THE RELIC MASTER : A Novel

New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, 2016. First Edition, First Printing . Paperback. NEW - COLLECTIBLE/None as Issued. BRAND NEW & Collectible. First Edition, First Printing. Fascinating, witty, hilarious & irreverent religio-socio-political historical novel from satirist Christopher Buckley of "Thank You for Smoking" fame. Buckely, turns the clock back to 1517, Northern Europe, a time rich in hypocrisy, corruption, greed, & self-­delusion not unlike the landscape of American politics in the run-up to the 2016 election. An outraged monk named Martin Luther is attacking corruption, sexual, financial and spiritual within the Roman Catholic Church. Superb preface describes a 16th century relic fair in Rome where on sale are an array of offerings of sanctity. Innumerable bits & pieces of reputed saints' and martyrs' skulls, teeth, bones, finger nails & hair along with iron bars from torture grilles, whips & thorns, as well as nails, wood with blood from the crucifixion and even a vial with drops of the Virgin's breast milk --- healthy source of revenue for Churrch & private parties in line with market demands sets the scene. The hero (or, anit-hero) of the tale, Dimas, a some-what morally compromised ex-soldier & ex-monk, teams up with gifted artist, Durer. Together, along with other mercenaries at open markets, they sell Christ's burial shroud to the soon-to-be Cardinal Albrecht. Alas, Dürer's reckless boasting makes public their trickery. Enter, then, a lustful count, a beautiful female apothecary, and others ready to pofit.