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UCFC Book Reviews The Fencing Master by Arturo Pérez-Reverte Translated by Margaret Jull Costa Review by V. Bjerreskov (00 06 01) ISBN 0151001812, published 1999 The Fencing Master is an historical novel that perhaps we can relate to better than Dumas' Three Musketeers for the simple reason that the main character realises he is practicing a dying art. His reactions and insistance on maintaining tradition are ideas that we as modern fencers understand. This novel was originally written in Spanish, and reading the English translation, I can't help but wonder if I'm missing something. First of all, the sword used in duels and for killing is a foil. To the best of my knowledge, the epée was used in duels, though perhaps the author is referring to a sort of smallsword rather than the foil we all know and love. The fencing terminology used in the narrative and through the chapter titles was well placed and used. The portrayal of the sport in its early stages was also very good. But perhaps reading Chandler and Doyle has spoiled me, because I found that, for a mystery, there was very little mystery in this novel. It is a crime told from the point of view of the unwitting accomplice, and the only mystery is why the woman is involved. The fencing master, Don Jaime, uses fencing strategy to sketch out the crime from beginning to fatal end, realises the role Adela de Otero played in it, yet almost allows himself to be seduced by her in the end. From the beginning, there is something not right about her, but Pérez-Reverte does not offer us any clues as to whom her benefactor is, nor her motivations for participating, until her confession at the end of the novel. As well, I will admit to being woefully uninformed about Spanish political intrigue in the late 19th century. As a result, some of the political discussions flew right by me, making me wonder how many more pages I would have to read before we got back into the actual story. This may make the novel less enjoyable for those of us who do not have the historical background necessary. My final piece of criticism for this novel is the lack of any sort of tension in the final duel. As I read what was supposed to be the climactic finish, I knew that 1) Don Jaime would succeed, despite his disadvantages, and 2) he would find his Grail. These two outcomes had been heavily foreshadowed throughout the novel, and so the final duel lost some of its edge. But I digress. On the whole, this novel was a good read. Don Jaime is a man of honour and integrity that I enjoyed getting to know. Despite my earlier criticism of the lack of mystery for the reader, watching him attempt to decipher his role in the crime gives the reader the position of observer to an ordinary man figuring out a mystery. The descriptions of fencing, Madrid in the summer, and the political climate are wonderful. And finally, the last section of the novel read like the final scene of a movie, and that description was the perfect way to end this novel. The Fencing Master retails in hardcover for $36.00 Cdn and $19.00 Cdn for trade paperback at Chapters. It has also been made into a film, which I have reviewed. Back to Book Reviews Home  |  About Us   |  About Fencing   |  Links  |  Photo Gallery Image Bank  |  Reviews   |  Fencing Fun  |  Contact Us