The Relic Master

A Novel

De: Christopher Buckley

Narrado por: James Langton

From New York Times best-selling author Christopher Buckley, "one of the funniest writers in the English language" (Tom Wolfe), a compelling and hilarious adventure featuring a 16th-century relic hunter and his best friend, Albrecht Dürer, who conspire to forge the Shroud of Turin.

The year is 1517. Dismas is a relic hunter: one who procures "authentic" religious relics for wealthy and influential clients. His two most important patrons are Frederick the Wise, elector of Saxony; 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 ambitions increase his demands for grander and more marketable relics, Dismas and his artist friend, Dürer, conspire to manufacture a shroud to sell to the unsuspecting noble. Unfortunately Dürer's reckless pride exposes Albrecht's newly acquired shroud as a fake, so Albrecht puts Dismas and Dürer in the custody of four loutish mercenaries and sends them all to steal Christ's burial cloth (the Shroud of Chambéry), Europe's most celebrated relic.

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 that they realize they are not alone in their intentions to acquire a relic of dubious legitimacy. Filled with fascinating details about art, religion, politics, and science; Vatican intrigue; and Buckley's signature wit, The Relic Master is a delightfully rich and intelligent comic adventure.

©2015 Christopher Taylor Buckley (P)2015 Simon & Schuster

Reseñas de la Crítica

"[James] Langton carries the narrative portions of the audiobook well with strong projection and great pacing. His pronunciations of German, Latin, and other languages roll smoothly into the story. His character voices are unique, consistent, and well chosen in tone." ( AudioFile)

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.

Always Best to Do Religious Reformations Before TV

Reformations are much too nasty for the squeamish. Had we waited there would have been no WASPs. Buckley has written a splendid lampoon of the Shroud of Turin and attempts to steal it in the early 1500s. A sharp turn near the end is a bit of a surprise.

Good Listen

Starts slow but evolves into typical Buckley satire. It is possible that I don't know enough of the history to understand some of the humor in the first half if the book. The second half was very good.

Suffice to say... I did not want this book to end!

I wished Mr. Buckley would (could) do an entire series on Dismas... the Relic Master. The voice of James Langton is perfection!!!

engaging

engaging and fun history and adventure! it kept me engaged the whole way through it.

Definitely a guilty pleasure ...

Any additional comments?

Thoroughly enjoyed this irreverent take on the relics and indulgences business of pre-Reformation Europe. Well written ... funny as hell ... and the narration was spot on. Thank you, Mr. Buckley and Mr. Langton, for the laughs.