Silence

This historical novel by Shusako Endo examines the meaning of faith, the problem of doubt, and the message of Christianity. A quibble centers around the concept contained in the title: The priest who resists apostatizing and who sees Japanese tortured and killed because of his resistance is bewildered by and eventually angry at the "silence" of God in the face of these travails. But isn't this a primitive position for a trained Jesuit, even considering the action takes place in the 17th century? What would the much-desired absence of this "silence" look like? A miracle from the heavens, say a bolt of lightning killing Inoue, a Japanese magistrate? It seems a false choice when silence is framed in this way, with no real answer possible. But elsewhere, the theological dilemmas and the weaknesses (and heroism) of humans are presented in a deeply affecting way.  

Almost Blue

This detective story set in Bologna provides some suspense and local color. It doesn't leave a strong appetite, however, for more by the author, Carlo Lucarelli. 

The Autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini

The so-called artistic temperament reaches its apotheosis with the great Benvenuto Cellini. Headstrong, dedicated, and supremely gifted, this Florentine will take guff from no man — be he king, pope, duke, artistic rival, or street tough. His adventures make wannabe tough guy artists like Hemingway look like prim schoolmarms. The highlights of this timeless account include Cellini's imprisonment and escape in Rome for murder and the casting of his great bronze, Perseus. Along the way he gets into many arguments, draws his dagger, impregnates a model, suffers heartbreak and sickness, and endures.