If we are to believe the rather disheartening publishing statistics which state that the average American purchases only one book per year, then according to a blurb from BookPage, this should be that very book.

It even goes on to say that if one can afford the luxury of two books, they should read this one twice as it is that good.

Hm!

This particular novel tells the story of a Vatican investigator who is dispatched to Seville to determine who is hacking into the pope's computer and why two individuals have died mysteriously at a local church that is slated for demolition. However, at 375 pages, it is overly long with a meandering plot that seems to lose its way at times. There are also annoying subplots that do little to enhance the overall narrative. The characters, whom we are supposed to find both intriguing and super sexy, unfortunately, fall short of this mark and are not all that interesting.

The protagonist-investigator is a celibate 40-something priest with movie star good looks. Yet, he is constantly preoccupied with thoughts of beautiful young women's long legs and heavy firm breasts, and eventually allows himself to be seduced by a married woman - just this once. The author seems to wallow in misogyny with various derogatory remarks. For instance, one woman says, "It's hard, you know, for any woman to realize that she's lost her looks for good." The hot priest thinks, "She must have been attractive once," about a woman in her 40s. People assume that a 40-something woman, a nun, must be a lesbian because she is slim with a boyish figure and has a gray braid. A 69-year-old woman is repeatedly described as wrinkled as a raisin, hopelessly ancient looking, and "remarkably bright and vivacious for her age."

I had previously read one other novel by this author, but I will not bother with any more in the future.

From all the Arturo Perez Reverte books I've read, this one stands out as the least interesting. I can't help but wonder if it has something to do with the fact that I read it in English. His usually vivid vocabulary and the way he crafts phrases with such elegance, as if others were flourishing swords, seems to be lost in translation.

This book delves deep into the inner workings of the Catholic Church and how they handle rogue priests who break the vow of "obedience" due to their firm belief that they are doing God's work and that the Church's powers are more interested in power, control, and of course, profit.

It provides an interesting account of the different levels of the priesthood and the various chapters of the Church, as well as which ones hold which power and decision-making authority.

The story begins with the hacking of the Pope's computer, where a message is left describing a small, dilapidated, and moldy church in Seville, Spain. This church is about to be torn down and sold, despite still providing valuable service to a few downtrodden people by an old and down-to-earth priest who has no other interest in life but to serve his flock.

A young and handsome priest is sent to investigate while remaining neutral. This priest discovers many little mysteries and is partly hindered by an old nemesis, a severe and conservative cardinal, and partly influenced by a beautiful aristocratic married woman who is a devout follower of the Church of the Lady of the Tears.

The lady in question has a vested interest in this church for several reasons. Firstly, it was her family who donated the land and built the church centuries ago, and her ancestors still rest in the catacombs of the Lady of Tears church. Secondly, because of her favorite aunt's story, a Romeo and Juliet love story in which her aunt's young and intrepid lover, a poor man who goes to make his fortune as a pirate and comes back too late with the dowry of pearls that become the tears on the church's statue of the Virgin Mother. And thirdly, because she fully believes in the priest's best intentions.

The lady's husband is a self-made man whose desire to be a top banker and socialite drives his wife away and whose will to succeed leads him to resort to all things immoral and shady.

What follows is an intricate tale of mystery, computer hacking, gambling, stolen items, explosions, kidnapping, and murder. Each step taken tips the next event in a domino effect that eventually gets out of hand. It's up to the Church to set things right.

Favorite Quotes:

\\"This modest church was far removed from the vulgarity of Technicolor religions where anything went - open-air arenas, giant television screens, Goebbels' methods, rock concerts, the dialectic of the World Cup, and electronic sprinklers for holy water. Like the forgotten pawns who didn't know whether there was still a King to fight for, some pieces chose their square - a place where they could die. Father Ferro had chosen his, and Lorenzo Quart, experienced headhunter for the Roman Curia, didn't find it difficult to understand. Perhaps for that reason he now had doubts, sitting in the small, dilapidated, lonely church that the old priest had made into his tower: a refuge where he could defend the last of his flock from the prowling wolves outside.\\" (pg. 175)

\\"Father Ferro frowned. \\"What does it matter whether I have faith or not? Those who come to me have faith. That is justification enough for the existence of Our Lady of the Tears. And it is no coincidence that it's a church of the Baroque, which was the art of the Counter-Reformation, which declared, 'Don't think, leave that to the theologians. Admire the carvings, the gilding, the sumptuous altars, the passion plays that have been the essential means of entrancing the masses since the time of Aristotle... Be dazzled by the glory of God. Too much analysis robs you of hope. See us as the solid rock in which to take refuge from the roaring torrent. The truth kills you before your time.\\" (pg. 214)

She spoke so quietly that Quart could hardly make out her words. \\"I belong to a breed that is dying out, and I am fully aware of it. It's luck, really, because there's no longer a place for people like me and my family, or for memories like mine... Or for beautiful, tragic stories like Carlotta Bruner and Captain Xaloc.\\" The ember of her cigarette glowed. \\"I'm just waging my own personal war, defending my space.\\" She spoke louder and addressed her words directly to Quart. \\"When the time comes for me to die, I'll accept my end with a clear conscience. Like a soldier who surrenders only when he's fired his last bullet. Having done my duty to the name I bear and to the things I love. That includes Our Lady of the Tears and Carlota's memory.\\" (pg.241)

In this contemporary mystery intertwined with a historical element, a hacker has infiltrated the Vatican's computer system, leaving a cryptic message for the Pope.

The message pertains to a 17th-century church in Seville that is slated for demolition to make way for a housing development. Father Lorenzo Quart is dispatched to conduct an investigation. He is tasked with uncovering the secrets of the church and identifying the author of the message.

Quart discovers that the church is Our Lady of the Tears, and disturbingly, two people have met with mysterious deaths within its walls. The storyline closely follows Father Quart's inquiries as he delves deeper into the谜团.

The central theme of this story revolves around the role of the church in society and in the spiritual lives of its congregants. I found the historical segments to be quite engaging, as they added depth and context to the narrative. However, the plot is not without its flaws. There are a few holes that leave the reader with unanswered questions, and the resolution feels somewhat lacking.

Overall, it ended up being a bit of a mixed bag for me. I picked up this book based on my love for Perez-Reverte's The Painter of Battles, which I highly recommend. In comparison, this is a more straightforward mystery that, unfortunately, does not quite live up to expectations in the end.

The story is beautiful and engaging right from the start. The details regarding certain liturgical aspects really stand out, showing the writer's extensive research on Catholic rituals.

The setting is extremely beautiful. However, it's a pity that some overly excessive and repetitive descriptions tend to lengthen the narrative just when the text should flow smoothly like a full river on its own.

This might cause a slight hindrance to the overall reading experience, as the reader could potentially get a bit tired of the repeated descriptions.

Nevertheless, the overall charm and the interesting exploration of the liturgical world still make the story quite captivating and worthy of attention.

With a bit of refinement in the descriptive part, it could become an even more outstanding piece of work.

This is a book that is quite enjoyable, especially because of the way it is written and the descriptions it gives of the various places of interest in Sevilla.

As a downside, I feel that it starts out as a thriller, with Quart in the role of the investigator, but the police plot is soon abandoned for a plot that mainly revolves around faith and how each character lives it, so that finally everything is resolved in a hasty manner.

It is worth reading for the exploration it makes of the politics within the Catholic Church and also for the tribute to the city of Sevilla. The author does an excellent job of bringing the city to life through vivid descriptions, making the reader feel as if they are actually walking the streets of Sevilla. The characters are well-developed and their struggles with faith add depth and complexity to the story. Despite the flaws in the plot, the overall experience of reading this book is a positive one.

La Piel del Tambor is undoubtedly the worst novel by Arturo Pérez Reverte that I have read, light-years away from, for example, El Club Dumas.

The characters are so archetypal that they are as predictable as they are insipid. There is a Sevillian woman named (of course) Macarena, and a priest detective who, yes, you can imagine, just like in El Pájaro Espino... The author has shown no interest in reflecting what could be the inner life of a priest - this is not Bernanos' "Diary of a Country Priest". On the contrary, the protagonist is as flat as almost everything in this novel, full of typical clichés.

As for the plot, suffice it to say that its resolution did not arouse the slightest interest in me. Instead, I recommend El Club Dumas or La Tabla de Flandes.

These other works offer more depth, more engaging characters, and more captivating storylines. They are examples of Pérez Reverte's true talent as a writer, while La Piel del Tambor falls short in almost every aspect.

It's a disappointment, especially when compared to his other masterpieces. I hope that in the future, Pérez Reverte will return to the form that made him so beloved by readers.

Misteriosa, eficaz, sólida...

Another excellent "adventure novel" by Pérez Reverte. It is evident that he knows (and loves) Sevilla. He insists on the general disbelief of the characters, which becomes a "genre mark" of his novels.

The story unfolds with a captivating plot that keeps the readers on the edge of their seats. The detailed descriptions of Sevilla add a vivid and immersive element to the narrative.

Pérez Reverte's writing style is engaging and skillful, making it easy for the readers to get lost in the story. The characters are well-developed and their actions and decisions drive the plot forward.

Overall, this is a must-read for fans of adventure novels and those who appreciate a well-written story set in a beautiful and historic city like Sevilla.

An enjoyable thriller/mystery, although not the most compelling ever.

The story-line itself is not that dramatic. It is a relatively "quiet" story about a church doomed to be torn down and the people who are trying to save it from that fate.

However, the author delves a bit into dealing with the philosophical, existential and moral questions faced by the characters. This adds an interesting layer to the narrative.

The book moved more slowly than I was expecting for a thriller. But what kept me engaged were the vivid and interesting characters. None of them were all that likeable initially, but they tended to grow on me as the book progressed.

The main character, a priest doing investigation for the Vatican, becomes more complex as the story unfolds. He faces his own breaches of faith and moral involvement in the situation.

I was surprised by the big reveal at the end of who the hacker was. But I felt like it wasn't really tied all that well to the rest of the story. The book was framed by this hacker, but he/she (not revealing which!) was not an important part of the main story in the end. Overall, it was an interesting read with its own strengths and weaknesses.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story. However, it was not so much a traditional whodunnit, despite having mysterious deaths and at least one criminal conspiracy. Instead, it delved deeply into the characters, their pasts, and their interactions. In fact, two individuals who had been deceased for approximately a century also played significant roles in the narrative.

Beyond that, the story incorporated Vatican politics and a great deal of local flavor specific to Seville. Published in 1995, the computer technology described within the book is understandably quite dated by now. Nevertheless, it wasn't entirely terrible considering the time period in which it was written.

I'm uncertain whether it was the translator or the original writing that caused some of the descriptions and dialogue to feel a bit wooden compared to the author's other novels. This book boasted a plethora of interesting characters, but I particularly took a shine to the trio of small-time criminals. There was Don Ibrahim, a swindler, storyteller, and fake lawyer. Then there was El Potro del Mantelete, a boxer and former bullfighter, and La Nina Punales, a flamenco singer. Although they were crooks, in their own unique ways, they were the most likable characters in the book. Overall, I would rate this book 3 stars.

The Seville Communion is a captivating story that begins with a rather astonishing event. Someone manages to hack into the Pope's personal computer with the intention of pleading for the salvation of a small church, Our Lady of the Tears, located in central Seville.

This church is not only small and in a state of disrepair but is also led by an elderly and old-fashioned priest, Father Ferro. Sadly, it is slated for demolition. The reason behind this is that Bank Cartujano, along with its greedy vice chairman, is working in cahoots with the local archbishop. They aim to make a fortune by purchasing the property at a fraction of its true value.

In response, the Vatican dispatches Father Lorenzo Quart to Seville to uncover the identity of the hacker. During the course of the investigation, we are introduced to a plethora of memorable characters. There is the bank's chairman and vice chairman, the vice chairman's beautiful estranged wife and her mother, a nun from California who is dedicated to restoring the church, and a diverse range of clerics and others.

Like Father Quart, we too become embroiled in the struggle over the church. The story keeps us on the edge of our seats until the very last moment. As the various plot lines are finally resolved, we have not only been entertained but have also learned a great deal about the characters, especially Father Quart. In fact, The Seville Communion has a depth that sets it apart from many other mystery novels.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in a good read. It offers a rich and engaging narrative that will surely keep you hooked from start to finish.

The original article:
The importance of recycling cannot be overemphasized. It helps to conserve natural resources, reduce waste, and protect the environment. Recycling also saves energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. By recycling, we can make a positive impact on the planet and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.

Expanded article:

The importance of recycling simply cannot be overemphasized.

It plays a crucial role in conserving our precious natural resources. By recycling materials such as paper, plastic, and metal, we can reduce the need to extract and process new raw materials, thereby preserving the earth's finite resources.

Additionally, recycling helps to significantly reduce waste. Instead of sending large amounts of waste to landfills or incinerators, recycling diverts these materials and gives them a new life.

This not only helps to reduce the environmental impact of waste disposal but also saves valuable landfill space.

Another significant benefit of recycling is the reduction in energy consumption. Recycling often requires less energy than producing new materials from scratch. For example, recycling aluminum cans uses only a fraction of the energy needed to mine and process new aluminum.

This reduction in energy consumption leads to a corresponding reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, which helps to combat climate change and protect the environment.

In conclusion, by recycling, we can make a positive and lasting impact on the planet. It is our responsibility to take an active role in recycling and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.

A book filled with anti-climaxes and an unpredictable ending, very much in the style of Arturo. Perhaps the most colorful and "Sevillian" characters are the trio of hapless crooks who put themselves at the service of another crook (also hapless), who in turn is in the service of a banker, no less a crook...

The story unfolds with a series of events that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. The anti-climaxes add an element of surprise and make the book even more engaging. The characters are well-developed and their interactions are both humorous and thought-provoking.

The final imprevisível ties up all the loose ends in a way that is both unexpected and satisfying. It leaves the reader with a sense of wonder and a desire to read more of Arturo's work. Overall, this is a book that is sure to delight fans of mystery and crime fiction.