The Relic Master

A Novel

By: Christopher Buckley

Narrated by: James Langton

Christopher Buckley’s “hilarious, bawdy, and irreverent frolic of a tale” about a sixteenth-century relic hunter and the artist Albrecht Dürer who conspire to fabricate Christ’s burial shroud reads “like Indiana Jones gone medieval” (USA TODAY).

The year is 1517. Dismas is a relic hunter who procures “authentic” religious relics for wealthy and influential clients. His two most important patrons are Frederick the Wise and soon-to-be Cardinal Albrecht of Mainz. While Frederick is drawn to the recent writing of Martin Luther, Albrecht pursues the financial and political benefits of religion and seeks to buy a cardinalship through the selling of indulgences. When Albrecht’s demands for grander relics increase, Dismas and his artist friend Dürer fabricate a shroud to sell to the unsuspecting noble. Unfortunately Dürer’s reckless pride exposes the trickery, so Albrecht puts Dismas and Dürer in the custody of four mercenaries and sends them all to steal Christ’s burial cloth (the Shroud of Chambéry), Europe’s most celebrated artifact. On their journey to Savoy where the Shroud will be displayed, they battle a lustful count and are joined by a beautiful female apothecary. It is only when they reach their destination they realize they are not alone in their intentions to acquire a relic of dubious legitimacy.

“A rollicking good time, Christopher Buckley has transported his signature wit and irreverence from the Beltway to sixteenth-century Europe in The Relic Master” (GQ). This epic quest, “as rascally and convivial as any that Mr. Buckley has written” (The Wall Street Journal), is filled with fascinating details about art, religion, politics, and science; Vatican intrigue; and Buckley’s signature wit “holds the reader till the very last page” (The New York Times Book Review).

OMG Brilliant

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Revives my faith in Western Civilization. Perfect blend of history, drama, erudition, and wit. Buckley shows off his formidable upbringing, combined with contemporary charm

What did you like best about this story?

The fastidious narration of foreign and obscure references

If you could rename The Relic Master, what would you call it?

I wouldn't change a thing

Indulge yourself!

Though it starts a little slowly, once the story gets going it is a marvelous tale. Set in the midst of the Lutheran Reformation it carries the listener into the world of relics and indulgences that sparked Luther into action. I loved it.
It is splendidly performed. One becomes entwined with the richly formed characters.

Enjoyed it a second time

I revisited this book and listened to it a second time. My rule is that if I listen to a book twice I have to give it 5 stars, so I upgraded my rating.

Intelligent and highly enjoyable

Funny, thoughtful, and offering a mostly credible picture of the time period. Very well done.

Rollicking fun and less than suble pokes at relics

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, and did. Good fun and a good tale.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Not any as it holds the interest well.

Which scene was your favorite?

The theft of the .... but that would be telling.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, I wanted to try and predict the next stage, unsuccessfully.

Any additional comments?

This is just fun. Even though the Catholic church gets exposed for what it was and still is in many ways, as Martin Luther arrives on the scene, a pope might find it fun too.