Q

Author: Luther Blissett

ISBN: 0099439832

A game of Renaissance cat and mouse, played across decades of upheaval and turmoil.

Reviewed by Matthew Talbot ( Matt G T )

 

Rather than a 1980’s English footballer, Q was written by a group of four Italian authors who were part of the “Luther Blissett Project” which began in the mid 1990’s.  Ending just before the turn of the millennium, the writers are now known by the name Wu Ming but it is perhaps this, their first widely publicised collaboration that is their most famous work. 

Set in the Sixteenth century the book traces the lives of two men over a period of 30 years, both of whom traverse the social, political and religious landscape of the period.  Cast as rivals, they are set on opposite sides of the reformation and as one seeks to find his purpose amongst the Anabaptist offshoots of Protestant movement, he is constantly dogged by the shadowy figure known as Q, who is in the employ of the Catholic faith.

Although the book can be read in many different ways it is essentially the tale of lost souls trying to struggle above the grand set-plays that surround them, ultimately doomed to fail.  The story is littered with sad endings and this, above anything, gives a real sense of how hard life was at this time.  Death came cheaply and without surprise.

Some background in the history of Christianity is preferable to get the most out of the book, but if you just want to read it for the story, you will not be let down.  It is wonderfully written, easy to navigate and as you move from one decade to the next; one major event to another; you are left with a real sense of journey that leaves you immersed within the Renaissance world. 

Don’t let the page count put you off.  The short chapters, inserted letters and general style makes you fly through them and far from being a relief at the end, you might be left wanting more.

Raised on a diet of the Tudors?  Read Q and see what was happening to the rest of Europe.    

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