The Troublesome Offspring of Cardinal Guzman

by Louis De Bernières

Paperback, 1997

Status

Available

Call number

823.914

Publication

Minerva (1997), Edition: New Ed, 400 pages

Description

When the economy of his small South American country collapses, President Veracruz joins his improbable populace of ex-soldiers, former guerillas, unfrocked priests and reformed - though by no means inactive - whores, in a bizarre search for sexual fulfilment. But for Cardinal Guzman, a man tormented by his own private demons, their stupendous, hedonistic fiestas represent the epicentre of all heresies. Heresies that must be challenged with a horrifying new inquisition destined to climax in a spectacular confrontation. . .

User reviews

LibraryThing member Cecilturtle

A very lively and colourful tale in a remote little South American village; reality ebbs and flows which makes it even more exciting and attractive. Wonderful read!

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LibraryThing member leahdawn

Not as good as the first book of the triology (the War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts), but not as appalingly awful as the second book (Senor Vivo and the Coca Lord). This one falls somewhere in the middle, but still fails to recapture the charm of the first book.

LibraryThing member lucthegreat

Third book in the trilogy, but the first that I read. Love the magic realism, the characters, the plot, the insight, the satire (which, as I believe good satire should, takes a back seat to the compelling story). Beautiful.

LibraryThing member libgirl69

So much better than Captain Correlli. Forget that book and read this series. Quirky, intelligent, mysterious; well rewritten. Nearest series I can think of is Dr Siri by Colin Cotterill.

LibraryThing member BookConcierge

The third and final installment in this author’s “Latin American Trilogy” returns to the village of Cochadebajo, in the mountains of an unnamed South American country (presumably Columbia). Many of the characters from earlier novels reappear, including Dionisio Vivo, the General, the

President, various rebels, and the giant panthers. De Bernières also gives us a demented Cardinal and his horde of fanatical followers, bent on destroying those who refuse to adhere to their version of the faith.

I love these books. I love his clever writing and vivid imagery, the outlandish plot points, and outrageous scenarios. While I am not a great fan of satire, I enjoy this kind of novel which satirizes and skewers political and religious fervor run amok. There are passages that had me laughing aloud, and others that completely horrified me.

The reader who can suspend disbelief and tolerate a great deal of magical occurrences will be delighted. However, I definitely recommend you begin with the first book in the trilogy: The War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts.

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