The Franciscan Conspiracy

By: John Sack

Narrated by: Geoffrey Blaisdell

This work of fiction explores the great 13th-century mystery: Why was the body of St. Francis stolen and hidden? A multilayered, intricately plotted tale develops as the Franciscan Order destroys all early biographies of Francis by his closest disciples in favor of a sanitized biography of the powerful St. Bonaventure.

The story begins 30 years after Francis's death, when Father Leo, Francis' closest friend, is dying. Bound to a vow of silence, Leo sends a cryptic message to Conrad, his own favorite student, connecting him with an unlikely companion, 16-year-old Sister Amata. The two begin to search for the truth about St. Francis, a truth that will shake the faith of the masses to the core and bring into question the foundation of the Franciscan Order.

©2005 John Sack (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

definitely not Da Vinci code

I disliked the "movie-script like" Dan Brown novel but I did enjoy this listen. It is a quiet "mystery," quietly told -- more about the setting and times (and underpinned with a love of Franciscan spirituality and legends) rather than a fast paced whodunnit. It's more in the tradition of "The Name of the Rose". There may be some anachronisms of character, but "Franciscan Conspiracy" is a work of historical fiction with religious undertones, and like most novels, not for everyone.

It's no DaVinci Code but...

I think that the title alone, "The Franciscan Conspiracy" had me thinking that this would be a book similar to The DaVinci Code in pace and style and intent. It is not that, the book is less adventurous, less intriguing and ultimately less successful. It took A LONG time for me to get engaged with the book, but about half way through then characters and pacing began to mesh. In a sense, the book became more a love story than a novel of intrigue -- and St Francis himself did not really hover as a presence in the way, to make the parallel, that DaVinci himself does in the "Code." As historical fiction I'm no expert on Franciscan times, but I didn't quite...trust the content-- no reason why, just discomfort with motivations, characters. I did end up enjoying the last half of the book- - but come away with an ...it's okay, perhaps I would have been more favorably disposed if I hadn't read the title and the descriptive paragraph and figured I was in for a more gripping adventure.

Interesting Story Poor Recording

If you like historical fiction, especially with a religious twist, this is an interesting story. If not, might not be the best for you--I happen to really like historical and religious stories so I found this fascinating. The downside was that there are some very strange things in the recording quality--spliced in bits that almost sound like a different reader.

Very Interesting Plot

I must admit, the plot was a surprise, a bit suggestive of Dan Brown's DaVinci Code. None of the high speed thrills & chases, but I still think I enjoyed this one more. It is full of some delightful imagery of the times and of the motivations for the religeous communities of the next generation of St. Francis' teachings. I recommend it without hesitation, but don't expect the 20th Century speed and energy. This is a moderately paced but delightfully rewarding story for those who like a bit of mystery and a lot of historical fiction. I think most will enjoy it just as I did, especially if you are familiar with the story of St. Francis and the politics that troubled him unto his death, and, it seems, beyond.

Enjoy it. I did.

Not brother cadfael

Dull reading, dull story, dull Catholic retoric. dull dull dull.