The Pope's Rhinoceros

Lawrence Norfolk's vivid imagination goes amok in this, his second novel. The characters are fantastic and utterly believable. His knowledge of early 16th century Europe and the religious and political strife therein make for a lovely canvas upon which this hefty tome is created.

Lawrence Norfolk is one of the only modern masters of language and storytelling we have, and I believe that we should not only appreciate it but praise it as well. As with his first novel "Lepmpriere's Dictionary", which was a story of strange twisting plots and a great reservoir for historical mystery, "The Pope's Rhinoceros" is only the best book to follow. It of course has its strange tangents that we, as an audience, are learning to be the style of the great author, and minor plots that boggle the mind even after the last page has been read. There are things too reminiscent of Lempriere's such as the character of Septimus whom we are so intrigued by but so uninformed about, we get a new view on this angelic character and only find that we are closer to understanding without even a new hint as to what it means. His, Norfolk's, ability to write so detailed on certain things as the way of life of a fish in the sea, a colony of rats, or the history of a river or strange occurrences on remote islands, is impeccable. To achieve through writing alone, an enchantment that will devour your reader, without even the elements of a story is not an easy task and yet Norfolk produces it in the blink of an eye, and makes it appear all too natural. I think anyone would terribly enjoy this book, and those who would not are just those who become aggrivated when a piece of work forces them to think a little. The only negative of the book that I can even fathom is that he has so few books under his belt that when you finish Lempriere's and the Pope's who will be left waiting impatienly, clawing at and climbing the walls, for his next work to be published.

"El rinoceronte del Papa" es una construcción novelesca impecable. Toda novela es una creación; todo novelista es un dios. Lawrence Norfolk ha creado una obra sin mancha. Personajes llenos de vida, una trama siempre viva, un manejo exquisito del lenguaje, un final increíblemente satisfactorio.

This is one of the most exciting novels I have read. Norfolk's ability to describe each character is amazing. But the way he builds, twists and develops the story is of uncommon grace!

It needs a genius to elaborate on a small historical incident in such a sophisticated way like Norfolk does in this novel. Have you read "Watermusic" by T.C. Boyle? Outstandingly great historical novel based in Europe, especially for an American author. "Foucault's Pendulum" by Umberto Eco? Doubtlessly a masterpiece of this genre. "Earthly Powers" by the unequaled master of the historical novel, Anthony Burgess? Well, Norfolk has yet to show if he really is worth being compared to the greatest authors of our time, but "The Pope's Rhinoceros" is definitely one of the best novels of the last years. It blends all different elements (and a lot of historical information) into one big, entertaining story - you encounter love, religion and bloodshed, phantasy and a number of unforgettable characters. This is Norfolk at his best and even if you have not really enjoyed "Lemprière's Dictionary", give "The Pope's Rhinoceros" a try.