Customer Reviews

Sonora Moonlight

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Sonora Moonlight by Florence B. Weinberg is an intriguing novel interlaced with the mid 1760s historical background of the Spanish attempt to establish missions in the area of what is now Northwestern Mexico and Southern Arizona. Weinberg builds her story around the main character of Father Ygnacio Pfefferkorn, a real historical figure in this region during the 1760s. Father Ygnacio was a real priest that came as a missionary of the church to the missions of Ati, Cucurpe and Guevavi in what was then New Spain. Sonora Moonlight begins with Father Ygnacio's arrival at the Guevavi Mission at the same time as a murder of a white rancher of Irish descent is discovered. From this beginning Weinberg has her main character having to uncover the mystery of the murder as well as bring about new relationships and understanding with the Indians of the area. Having been born on the high desert country of New Mexico and explored the area as a child, the author has a unique understanding of the culture of this region as well as the practices of the Indian tribes and their use of plants for medicinal purposes. Uncovering the mystery of the murder and the various relationships between mission, ranchers and Indians makes the reader want to read on and become immersed into a unique setting of our historical past. Weinberg was a finalist for The Eric Hoffer Award with this book, and one can well understand why from the vivid descriptions and interesting characterizations as well as a compelling plot

The year is 1761 and the place is Guevavi Mission. Father Ygnacio Pfefferkorn just left his beloved Ati Mission to take over for the priest, Father Guevavi, who became too fond of Tequila. While traveling to his new mission Father Ygnacio contacted malaria and arrived at the Guevavi Mission deathly ill. He was healed by Jevho, a Pima Indian medicine man and slowly regained his strength to pick up where Father Guevavi had left off. With Father Guevavi not performing his priestly duties, several Apache raids, disease and a large amount of death Father Ygnacio had his work cut out for him. Many of the people had left the mission.

Patrick O'Meara showed up telling the tale of how he and brother did not get a long so his brother recently left to go out on his own, that is until a young Pima boy ran and told Patrick they found his brother murdered. This was not a normal murder, Michael O'Meara's body was crucified. The evidence seems to point to the Indians. Father Ygnacio Pfefferkorn places everything on the line to prove their innocence. Unfortunately by doing so, he is putting his own life in jeopardy.

One of my favorite things about reviewing books, is picking up a book I normally would not read and absolutely loving it! I admit this book appealed to this Tucson born girl, but even if you have never been out west this is a good story to read. I enjoyed reading about Father Ygnacio Pfefferkorn (a real historical figure) and learning more about the relationship between the Indians and the white man (in this case the role the Catholics had) back in the 1700's. If you enjoy history and love a good mystery I think you will enjoy Florence B. Weinberg's story Sonora Moonlight.

Father Ygnacio Pfefferkorn leaps out of the pages of the novel, Sonora Moonlight, into a magnificient performance despite his weakened physical condition from malaria. Assigned to a new mission, Guevavi, his job is to maintain the Faith of folks already members of the Church and seek additional converts. In pursuing the latter, he tries in vain to work with a local religious leader to accommodate the differencies and similarities between Catholicism and the established religion of the area. In the meantime, a few Europeans, morally adrift in this foreign land have found themselves in a lot of trouble: intermarriage, adultery, assault, and murder. Despite several attempts on his life, Father Ygnacio survives, solves the murder and straightens out some strange relationships. The overriding theme throughout the book is the struggle of a moderate--against a doctrinaire heirachy. Unique and fascinating.

Sonora Moonlight is an apt title. In moonlight, things are only partly visible, a perfect metaphor for a good mystery. But also, the soft hues of the night bring our innermost thoughts and feelings to the surface, especially those thoughts and feelings we try so hard to repress. Perhaps this is the greatest strength of Weinberg's book. In Pfefferkorn, she has not created a priest or a detective, but a man, one who finds himself disturbingly drawn to a young Irish woman, Patricia O'Meara, and to a Pima medicine man, Jehvo. Furthermore, Pfefferkorn's meditations provide interesting insights about a man who is deeply honest when trying to understand his community, his faith, and himself.
How does Pfefferkorn reconcile his physical, intellectual, and spiritual desires? How does he maintain his faith when he is drawn to the magical ways of the medicine man? And how does he fulfill his missionary duties while he journeys through the Sonora Desert in search of a murderer? To find out, read Weinberg's book as she brings these mysteries of moonlight into the broad light of day.