Description
ACTA MARTYRUM
Book Summary
Jordi Fontescà, heir to the memory of a singular archaeologist, travels to Israel to unravel one of his family's great enigmas. According to the evidence, his great-great-grandfather discovered an extraordinary object during excavations, but hid its existence due to a pact with his colleagues, each of a different creed. The agreement intended to protect an exceptional testimony about a legendary and syncretic figure: a soldier named Jordi, a tribune in the court of Diocletian, who shares places of worship between Muslims and Christians. A novel that blends historical mystery, faith, and ancestral secrets.
What is it about?
The novel follows Jordi Fontescà, a man of the world and the great-great-grandson of a peculiar archaeologist, on his quest through Israel. His goal is to solve one of the mysteries that marked his ancestor's life: the discovery of a unique and extraordinary object during excavations. However, his great-great-grandfather sealed a pact of silence with his fellow excavators, each with a different religious sensibility, to prevent anyone from possessing or misrepresenting the testimony of a legendary and syncretic figure. This figure is that of a soldier named Jordi, a tribune at the court of Emperor Diocletian, whom Pope Gelasius I canonized just before declaring that the account of his martyrdom was apocryphal. The plot intertwines the current investigation with the ancient past, exploring the boundaries between faith, history, and myth.
Main themes
- Historical and archaeological mystery: the search for a hidden object and the pact of silence between scholars of different religions.
- Religious syncretism: the figure of Saint George as an element shared between Christians and Muslims, with common places of worship.
- Faith and skepticism: the conflict between popular belief, ecclesiastical tradition, and historical truth.
- Family legacy: the influence of the past and the secrets passed down through generations.
Who is it recommended for?
Recommended for readers of historical fiction who enjoy archaeological mystery plots, especially those interested in the intersection between different cultures and religions. Also for anyone looking for a novel that combines adventure, investigation, and reflection on the value of historical testimonies.
What this book offers
- An intriguing plot that invites reflection on how history and religion can converge on the same legendary figure.
- A literary journey through Israel and the ancient world, with archaeological details that enrich the narrative.
- An original vision of religious syncretism and the construction of myths around historical characters.
- A novel awarded the 2019 Sebastià Juan Arbó Literary Prize, which guarantees its literary quality.
Technical specifications
- Author: Vicenç Ambros i Besa
- Publisher: Cossetània Edicions
- Language: Catalan
- Genre: Historical fiction
- Collection: Notes de color
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: February 2020
- Number of pages: 160
- Weight: 350 g
Editorial review
ACTA MARTYRUM is a novel that stands out for its ability to weave a mystery plot around a figure as universal as Saint George, from a historical and syncretic perspective. The author, Vicenç Ambros i Besa, constructs an agile and well-documented narrative that maintains the reader's interest, combining archaeological investigation with the weight of family legacy. Its publication within the Notes de color collection by Cossetània Edicions, together with the recognition of the Sebastià Juan Arbó Prize, make it a recommended work for lovers of historical fiction who are looking for an intelligent and suggestive read.