• The Secret Diaries of Juan Luis Vives

  • A Novel
  • By: Tim Darcy Ellis
  • Narrated by: Peter Noble
  • Length: 10 hrs and 1 min
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (7 ratings)

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The Secret Diaries of Juan Luis Vives  By  cover art

The Secret Diaries of Juan Luis Vives

By: Tim Darcy Ellis
Narrated by: Peter Noble
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Publisher's summary

It is 1522, in Bruges, The Spanish Netherlands. Juan Luis Vives, a renowned academic, born into a Jewish family in Valencia in 1492 has fled Spain to avoid the fires of the Inquisition. Even here, though, he is not safe and he finds that the 'eyes and ears' of the king of Spain are far-reaching. With the net closing in, England's Sir Thomas More offers him the role of tutor to Mary, daughter of Catherine of Aragon and Henry VIII; he eagerly accepts.

While publicly navigating life as a "Nuevo Cristiano", Vives is quickly drawn into the secretive and dangerous world of London's Jewish community. Amidst a background of conflicted faith and divided loyalties, he is also torn between the love of two women; one from his own culture, one from this new world of England.

Once established in the Tudor court, Henry VIII and his queen, Catherine of Aragon separately seek Vives's assistance to support their opposed demands. He must betray one to help the other; knowing his decision could cost him his life. Whom will he choose? Will his wily skills allow him to manipulate them both? Not only his survival but that of his family and even his entire people hangs in the balance.

Based on real events, The Secret Diaries of Juan Luis Vives is "faction as fiction", and was named as one of the Top 100 Indie books of the year by Kirkus Reviews in December 2020.

Award-winning narrator Peter Noble delivers a stunning performance as Juan Luis Vives as he navigates the Tudor Court and encounters the well-known and well-loved characters of the realm of Henry VIII.

©2020 Timothy Darcy Ellis (P)2021 Timothy Darcy Ellis

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I Really Appreciate Your Account of Juan Luis Vives i March

I am a descendant of the Vives i March family. José Requeno (Infanzón, Zaragoza) married Josefa Vives. The first-generation of mixed Visigoth and Sefardí ethnicity, included Vicente Requeno i Vives, a Jesuit who was sent to exile from Zaragoza to Corsica, then to Italy, from age 17 to his late age of 58, with only a few months back in Zaragoza during the Napoleonic wars. He is known for his contributions in restoring Greek/Roman art, painting, pantomimes encrypted communications, snd no less contributing to the full restoration of the Jesuit Order. His friends described him as somewhat conflicted. He was prolific and considered an academic. I was wondering if you could connect the dots between JLViM, Ausiàs March and Vicente Requeno i Vives.

I appreciate your vivid accounts in your book. It really fills the gaps and complements my family’s account and oral tradition, although dome accounts vary but overall your account is great prose. My question is to what extent is the romantic account with Meg fictional? Understood this is a novel and it has to have elements to keep the story flowing and engaging.

I hope you keep writing. This book is a gem. The audiobook performance is outstanding.

Thank you.

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