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A review by zare_i
The Fencing Master by Arturo Pérez-Reverte
5.0
Set in 1860's in Spain, in the eve of what is to be known as Glorious Revolution this book tells a story about a man so much out of time he lives in that it almost cost him dearly.
Don Jaime is a man I fully understand and can relate to - professional, working as renowned fencing master (in times when fencing starts to be treated more like a sport than serious skill that can save ones life) he is as far away from everyday political life and events that he might as well live in parallel world. Only contact with the outside world is through his friends in a local bar - mix of characters that so much echo people from world over (and across ages) in time of crisis - they are all experts and they are the only ones that know the ultimate truth.
So when his life routine gets interrupted by visitation from a beautiful and enigmatic girl Don Jaime finds himself in very strange place. On one hand he is attracted to this woman but he is also acutely aware that his age (mid 50's) ensures nothing can happen here. On the other hand girl is more than capable fencer and Don Jaime gets excited because he finally gets a student that he feels he can teach his more advanced techniques. And then one day girl asks him about one of his students, local baron, and as sudden as she entered Don Jaime's life she leaves it.
What happens next is such a good detective/crime/revenge story that it got me glued to the very end. I wont go into details here because I do not want to ruin experience for others.
Characters are given so vividly - starting from the group in the bar, bartender well versed into current state of affairs and bored by once-upon-a-time-priest, now revolutionary journalist, music teacher that struggles from day to day and finally member of lower nobility, loud supporter of monarchy. Very character of Don Jaime is excellent - man who found his calling as a sword master in Paris, man living only in professional sense, without wife and kids, totally devoted to his work and students and total unknown to everyone around him. He is so disgusted by the politics of the moment that he just ignores what happens around him - if it is not work he is not interested in it. Because of this he is considered something of a weirdo and thought of as a little bit .... naive and stupid would be the correct phrase I guess. One could feel bad for Don Jaime, but in the end he chose this monk style of life and came to peace with it.
But what a surprise is there for the people coming for Don Jaime - this is a book that shows what happens when person is underestimated. Always beware the wrath of the quiet man.
Author's style is pure joy. Once I started reading the book I could not stop 'til the end.
Excellent book, highly recommended.
Don Jaime is a man I fully understand and can relate to - professional, working as renowned fencing master (in times when fencing starts to be treated more like a sport than serious skill that can save ones life) he is as far away from everyday political life and events that he might as well live in parallel world. Only contact with the outside world is through his friends in a local bar - mix of characters that so much echo people from world over (and across ages) in time of crisis - they are all experts and they are the only ones that know the ultimate truth.
So when his life routine gets interrupted by visitation from a beautiful and enigmatic girl Don Jaime finds himself in very strange place. On one hand he is attracted to this woman but he is also acutely aware that his age (mid 50's) ensures nothing can happen here. On the other hand girl is more than capable fencer and Don Jaime gets excited because he finally gets a student that he feels he can teach his more advanced techniques. And then one day girl asks him about one of his students, local baron, and as sudden as she entered Don Jaime's life she leaves it.
What happens next is such a good detective/crime/revenge story that it got me glued to the very end. I wont go into details here because I do not want to ruin experience for others.
Characters are given so vividly - starting from the group in the bar, bartender well versed into current state of affairs and bored by once-upon-a-time-priest, now revolutionary journalist, music teacher that struggles from day to day and finally member of lower nobility, loud supporter of monarchy. Very character of Don Jaime is excellent - man who found his calling as a sword master in Paris, man living only in professional sense, without wife and kids, totally devoted to his work and students and total unknown to everyone around him. He is so disgusted by the politics of the moment that he just ignores what happens around him - if it is not work he is not interested in it. Because of this he is considered something of a weirdo and thought of as a little bit .... naive and stupid would be the correct phrase I guess. One could feel bad for Don Jaime, but in the end he chose this monk style of life and came to peace with it.
But what a surprise is there for the people coming for Don Jaime - this is a book that shows what happens when person is underestimated. Always beware the wrath of the quiet man.
Author's style is pure joy. Once I started reading the book I could not stop 'til the end.
Excellent book, highly recommended.