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Rocamora #1
Rocamora: Man of Masks
Rocamora
Man of Masks
by Donald Michael Platt
No man is closer to a woman than her confessor,
not her father, not her brother, not her husband.
-Spanish saying
Vicente de Rocamora, the epitome of a young renaissance man in 17th century Spain, questions the goals of the Inquisition and the brutal means used by King Philip IV and the Roman Church to achieve them. Spain vows to eliminate the heretical influences attributed to Jews, Moors, and others who would taint the limpieza de sangre, purity of Spanish blood.
At the insistence of his family, the handsome and charismatic Vicente enters the Dominican Order and is soon thrust into the scheming political hierarchy that rules Spain.
As confessor to the king's sister, the Infanta Doa Mara, and assistant to Philip's chief minister, Olivares, Vicente ascends through the ranks and before long finds himself poised to attain not only the ambitious dreams of the Rocamora family but alsoif named Spain's Inquisitor Generalto bring about an end to the atrocities committed in the name of the blood purity laws.
The resourceful young man must survive assassination attempts from a growing list of ruthless foes in both Church and court, solve a centuries-old riddle to quell rumors of his own impurity of blood, and above all, suppress his love for the seemingly unattainable Doa Mara.
About the Author:
In Hollywood, Donald Michael Platt sold his writing to the TV series, Mr. Novak, and worked for and with diverse producers. After moving to Jupiter, Florida, Donald co-wrote Vitamin Enriched, 1999, for Carl DeSantis, founder of Rexall Sundown Vitamins; and The Couple's Disease, 2002, for Lawrence S. Hakim, MD, FACS, Head of Sexual Dysfunction Unit at the Cleveland Clinic.
Born and raised in San Francisco and a graduate of Lowell High school and U.C. Berkeley, Donald also has taught History, English, and Creative Writing. An Adjunct Professor of Writing at Polk Community College, he currently resides in Winter Haven, Florida with his wife, Ellen, where he is working on the sequel to Rocamora and crafting another dark novel. His horror novel, A Gathering Of Vultures, was published by Darkhart Press in 2007.
Man of Masks
by Donald Michael Platt
No man is closer to a woman than her confessor,
not her father, not her brother, not her husband.
-Spanish saying
Vicente de Rocamora, the epitome of a young renaissance man in 17th century Spain, questions the goals of the Inquisition and the brutal means used by King Philip IV and the Roman Church to achieve them. Spain vows to eliminate the heretical influences attributed to Jews, Moors, and others who would taint the limpieza de sangre, purity of Spanish blood.
At the insistence of his family, the handsome and charismatic Vicente enters the Dominican Order and is soon thrust into the scheming political hierarchy that rules Spain.
As confessor to the king's sister, the Infanta Doa Mara, and assistant to Philip's chief minister, Olivares, Vicente ascends through the ranks and before long finds himself poised to attain not only the ambitious dreams of the Rocamora family but alsoif named Spain's Inquisitor Generalto bring about an end to the atrocities committed in the name of the blood purity laws.
The resourceful young man must survive assassination attempts from a growing list of ruthless foes in both Church and court, solve a centuries-old riddle to quell rumors of his own impurity of blood, and above all, suppress his love for the seemingly unattainable Doa Mara.
About the Author:
In Hollywood, Donald Michael Platt sold his writing to the TV series, Mr. Novak, and worked for and with diverse producers. After moving to Jupiter, Florida, Donald co-wrote Vitamin Enriched, 1999, for Carl DeSantis, founder of Rexall Sundown Vitamins; and The Couple's Disease, 2002, for Lawrence S. Hakim, MD, FACS, Head of Sexual Dysfunction Unit at the Cleveland Clinic.
Born and raised in San Francisco and a graduate of Lowell High school and U.C. Berkeley, Donald also has taught History, English, and Creative Writing. An Adjunct Professor of Writing at Polk Community College, he currently resides in Winter Haven, Florida with his wife, Ellen, where he is working on the sequel to Rocamora and crafting another dark novel. His horror novel, A Gathering Of Vultures, was published by Darkhart Press in 2007.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
408 pages, Print on Demand (Hardcover)
First published November 30, 2008
4 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Donald Michael Platt
6Ìýbooks54ÌýfollowersBorn and raised inside San Francisco, I graduated from Lowell High School and received my B.A. in History from the University of California at Berkeley. After two years in the Army, I went to graduate school at San Jose State where one of my short stories was published in the college’s literary magazine, THE REED, and I won a bathch of awards in the annual SENATOR PHELAN LITERARY CONTEST.
After teaching English and Creative writing at Los Gatos Union High School, I moved to southern California and began my professional writing career. I sold to the TV series, MR. NOVAK, ghosted YOUR HAIR AND YOUR DIET for health food guru, Dan Dale Alexander, and wrote for and with diverse producers, among them as Harry Joe Brown, Sig Schlager, Albert J. Cohen, and Al Ruddy as well as Paul Stader Sr., dean of Hollywood stuntman and stunt/2nd unit director. Also, options were taken on my unpublished WWII fighter ace novel and several treatments.
While living in Hollywood, I taught creative writing and Advanced placement European History at Fairfax High School where I also was Social Studies Department Chairman. After living in Florianópolis, Brazil, setting of A GATHERING OF VULTURES,* DarkHart Press, 2007,we moved to Florida where I wrote as a with: VITAMIN ENRICHED, pub.1999, for Carl DeSantis, founder of Rexall Sundown Vitamins; and THE COUPLE’S DISEASE, Finding a Cure for Your "Lost" Love Life, pub. 2002, for Lawrence S. Hakim, MD, FACS, Head of Sexual Dysfunction Unit at the Cleveland Clinic.
My other four novels are ROCAMORA,* set in 17th century Spain and Amsterdam during their Golden Ages, it's sequel
HOUSE OF ROCAMORA, CLOSE TO THE SUN,* a WWII fighter ace novel, and BODO THE APOSTATE, an Editor's Choice for the Historical Review. Those with a * have been FINALISTS in Book Awards Contests.
After teaching English and Creative writing at Los Gatos Union High School, I moved to southern California and began my professional writing career. I sold to the TV series, MR. NOVAK, ghosted YOUR HAIR AND YOUR DIET for health food guru, Dan Dale Alexander, and wrote for and with diverse producers, among them as Harry Joe Brown, Sig Schlager, Albert J. Cohen, and Al Ruddy as well as Paul Stader Sr., dean of Hollywood stuntman and stunt/2nd unit director. Also, options were taken on my unpublished WWII fighter ace novel and several treatments.
While living in Hollywood, I taught creative writing and Advanced placement European History at Fairfax High School where I also was Social Studies Department Chairman. After living in Florianópolis, Brazil, setting of A GATHERING OF VULTURES,* DarkHart Press, 2007,we moved to Florida where I wrote as a with: VITAMIN ENRICHED, pub.1999, for Carl DeSantis, founder of Rexall Sundown Vitamins; and THE COUPLE’S DISEASE, Finding a Cure for Your "Lost" Love Life, pub. 2002, for Lawrence S. Hakim, MD, FACS, Head of Sexual Dysfunction Unit at the Cleveland Clinic.
My other four novels are ROCAMORA,* set in 17th century Spain and Amsterdam during their Golden Ages, it's sequel
HOUSE OF ROCAMORA, CLOSE TO THE SUN,* a WWII fighter ace novel, and BODO THE APOSTATE, an Editor's Choice for the Historical Review. Those with a * have been FINALISTS in Book Awards Contests.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 9, 2012
Orphan, Vincente de Rocamora, is eager to fight to avenge the death of his father, but his older cousins and mentors have other plans for him. Vincente becomes a Dominican, rising quickly to become the infanta's confessor and a clerk for the king's adviser, Olivares, one of the most powerful men in all of Spain.
The intrigues of the court and his cousins' ambitions to make the Rocamora family powerful keep Vincente on his feet. Thankfully, Vincente is a clever actor, handsome, and a master of disguise. Even so, a stain upon the family's pure blood status, his love for the infanta, and a rival clan, plague Vincente. And the higher he rises in power, the more risky every decision becomes for him.
This is a well-written novel solidly grounded in historical fact. In addition, the dialogue is believable and the characters complex. Unfortunately, the plot, which promises to be page-turning, is weighed down by excessive visual and historical detail. Every outfit is described in full as are interiors, weapons, and physical characteristics of even minor characters. The details are not uninteresting, there are just far too many of them. In addition, historical explanations appear on almost every page, slowing down dialogue and action. To be sure, some historical context is necessary and the reader will definitely learn a great deal about 17th-century Spain. However, all these interruptions to the narrative make this an easy book to put down. If the author would cut this novel down to under 300 pages, it would be an excellent read.
The intrigues of the court and his cousins' ambitions to make the Rocamora family powerful keep Vincente on his feet. Thankfully, Vincente is a clever actor, handsome, and a master of disguise. Even so, a stain upon the family's pure blood status, his love for the infanta, and a rival clan, plague Vincente. And the higher he rises in power, the more risky every decision becomes for him.
This is a well-written novel solidly grounded in historical fact. In addition, the dialogue is believable and the characters complex. Unfortunately, the plot, which promises to be page-turning, is weighed down by excessive visual and historical detail. Every outfit is described in full as are interiors, weapons, and physical characteristics of even minor characters. The details are not uninteresting, there are just far too many of them. In addition, historical explanations appear on almost every page, slowing down dialogue and action. To be sure, some historical context is necessary and the reader will definitely learn a great deal about 17th-century Spain. However, all these interruptions to the narrative make this an easy book to put down. If the author would cut this novel down to under 300 pages, it would be an excellent read.
April 19, 2012
In many respects Rocamora, Man of Masks is an exceptional historical novel. The story is set against the background of the first half of the seventeen-century Europe (in general) and Spain (in particular). This was the period of the Thirty Years War (1618-1648) with all its savagery. The Spanish and Austro-Hungarian (formerly Holy Roman) Empires, ruled by Hapsburg cousins, were pitted against France, the Netherlands (then the United Provinces), Sweden and the Protestant principalities of Germany. In Spain, weak, vain, petty, bigoted and debauched Philip IV reigned while his favorite, the Count Duke Olivares ruled (for over twenty years before his abrupt and total fall in the book and in fact). Spain and the Hapsburgs were four generations removed from the glory days of Emperor Charles V who ruled both Empires. While still a great power, Spain was no longer the dominant world power. Under Philip IV, Spain was fading and failing inexorably and rapidly under the weight of religious fanaticism, prejudice, bigotry, venality and wholesale corruption of the organs of state and the aristocracy. Author Plat shows us all of this in vivid and arresting detail while telling one man’s highly unusual and compelling story, a story of honor, love, intrigue, romance, combat and murder. Rocamora is more than an exciting story, which it certainly is. It is an exploration of fundamental human values tested by the extremes of stress. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
April 12, 2013
Rocamora was a difficult read. Not due to the writing but due to the terrible nature of many of the characters as well as the situations that were dealt with. However, I think the author did a really wonderful job bringing those horrors that Rocamora, amongst others in the book suffered.
I'm not all that familiar with 17th century Spain but after reading Rocamora I feel like I learned quite a bit. I really appreciated the depth of research that the author obviously went to in order to create an authentic feeling novel of the times especially since he based it on the real Vicente de Rocamora. I was astounded by how much detail went into the plot, characters and settings in Rocamora.
Like I mentioned before, Rocamora was a difficult read but nonetheless it was an enjoyable one. I loved learning about 17th century Spain and Spain's historical view of "limpieza de sangre" (blood purity) during the Spanish Inquisition. Learning about Rocamora's life albeit a fictionalized account largely was fantastic because it opened up a new era for me to read about and explore which for me is the sign of a successful author.
The characters of the novel were both beautifully written as well as being cruel. During the Inquisition violence was the weapon of the time and entire peoples lives could be ruined just by some one's lies as young Rocamora learns.
What I liked the most about the book was that I was able to see Rocamora grow and mature from a young 16 year old boy who just avenged his parent's deaths in the beginning of the novel through more tumultuous times in his life until he is a grown man. I enjoyed seeing his view of the world change as his circumstances did and while I know he's a fictionalized rendition of a real man I felt as though the way he was presented in the book was very lifelike.
Rocamora was rife with the political ideals of the time and it's interesting to see how far we as people have come. The author did a wonderful job in bringing his novel to life and engaging me as a reader. I was completely sucked into Rocamora's story. The writing was fantastic and the characters along with setting and plot were incredibly well thought out and I for one can't wait to read the sequel to Rocamora in the near future.
I would recommend Rocamora to everyone who wants to read about a difficult time in Spain's past that has a fast moving plot, lots of historical detail and a large amount of deception and betrayal throughout the 410 pages.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my free and honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are 100% my own.
I'm not all that familiar with 17th century Spain but after reading Rocamora I feel like I learned quite a bit. I really appreciated the depth of research that the author obviously went to in order to create an authentic feeling novel of the times especially since he based it on the real Vicente de Rocamora. I was astounded by how much detail went into the plot, characters and settings in Rocamora.
Like I mentioned before, Rocamora was a difficult read but nonetheless it was an enjoyable one. I loved learning about 17th century Spain and Spain's historical view of "limpieza de sangre" (blood purity) during the Spanish Inquisition. Learning about Rocamora's life albeit a fictionalized account largely was fantastic because it opened up a new era for me to read about and explore which for me is the sign of a successful author.
The characters of the novel were both beautifully written as well as being cruel. During the Inquisition violence was the weapon of the time and entire peoples lives could be ruined just by some one's lies as young Rocamora learns.
What I liked the most about the book was that I was able to see Rocamora grow and mature from a young 16 year old boy who just avenged his parent's deaths in the beginning of the novel through more tumultuous times in his life until he is a grown man. I enjoyed seeing his view of the world change as his circumstances did and while I know he's a fictionalized rendition of a real man I felt as though the way he was presented in the book was very lifelike.
Rocamora was rife with the political ideals of the time and it's interesting to see how far we as people have come. The author did a wonderful job in bringing his novel to life and engaging me as a reader. I was completely sucked into Rocamora's story. The writing was fantastic and the characters along with setting and plot were incredibly well thought out and I for one can't wait to read the sequel to Rocamora in the near future.
I would recommend Rocamora to everyone who wants to read about a difficult time in Spain's past that has a fast moving plot, lots of historical detail and a large amount of deception and betrayal throughout the 410 pages.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my free and honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are 100% my own.
April 12, 2013
My knowledge of the history of Spain is lacking in comparison to my knowledge of the history of England and France. Therefore any time I find a book that can educate me about Spanish history I jump all over it. When that book also keeps me enthralled and turning the pages it's a bonus.
Rocamora is the first of two books based in fact. While little is left to history of the real Rocamora Mr. Platt builds a tale from can be found. This first book takes through Vicente Rocoamora's adolescence - where his learning is more "of the street" than the typical training path of a young noble. A vendetta of sorts has left him, a second son, on the outside of the family holdings as his father is killed and his addled older brother is under the control of the family enemy. Vicente is forced into the priesthood but little do they know the levels to which he will climb.
The book does take place during the last years of the Spanish Inquisition - which is not one of Spain's shining moments in history. It does not shy away from the horrors that were visited upon the poor souls who fell into its keeping. These passages are not easy to read but any book that covers difficult subjects such as these are difficult - much evil has been perpetrated throughout history in the name of God.
This is a history lover's book. There is lots of (at least to me) fascinating detail about all facets of life during this time. Vicente as a character is very fleshed out and despite his stand offishness I rather liked him. I'm already 3/4s of the way through the second book and it's just as good as this one. This is a book jam packed with fascinating historical information and written in such a way as to draw the reader in from page one. It is one of those books where I was tapping, tapping, tapping to turn the pages of my Nexus. I've learned a bit more about the history of Spain and about a very interesting man who played a role in that history.
4.5
Rocamora is the first of two books based in fact. While little is left to history of the real Rocamora Mr. Platt builds a tale from can be found. This first book takes through Vicente Rocoamora's adolescence - where his learning is more "of the street" than the typical training path of a young noble. A vendetta of sorts has left him, a second son, on the outside of the family holdings as his father is killed and his addled older brother is under the control of the family enemy. Vicente is forced into the priesthood but little do they know the levels to which he will climb.
The book does take place during the last years of the Spanish Inquisition - which is not one of Spain's shining moments in history. It does not shy away from the horrors that were visited upon the poor souls who fell into its keeping. These passages are not easy to read but any book that covers difficult subjects such as these are difficult - much evil has been perpetrated throughout history in the name of God.
This is a history lover's book. There is lots of (at least to me) fascinating detail about all facets of life during this time. Vicente as a character is very fleshed out and despite his stand offishness I rather liked him. I'm already 3/4s of the way through the second book and it's just as good as this one. This is a book jam packed with fascinating historical information and written in such a way as to draw the reader in from page one. It is one of those books where I was tapping, tapping, tapping to turn the pages of my Nexus. I've learned a bit more about the history of Spain and about a very interesting man who played a role in that history.
4.5
March 29, 2013
Rocamora by DonÂald Michael Platt is a hisÂtorÂiÂcal ficÂtion book takÂing place in 17th CenÂtury Spain. This book was the 2012 finalÂist in the InterÂnaÂtional Book Awards for HisÂtorÂiÂcal Fiction.
Rocamora by DonÂald Michael Platt is based on the life of Vicente de Rocamora a poet, fighter and DominiÂcan priest who was thrust into the schemÂing court of King Philip IV. Rocamora became the conÂfesÂsor for the king’s younger sisÂter, the beauÂtiÂful Infanta Doña MarÃa and was conÂsidÂered as a strong canÂdiÂdate for InquisiÂtor General.
I found this book to be a first-rate hisÂtorÂiÂcal novel; I learned a lot of hisÂtory from the book, about life in Spain and the InquiÂsiÂtion, as well as folÂlowÂing the story in vivid detail. Mr. Platt weaves his story around the hisÂtory and doesn't change the facts to fit his story (at least I couldn’t find any glarÂing cases of such).
The novel cerÂtainly let’s the reader feel the glory of Spain fadÂing durÂing the reign of Philip IV, while Count Duke OliÂvares actÂing as prime minÂisÂter (in today’s terms). The author also weaves in the conÂseÂquences which Spain sufÂfered under reliÂgious fanatÂics, anti-Semitism and corÂrupÂtion of the aristocracy.
This is a solid, well writÂten hisÂtorÂiÂcal novel with plenty of hisÂtorÂiÂcal backÂground, the diaÂlogue is believÂable with SpanÂish words and phrases pepÂpered throughÂout (the author always manÂages to transÂlate them or let you know what they mean based on furÂther readÂing). The narÂraÂtive keeps the reader turnÂing the pages with. The author describes each outÂfit, room, weapon and charÂacÂters to extreme detail, while it someÂtimes weighed down the story I found them to be interÂestÂing as well as part of the charm and authenÂticÂity of the book.
For more reviews and bookish thoughts please visit:
Rocamora by DonÂald Michael Platt is based on the life of Vicente de Rocamora a poet, fighter and DominiÂcan priest who was thrust into the schemÂing court of King Philip IV. Rocamora became the conÂfesÂsor for the king’s younger sisÂter, the beauÂtiÂful Infanta Doña MarÃa and was conÂsidÂered as a strong canÂdiÂdate for InquisiÂtor General.
I found this book to be a first-rate hisÂtorÂiÂcal novel; I learned a lot of hisÂtory from the book, about life in Spain and the InquiÂsiÂtion, as well as folÂlowÂing the story in vivid detail. Mr. Platt weaves his story around the hisÂtory and doesn't change the facts to fit his story (at least I couldn’t find any glarÂing cases of such).
The novel cerÂtainly let’s the reader feel the glory of Spain fadÂing durÂing the reign of Philip IV, while Count Duke OliÂvares actÂing as prime minÂisÂter (in today’s terms). The author also weaves in the conÂseÂquences which Spain sufÂfered under reliÂgious fanatÂics, anti-Semitism and corÂrupÂtion of the aristocracy.
This is a solid, well writÂten hisÂtorÂiÂcal novel with plenty of hisÂtorÂiÂcal backÂground, the diaÂlogue is believÂable with SpanÂish words and phrases pepÂpered throughÂout (the author always manÂages to transÂlate them or let you know what they mean based on furÂther readÂing). The narÂraÂtive keeps the reader turnÂing the pages with. The author describes each outÂfit, room, weapon and charÂacÂters to extreme detail, while it someÂtimes weighed down the story I found them to be interÂestÂing as well as part of the charm and authenÂticÂity of the book.
For more reviews and bookish thoughts please visit:
March 25, 2013
"Rocamora" is the story of Vicente de Rocamora whose early life was not all that great. The story takes place in 1600s Spain where the "limpieza de sangre" is the ultimate measure of a man and Inquisition is the order of the day. While I haven't read a whole lot that takes place during this time period in Spain, the subject is absolutely fascinating to me even though it was quite a brutal time.
I really enjoyed reading about Vicente. He's pretty much left to fend for himself and takes it upon himself to try to get his own brand of revenge for his family. By age 20, he's slowly working himself in the royal court of Spain by becoming a confessor to some of the lesser members of court. One thing that you can most definitely say about Vicente is that the guy certainly has a lot of gumption. I really enjoyed reading how he was able to elevate himself to a position of prestige. I wanted to know and understand a little bit more about his motivations as he is such a complicated character.
Just a word of warning, there are several parts of the book that get pretty gritty (some of the descriptions of what the Illuminati do especially). Some readers may not like this too much.
Platt's attention to detail makes this book a treat for the historical fiction reader who doesn't mind getting a little grubby (1600s Spain does not seem like it would be a particular fun plan to be). Platt does a great job of weaving good history with a compelling story! I will be reviewing the sequel of this book next week and am most definitely looking forward to sharing my thoughts on that book as well.
I really enjoyed reading about Vicente. He's pretty much left to fend for himself and takes it upon himself to try to get his own brand of revenge for his family. By age 20, he's slowly working himself in the royal court of Spain by becoming a confessor to some of the lesser members of court. One thing that you can most definitely say about Vicente is that the guy certainly has a lot of gumption. I really enjoyed reading how he was able to elevate himself to a position of prestige. I wanted to know and understand a little bit more about his motivations as he is such a complicated character.
Just a word of warning, there are several parts of the book that get pretty gritty (some of the descriptions of what the Illuminati do especially). Some readers may not like this too much.
Platt's attention to detail makes this book a treat for the historical fiction reader who doesn't mind getting a little grubby (1600s Spain does not seem like it would be a particular fun plan to be). Platt does a great job of weaving good history with a compelling story! I will be reviewing the sequel of this book next week and am most definitely looking forward to sharing my thoughts on that book as well.
February 11, 2013
This book follows Vicente (Rocamora) from the age of 16 when he avenges his parents' death by murdering a nobleman, through his rape at the hands of his own sister-in-law, his enforced preisthood, and his search to find himself in a world that seeks to use him for it's own purposes. Intelligent, good-looking and a free-thinker, Vicente yearns for revenge and redemption throughout the last horrific gasps of the Spanish Inquisition, where he must hide his true thoughts and feelings even while dreaming of his unattainable passion and searching for the truth about his family's past. Vicente does return to claim the daughter borne of his rape, and does seem to attain the object of his passion, but it all seems to end in tragedy. Vicente must then find a way to move on as his enemies seek to destroy him from all angles.
This was a good story about an extremely interesting man. I would have liked to have gone a little deeper into Vicente's head and emotions, as I sometimes felt I was just skimming the surface of this complex character. I felt the last 150 pages or so of the book were better developed the first parts of the story. I do intend to read and enjoy the sequel, House of Rocamora, where perhaps Vicente will achieve the peace his soul craves.
This was a good story about an extremely interesting man. I would have liked to have gone a little deeper into Vicente's head and emotions, as I sometimes felt I was just skimming the surface of this complex character. I felt the last 150 pages or so of the book were better developed the first parts of the story. I do intend to read and enjoy the sequel, House of Rocamora, where perhaps Vicente will achieve the peace his soul craves.
March 27, 2013
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To be fair Donald Michael Platt's Rocamora really comes in at about three and a half stars. I liked the story, but much like Siren of Paris, find the book something of a challenge to review.
Fair warning, there is no tiptoeing round the tulips here so the faint--hearted might want to think twice about about this one. The Inquisition was not pretty and though I appreciate the author's bold style, I can see where some readers may have difficulty with this piece.
Similarly Platt offers an astounding amount of detail in his narrative. The book is absolutely fascinating, but is without doubt heavy historic fiction and readers should be prepared for that. It is complex storytelling to say the least, but if you can get past that you are in for one heck of a ride.
Based on the little known life of Vicente de Rocamora, Platt offers up a thrilling tale of love, honor, revenge, romance, danger and intrigue. Notable for its sweeping historical scope, Rocamora is a meticulously well-researched novel, the story of a charismatic and determined young man who will keep you engaged from the first page to the last.
To be fair Donald Michael Platt's Rocamora really comes in at about three and a half stars. I liked the story, but much like Siren of Paris, find the book something of a challenge to review.
Fair warning, there is no tiptoeing round the tulips here so the faint--hearted might want to think twice about about this one. The Inquisition was not pretty and though I appreciate the author's bold style, I can see where some readers may have difficulty with this piece.
Similarly Platt offers an astounding amount of detail in his narrative. The book is absolutely fascinating, but is without doubt heavy historic fiction and readers should be prepared for that. It is complex storytelling to say the least, but if you can get past that you are in for one heck of a ride.
Based on the little known life of Vicente de Rocamora, Platt offers up a thrilling tale of love, honor, revenge, romance, danger and intrigue. Notable for its sweeping historical scope, Rocamora is a meticulously well-researched novel, the story of a charismatic and determined young man who will keep you engaged from the first page to the last.
April 13, 2013
This book is a fictional account Vicente de Rocamora. He was a master of disguises, poet, Dominican Priest, among other things. The book opens with a bang and never lets go. Vincente's parents were both murdered and the starts off right away with him avenging their death, in disguise. It is 17th century Spain. At the age of 16 wants to be a solder but at the insistence of the remaining head of family, who vowed a oath of loyalty to, he becomes a Dominican priest.
Vincente move up the ranks rather quickly and becomes the confessor for the beauÂtiÂful Infanta Doña MarÃa. The younger sister of King Phillip IV of Spain. Eventually it looks as if he will become the Inquisitor General.
Donald Michael Platt brings the time of the Spanish Inquisition to life. It is apparent he did a lot of research for this book. My only complaint, and it is a small one is I think there could have been tighter editing. Other than that, I loved this book and will certainly read the second book, House of Rocamora. Highly recommended!
Vincente move up the ranks rather quickly and becomes the confessor for the beauÂtiÂful Infanta Doña MarÃa. The younger sister of King Phillip IV of Spain. Eventually it looks as if he will become the Inquisitor General.
Donald Michael Platt brings the time of the Spanish Inquisition to life. It is apparent he did a lot of research for this book. My only complaint, and it is a small one is I think there could have been tighter editing. Other than that, I loved this book and will certainly read the second book, House of Rocamora. Highly recommended!
April 5, 2013
Rich historical detail and atmosphere is the background tapestry for the story of Vicente rising to power as a Dominican friar and confessor in the 17th century Spanish Court, an ambition that gave honor and fame to the family name. I enjoyed reading the novel though it does take time to read to absorb the detailed information. I highly recommended the novel for those interested in the religious atmosphere of Spain during this time.
December 18, 2011
This is heavy going. I am very much enjoying the Spanish court and the incredible font of historical information, but it's a book that takes some time to read.
Read
April 23, 2015Review to come.
April 22, 2016
A very interesting fictionalised biography of a complex man torn between who he really is and who he ought to be in C17 Spain. The author includes large junks of didactic history but the narrative is so interesting it falls into place without slowing this basically true story.
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