'The Secret Supper' by Javier Sierra is a historical thriller set in the late 15th century, revolving around Father Agostino, an inquisitor investigating coded messages accusing Leonardo Da Vinci of heresy related to his painting The Last Supper. The novel delves into secrets, codes, symbology, and 15th-century culture and politics, blending real historical figures with fictional characters to create a tale of murder, mystery, and religious intrigue.

The narrative follows Father Agostino's quest to unravel the identity of the message sender, decipher the clues hidden in Da Vinci's masterpiece, and uncover a murderer in the region. As the story progresses, it explores themes of art history, religious and political intrigue, and presents a unique interpretation of the symbolism behind The Last Supper, offering readers a captivating blend of mystery and historical fiction.

Characters:

Characters include a mix of historical and fictional figures, but many readers found them difficult to distinguish and less relatable.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style combines dense historical detail with a scholarly approach, although some readers find it less engaging compared to more dynamic thrillers.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative explores the mysteries of Leonardo's painting through a plot filled with coded messages, heretical themes, and the political landscape of 15th-century Italy.

Setting:

The setting is late 15th century Milan, characterized by rich historical and cultural details amidst political turmoil.

Pacing:

The pacing is notably slower than typical thrillers, with some readers expressing disappointment in its lack of climactic payoff.

I cannot recall a more dangerous and tangled puzzle than the one I was called upon to solve in the New Year of 1497, when the duchy of Ludovico il Moro lay in its painful death throes, while the Papal...

Notes:

The Secret Supper is set in 1497, during the time Leonardo da Vinci was finishing his painting, The Last Supper.

The novel features many real historical characters alongside fictional ones, making it rich in detail and accuracy.

Father Agostino Leyre, the main character, is an inquisitor investigating heretical messages connected to da Vinci's work.

Themes of Cathar heresy and the conflicts within the Church are central to the plot.

Unlike the fast-paced thrill of Dan Brown's works, this novel is described as slower and more scholarly.

Sierra integrates political struggles and the tension between Rome and Milan into the storyline.

Readers are drawn in by the puzzles and mysteries involving coded messages in artworks.

Although it follows the same themes as The Da Vinci Code, it is regarded as a more legitimate and less sensational approach to historical fiction.

The book explores the significance of symbols within The Last Supper, hinting at a deeper meaning behind da Vinci's painting.

Sierra's work garnered popularity in Europe and hit the U.S. bestseller list, marking him as a notable Spanish author.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book contains discussions and depictions of murder, heresy, and religious persecution, which may be sensitive topics for some readers.

From The Publisher:

Tightly paced and atmospheric, The Secret Supper is a dazzling historical thriller with a unique vision of both Leonardo da Vinci's genius and his masterpiece - which you will never look at the same way again.

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2 comment(s)

ColorfulLeo92

1 month

I decided to DNF this one at 46 %. I'm feeling a slight burn out/slump coming at decide to get rid of books that doesn't work well for me. Need to focus on books i actually want to finish and not just finish books for the sake of it. Maybe I'll pick this up in a later date

FRED OLIVER

Liked It

4 months

What makes the novel intriguing is its depth in exploring historical secrets, conspiracies, and art symbolism.. If you like a meticulously crafted plot with rich historical layers, The Secret Supper could be a captivating read for you.

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The Secret Supper

Javier Sierra