Customer Reviews

St. Agatha's Breast: A Novel

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

 

 

This book is wonderful. The plot revolves around stolen artwork from a monastary in Rome. No one is pious, chaste or virtuous. Everyone has secrets, and the cast of characters are bawdy, funny and licentious. I was surprised with the accessability of these men - one of the best parts of the book is the e-mails!!!

This novel is so far above the typical art-heist books being cranked out these days. The superb, comic writing reminds one of the best work of Ngaio Marsh. The characters in their manifold perversities, problems, and schemes are deeply satisfying. Van Adler's critical insights to the art history profession are right on target. So who is this Van Adler anyway? It's hard to believe this is really a debut novel. It seems more likely that it comes from an experienced literary comic novelist who has, for the fun of it, turned his or hand to the genre of mystery.

This book, and the sequel, are delightful little gems. Yes, as with others, I would love to know the real "T.C. Van Adler", an interesting person I should think. I cannot speak for the Latin, but the English usage is complex and new words abound. The plot is superficial, the novel not deep, but the writing style is enchanting.

One chapter - and all are short - is a wonderful description of the decaying building. Closing my eyes, I could picture this edifice along one of the small Roman streets.

This is a book to keep and re-read for sheer pleasure from time to time. It is fun. It would have five stars had the plot been a bit more convincing, but then again, perhaps the plot is close to truth, and I simply do now how close it may be!

After reading other reviews of St Agatha's Breast, I realize I've been taking this book too literally. On the surface, it's about a morally bankrupt monastery full of thieves, perverts, murderers, and grotesques -- on the whole, a very unsavory lot. However, if you look at it as absurdist, then I suppose it makes for an entertaining read. I confess (no pun intended) that the frequent references to pedophilia corroborates my suspicion that the practice and acceptance of same was not a deep, dark secret, that many, many people and clergy have known from time immemorial that children have been abused by priests. T.C. Adler is a pseudonym who, according to the book jacket, is "very experienced in both the worlds of art and the Church." Why the anonymity? Sorry, but had I not picked up a more wholesome novel while reading this one, I would have finished it.

The blurb was enticing, and I like that old Simon Raven, Iain Pears kind of stuff anyway, and there was also a gay theme. Looked good.

The author, hiding behind a pseudonym, was an art historian, aparently, and possibly a high-up in the Catholic Church; a person of education, promising an educated read.

I have to say that I gave up some time after page 100 when I encountered about the fortieth mistake: fons et origens, a Latin phrase which ought to be fons et origo, meaning source, origin, fount of all knowledge, or whatever. The book is full of little phrases and expressions in Latin, Italian and Spanish. Unfortunately there are far too many errors in these to inspire the reader's confidence, which in my case was severely jolted on page 9 or thereabouts, where the expression 'free reign' was used. Mr or Miss Van Adler ought to know that the expression is 'free rein', and is derived from riding horses, and has nothing to do with being a queen.

The plot is highly unlikely, and not really very entertainingly expounded. I immediately wondered how Pius could understand what Manolo and Antonio were saying to each other, given that they speak to each other in Basque, a language which, curiously enough, does not appear erroneously scattered anmong the paragraphs of the book as with the Latin, etc. (see above).

There are also some British people, who speak in extremely odd, unBritish ways, for the author is from the United States, and despite an excellent topographical knowledge of Rome, and for all I know, Maastrich as well, he/she does not quite manage to capture the way in which the English and the Scots talk.

I rarely, having a completion neurosis, leave a book unfinished, but this one has defeated me. The other reviews are quite mystifying and I can only conclude that the reviewers were taken in by the blurb, as I initially was.

St. Agatha's Breast by T.C. Van Adler was sadly, a waste of time. The only redeeming quality to the book is the plight of preserving the artistic treasures of Rome. All too often because of corruption, greed and apathy, many of Rome's finest artistic landmarks and works get lost to oblivion. Another illumnating aspect is you see how depraved some priests are and all the cases of priests abusing children don't seem as far fetched when you read this book. The plot was convoluted and the characters totally un-sympathetic. I enjoy adult stories like the next person, but the titillation went overboard for the sake of sensationalism.

This is a beautifully written, deliciously funny book. Once I realized it was OK to laugh, I often chuckled aloud - a bit like laughing aloud in a church, given the cast of characters and the setting! I especially appreciated the short chapters (easy to pick the book up in odd moments) and the skillful way in which expectations are raised at the end of each chapter (difficult to put down). I was always eager to find out what could possibly happen next - the mark of a good writer. I hope T.C. Van Adler will delight us with more publications

Murder and mayhem stalk the randy monks of the abbey of San Redempto. There's a whole lot of Machiavellian plotting going on in this original, and amusing, tale of the disappearance of a set of paintings, possibly by Poussin, from the monastery.

Will Brother Brocard outsmart the villainous Brother Otger? Will the transsexual art historian Zlinka get his/her way? How does Brother Bertie end up servicing the porn site ItalStud.com? Do they have any proofreaders at all at St Martin's Press/Alyson Books?

The answer to that last question is evidently a resounding "no" - this is the kind of book in which plazas 'team' with activity, the bad guys give 'free reign' to their evil instincts, until they end up getting their 'just desserts'. But if you're willing to overlook these minor irritants, this is a fun, funny, art heist book.

Loved it from start to finish. Great characters and plot. Van Adler did his homework - art history, monastic life (could it really be like that) and so many twists and turns. Can't wait for the next novel.

It is rare that you find a book with such intense character development. T.C. Van Adler draws you into each person's psyche through the use of exceptionally crafted, descriptive language.
It is like peeling away layers to delve deeper into the mystery of not only what has happened in this mystery linking religion and art, but why. A compelling, must read book, almost impossible to put down.