I was interested in this novel because of its setting in 17th century Japan. However, although it is considered the author’s masterpiece, it is almost completely about religious faith, Roman Catholic faith, in fact, although the particular religion doesn’t affect my lack of interest in that subject.
Although the Japanese originally welcomed the Portuguese and allowed missionaries and conversions, by 1627 when the novel begins, the shogun has closed the country’s borders and outlawed Christianity. Word comes back that Christóvão Ferreira of the Society of Jesuits is apostate in Japan.
Three of his former students cannot believe this of their beloved leader. So, Francisco Garrpe, Juan de Santa Maria, and Sebastian Rodrigues get permission to journey to Japan in hopes of finding Ferreira.
After a long and difficult journey, Garrpe and Rodrigues arrive in Japan, Santa Maria being too ill to leave Macao. In Japan, they immediately take up a life of hiding, the situation being perilous, while they wonder if they have the inner strength to be martyred. They have come from Macao with the only Japanese man they could find there, a shifty man named Kichijiro, who says he is not a Christian. However, when they reach Japan, he takes them to a village of Christians who say he is one.
Several times Rodrigues has to witness Japanese being tortured or killed for being Christians, and he begins to wonder why God remains silent while Christians suffer. His battles with doubt become the focus of the novel.
Although the novel is historically interesting, the continual mental thrashing is not, at least not to me, nor are the religious arguments between him and Japanese authorities after he is caught. However, someone interested in religion may find them so. I also found distasteful the fascination with becoming a martyr.
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I enjoyed this, despite not being very religious. I can understand why not everyone would find it interesting, though.
That’s me! I wish it had more about Japan at that time and less religion.
Ah, this is actually one of my favourite novels!! I loved Martin Scorsese’s 2016 film adaptation too (he pulled off a rare feat — a film adaptation that can fully hold its own against the book it’s based on). What I love best about the book is that, for me, it is a portrait about the complications of conviction. The priest at the heart of it starts out so sure of himself and his beliefs, but as the novel progresses he realizes more and more that things are never quite so simple as they seem. I found that tension in the novel utterly compelling.
I’m sorry to hear it didn’t quite connect with you, but that’s the beauty of reading. Sometimes it clicks with us, and sometimes it doesn’t! I’m glad to see you feature it anyway.
I understood that was going on, but you put it really well. Thanks!
Hmm, I sometimes find faith fascinating as a subject though I’m not religious myself. For example, I usually enjoy Graham Greene’s Catholic books. But sometimes if it’s exclusively the focus I can find it dull and I share your antipathy to the idea of aspiring to martyrdom. Not sure about this one – I might try it sometime…
As Russophile points out, it’s about conviction. But it was a little too focused on mental thrashing for me.