The Fencing Master

Rating:
Summary: What's the point?
Review: The Fencing Master is a demonstration on how "simple" it is to write a novel. The recipe is: focus on a central character, add a couple of strong supporting figures, mix in a bowl of historical setting, and add the spices of love/passion, intrigue, guilt, and honor. However, as in the kitchen, a recipe is only as good as the chef that prepares it.

Arturo Perez-Reverte deserves the accolade "chef" He created a tasteful and satisfying mystery/thriller that anyone seeking a good read will certainly enjoy. While most reviewers are quick to point out the moral aspects of the novel, one hopes that Perez-Reverte intuitively constructed the story without trying to deliver a message. If the reader gains moral inferences, so be it. More important is that he has written a compelling entertainment.

Readers might enhance their pleasure as we did by "casting" the characters for a movie as each entered the story line. While long gone stars such as Errol Flynn or Douglas Fairbanks leap to mind, there are any number of current actors who could admirably fill the roles.

Rating:
Summary: A novel of texture.
Review: Arturo Pérez-Reverte's 1988 novel, mystically casts interesting lights and shadows on the characters of Don Jaime Astarloa, the aging yet regal fencing master and the femme-fatale, Doña Adela de Otero. The story's uncomplicated thread of historical cause-and-effect regarding Spain's social and political mores of the period will keep the reader captivated. Don Jaime, lives to some degree, in all of us.

Rating:
Summary: fencing master long on characterization, short on mystery
Review: Arturo Perez-Reverte has developed a well-de served reputation in literary circles, one we hope to see continue. The Fencing Master, while not as good or as complicated as his other novels ,is nevertheless an enjoyable read, taking its readers to a time and place not widely known to American readers- Madrid of the 1860's. The pro tagonist, fencing master Don Jaime, is a throw back to an earlier time, when the blade was more important than the pistol. It is the character in this novel, rather than the mystery, which takes precedent. The latter is rather simplistic; anyone who can't identify the killer three-quar ters through the novel should hang up his deer stalker. But Don Jaime is an interesting charac ter study. Comparisons can be made to Don Quixote or the budo of the samurai. The fencing master is very much adrift in his new modern society, and the real mystery lies in whether he will abandon his old fashioned ways, perish because of them or emerge triumphant because of his long practiced skills. The Don is a likeable character whose quaint speech and simplistic moral codes are refreshing- even alluring. Perez-Reverte also provides us with a fine primer of 1860's Spanish politics, which were tumultuous to say the least. Not the best translation, but still enjoyable.

Rating:
Summary: A splendid book -- Perez-Reverte's debut
Review: Actually, THE FENCING MASTER is Arturo Perez-Reverte's first book -- not his latest. He wrote it before THE FLANDERS PANEL, THE CLUB DUMAS, and THE SEVILLE COMMUNION. It is a wonderful book, far more than a murder mystery; a character study, crafted with meticulous attention to historical detail and the complexities of human emotion.

Rating:
Summary: A mystery within a historical novel within a character study
Review: The Fencing master was a bit of a surprise, as it finds success more as a character study and exploration of personal ethics, unlike earlier novels Flanders Panel and Club Dumas, which were intricate and playful mysteries. Nontheless, this was a satisfying and enjoyable read. The book is built around a memorable figure, the fencing master, a Quixote like man of remarkable ethical consistency and dignity, but with a self awareness and sense of irony lacking in the man from La Mancha. Riverte also treats us to thrilling fencing sequences, political and moral intrigues of 19th century Spain, and a femme fatale to rival m'lady in the Three Musketeers. A worthy novel from one of the most interesting and intellectually diverse writers working.

Rating:
Summary: Lyrically beautiful while holding your interest
Review: This book accomplishes a balance that is seldom seen in novels today, a blend of spendid writing with great storytelling. Simply achieving one of these goals is usually enough to make a book good, but this wonderful book mixes lyrical, almost verse-like prose with a great story. You will not be dissapointed.

Rating:
Summary: A Jewel
Review: I was impressed by this uncomplicated and poetic treatment of a man whose profession has become obselete. What a message for those who ponder the meaning of it all when their society doesnt need them anymore. P-R takes an intentionally simple story line and paints it like a Velazquez portrait.

One should feel that something has been learned after reading a novel, and I feel that I have a better sense of the Spanish mind and its values of tradition, pride, and discipline.

Rating:
Summary: Great Book, lots of action scenes involving fencing
Review: This book is a great page-turner, especially for those interested in fencing.

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Summary: Swashbuckling and Intoxicating! I loved it!!!
Review: Arturo Reverte-Perez continues to impress me with his talents for crafting some of the most addictive novels I have read in recent times. Not only is Reverte-Perez a master of layering suspense, but also really has a real gift for writing. His style is like a rich chocolate; I craved every chapter of The Fencing Master. Also, unlike The Flanders Panel and some of the author's earlier books, the ending of this book was definitely not a let down. In fact, I thought it was one of the most enthralling parts of the story. If you want to read something with a sense of adventure, but don't want to reduced to reading some cheap paperback airplane thriller, read the Fencing Master.

Rating:
Summary: Beguiling
Review: Although I was expecting this book to be like the intriguing mysteries of "The Flanders Panel" and "The Dumas Club", I am totally beguiled by this book. The characterisations (especially the character of the Fencing Master himself and Adela de Otero) are masterly. I'm only half way through the book at the moment, but already I have recognised that this book is something special.

A beautiful, subtle book. Read it!!