Book Review: Lent by Jo Walton

Lent by Jo Walton

Dominican Girolamo Savonarola lives in late 15th century Florence. He has the gift to see demons who haunt places and the even greater gift to drive them out. He's also a powerful preacher who inspires the Florentine people to live holier lives. He's successful in the spiritual life. He also sees the future and has influence over political situations. He averts a sack of Florence by Charles VIII of France and becomes a key player in the local government. He works hard to make Florence into another Ark like Noah's, saving the people inside from the corruption outside. He wants to save souls but his biggest challenge is saving his own. He is plagued by pride, though he is soon to discover a much bigger problem with saving his soul.

That discovery is surprising and intriguing. I don't want to spoil it for those who don't know because it is a very unexpected twist in the narrative. The story deals with some fascinating issues as Girolamo tries repeatedly to save Florence and himself. Free will, prayer for others, political expediency, and care for others all come into play as the story progresses. The twist is, theologically, new territory and a little too incredible. If a reader can accept the twist in its strangeness (this is a work of fiction, after all), the story plays out really well. The ending is not surprising but the trip there is fascinating and rewarding.

The book is quite interesting and makes good fodder for discussion. It's coming to A Good Story is Hard to Find podcast at the end of July 2019.

Highly recommended.