1270s make an appearance in this novel. Did Sack really need to throw Marco Polo in there? And an adolescent Ubertino? Ok, so Ubertino makes more sense than Marco Polo. But still. It got tedious. When the future Boniface VIII appeared, I half expected Conrad to go rollicking off to the Abruzzo and make contact with Pietro da Murrone! (the future pope Celestine V) As a medievalist, I did find some parts of the book to enjoy. Sack got a lot of the little details right -- I was particularly amused by an elderly merchant being flummoxed by double-entry bookkeeping. There's even a commenda contract in here, which may be a first in literature. On a more weighty matter, however, I found the characters unconvincing as medieval. Amata might make a believable appearance on Oprah, but I don't buy her in Assisi. Moreover, we never really understand what drives Conrad, or any of the "good" Franciscans. Even Conrad's mystical experience seems out of a comic book. And that's too bad, because these are really interesting people. I can't really recommend this book. But if you do read it, do some other reading, too. The subject is well worth it.
11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Let's not go nuts,
By Lisa Marie (NV USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Franciscan Conspiracy (Hardcover)
I hope this doesn't end up another Davinci Code. This is a work of fiction people!!!
The early biographies of St. Francis were NOT destroyed. In fact, you can buy the Omnibus on this very website. His body was NOT stolen. There is NO conspiracy. If you can keep in mind that this is fiction not FACT, it's a good read. I would have rated it better if it weren't for all the people regularly led astray by such works of fiction.
9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
The most disappointing ending ever?,
This review is from: The Franciscan Conspiracy (Hardcover)
When I began this book, I was so excited I couldn't sleep. Finally, someone who had done thorough, intelligent research on Francis of Assisi and his time.
The characters are wonderful - colorful and complex, the writing style is totally absorbing. I loved it. For awhile. When I read the ending I very literally threw the book across the room. It made me think of Dorothy Parker's famous quote "This is not a book to be put down lightly. It should be hurled with great force." I felt used by the author, like he had led me down a garden path only to bludgeon me with a cynical and unfortunate agenda at the end. Without posting spoilers, I would warn anyone who is a true lover of the Franciscan legacy that this book ultimately does not respect the spirit of Francis and his teachings. Many will find it offensive. I gave it two stars because the fiction writing is commendable and there is a significant amount of research. Too bad the author couldn't have done something a little more satisfying - and maybe even respectful - with it.
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