Action and Adventure in the Mediterranean Sea - an Editorial Review of "The Voyage of the Evangelist"

Book Blurb:

The Voyage of the Evangelistis a fictional blending of two events which appear in the historical record for the eastern Mediterranean Sea in 828 CE. First, two Venetian merchants, anchored in the harbor of Alexandria, Egypt, smuggled the remains of St. Mark out of that city with the aid of two Coptic churchmen by hiding them under palettes of pork in the hold of their galley which the Moslem guards would not touch, and took them back to Venice where they were ultimately installed at the Piazza San Marco in St Mark's Basilica. The trip back to Venice was perilous and St. Mark performed a variety of miracles to ensure a safe journey home. Second, an Arab warrior named Abu Hafs, previously forced first out of Spain, and then again Alexandria, led an invasion of Crete, created an emirate and allowed a safe harbor for piracy to thrive

Using these stories, I have attempted to portray the Mediterranean world of late antiquity, and particularly the conflicts between the remaining Roman Empire at Constantinople, their chronic Arab enemies in Africa and Asia, and a Venice led by a merchant class attempting to build a new empire based on trading with both. There are twenty substantial characters propelling the plot, men and women of various ages and ethnicities, with different attitudes towards slavery, political allegiances and issues of religious faith, particularly the then prevalent obsession with relics.

Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/oa0kuOd

Author Bio:

Harry Gandy has lived in a small town in southern Oregon since 1991. He received a B.A. in English from UC Santa Barbara in 1971, and a law degree from Golden Gate University in 1978. After practicing law for thirty-two years, he retired from the full time practice of law in 2014 . He developed an interest in history and historical fiction some thirty years ago, particularly after having read, among others, the works of Patrick O'Brien, Paul Horgan and Don Berry. He has long been interested in Roman and Italian history, and particularly in what is now known as Late Antiquity, a period beginning roughly at 400 CE and extending to 1000 CE.

Editorial Review:

On a dreary winter morning, cold, damp wind blew steadily from the Alps, sweeping south across the overcast Gulf of Venice. A freshly painted galley, black below and red above, had been drawn onto the beach on the island of Torcello, its prow facing the Venetian lagoon. Rustico, a short, wiry man with black eyes and thick, curly hair, slowly walked around it. Stony-faced, he studied the galley, running his fingers behind him along the sides. Occasionally, he would stop, peer at a spot, and then move on. Gianni, his son, stood beside the boat’s builder, watching this procedure with equanimity; he knew when Rustico was satisfied.

From the prologue and the very first lines of chapter one, this book draws you in and asks you to come on a journey with the characters as we are taken back in time.

The Voyage of the Evangelist by Harry Gandy is a brilliant historical fiction book that takes readers to the tumultuous nexus of religion, trade, and conquest in the year 828 CE. By fusing two intriguing and mainly unstudied historical occurrences - the Islamic conquest of Crete under Abu Hafs and the smuggling of Saint Mark's relics out of Alexandria - Gandy gives life to a Mediterranean world on the verge of change. The novel is a bold, complex, and intensely captivating voyage through one of the most turbulent periods in history, including an ensemble cast of more than twenty intricately rendered individuals.

Gandy draws the reader into a realm where peril and divinity are always entwined from the opening page. In terms of pace and execution, the main plot - the dangerous transport of Saint Mark's body from Alexandria to Venice by two Venetian merchants and their Coptic allies - is captivating.

In addition to being historically correct, the use of pork to hide the saint's remains from Muslim guards is a clever representation of faith and power colliding. Miracles ascribed to Saint Mark are interspersed throughout this perilous journey, providing a mystical element that never overpowers the historical setting's realism.

The ascent of Abu Hafs, an Arab warrior motivated by exile and revenge, parallels this holy voyage. His founding of an emirate on Crete signals a dramatic change in Mediterranean geopolitics.

“When do you plan to sail?” the Doge asked.

“Early spring as the weather permits. I am still lining up a full cargo. We need to sell a lot in order to pay for this trip,” Rustico answered.

“I fully expect that you’ll do well on many future voyages also. Constantinople is still your main destination?” the Doge questioned.

Rustico explained, “Yes, but we will make inquiries all down the Adriatic and east towards Crete.”

 “You expect to be gone two-three months?” the Doge probed.

 “God willing, yes,” Rustico replied.

“Would you entertain a passenger?” the Doge inquired.

“I’d consider it. A paying passenger, I imagine,” Rustico clarified.

“Some agreement could be reached, I’m sure. Here’s the new palace site.” The two paused to watch a small group of laborers setting out markers for the foundation of a large rectangular structure. “As you can see, it’ll be bigger and much more grand than the last,” the Doge explained.

The Voyage of the Evangelist has flawless, expertly formatted editing and formatting. Chapters have a deliberate cadence, dialogue is properly acknowledged, and paragraphs are neat and well-spaced. The chapter titles are captivating, providing just enough mystery to keep the reader interested. To allow historical context to develop naturally through character interactions and interior thoughts, dialogue is direct and well-done.

Gandy is successful in character orchestration with a cast of more than twenty characters. Every character is shown with emotional depth and unique motivations, ranging from warriors and slaves to merchants and monks. Through their bravery and guile, the reader is able to remember the names of the two Venetian characters, who represent the complicated morals of a growing commercial empire that must balance deceit and diplomacy.

Abu Hafs is a complex and motivated figure whose goals are as much about identity and survival as they are about conquering; he is by no means a one-dimensional enemy. In a world where male viewpoints are frequently dominant, the addition of strong female voices - women battling with questions of autonomy, faith, and status - adds a welcome dimension. Priests face their doubts, soldiers consider the price of fidelity, and slaves rethink their fates. No character seems superfluous or shallow.

The Voyage of the Evangelist exhibits remarkable discipline in maintaining narrative coherence despite its expansive breadth. Gandy's ability to move between Alexandria, Constantinople, Venice, and Crete while maintaining schedules and incentives in sync is evidence of his meticulous preparation and deft execution. There aren't any abrupt changes or plot contradictions. Rather, each chapter builds logically on the one before it, and scenes flow with a distinct sense of cause and consequence.

Angela and Claudia sat wrapped against an overcast, cool autumn day in front of a small fire in their cottage. Claudia asked, “What are you going to do?” “We need to do something, don’t we? I know how to manage the salt works. I watched and assisted Leo in running it for several months. I’ll need some help, perhaps from Gianni, at the beginning. I’m waiting to see what Rustico offers. We’ll see.” “I don’t see how they can add sailing throughout the Mediterranean to what they were already doing without adding help. It means at least one of them will be gone for months at a time.”

The political and religious philosophies of the day are conveyed in a coherent and credible manner. For example, relic obsession is a recurrent motif that connects the faith-driven goals of East and West, Christian and Muslim, conqueror and smuggler, and serves as more than just a background.

The Voyage of the Evangelist has a strong and poignant ending. Gandy respects the moral and spiritual complexity that underlies the entire book rather than settling for a straightforward conclusion. The arrival of Saint Mark's remains in Venice is viewed as a spiritual and cultural turning point for the city as well as a logistical success. Abu Hafs's and his Cretan stronghold's destiny also leaves a lasting effect, suggesting the region's long history of political division and piracy.

Depending on which character one most relates with, the finale may be viewed as joyous or bittersweet, but in either instance, the last chapters offer a profoundly fulfilling feeling of completion along with a contemplation of the cyclical nature of faith and power.

Few historical fiction books address this particular time period and area as thoroughly and lucidly as Gandy does. In Western-centric historical fiction, the Mediterranean events of 828 CE are frequently relegated to minor details. They take center stage here, and Gandy provides a new and crucial viewpoint in the process. With uniqueness and insight, he examines the politics of relics, the conflicts between different cultures in a post-Roman world, and Venice's rise to prominence as a maritime power.

The smooth incorporation of supernatural aspects is another characteristic that distinguishes The Voyage of the Evangelist. Saint Mark's interventions are always perceived as supernatural manifestations that align with the prevailing beliefs, rather than deus ex machina devices. The blending of reality and fiction is tactful, considerate, and successful.

Gandy writes in a clear, vivid, and well-paced style. City life, the desert, and the sea are all described well without being overdone. The dialogue feels period-appropriate. He strikes a balance between activity and contemplation, providing both exciting scenes and peaceful times for introspection.

Gandy's writing exhibits an understanding of historical terminology and marine jargon, lending authenticity to onboard scenes and strategic discussions. His use of short chapters, alternate points of view, and sensory detail all enhance the immersive experience of the book.

With an inciting incident (the discovery and decision to smuggle the relic), rising tension (physical and political risks faced during the journey), a climax (the intersection of religious and secular conflicts), and a denouement that encapsulates the voyage's lingering effects, the plot of The Voyage of the Evangelist is organized in a conventional way. Along the way, characters undergo profound spiritual and psychological transformations, which precisely aligns with the book's thematic importance.

Harry Gandy's The Voyage of the Evangelist is a brilliant piece of historical fiction that is captivating, insightful, and emotionally stirring. Thanks to its captivating twin narratives, intriguing characters, and skillful handling of challenging historical material, it offers a singular view into a forgotten era of Mediterranean history that still has meaning today.

4.5 stars from The Historical Fiction Company

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