Reading Group

In 1613, a strange deputation of Japanese warriors sets sail across the

Pacific, en route for Europe, via Mexico. Guided by the zealous Catholic

missionary, Father Velasco, their mission is commercial, diplomatic and

spiritual, culminating in a meeting with the Pope. Cleverly extrapolated

from actual historical events, this colourful and expansive historical

novel by the author of Silence is a rich depiction of clashing cultures

and a subtle exploration of the interaction between, faith, politics and

ambition. Robert