The Troublesome Offspring Of Cardinal Guzman

With the same ebullient storytelling luxuriant prose and
irrepressible eroticism he brought to The War of Don
Emmanuels Nether Parts and Se?or Vivo and the Coca Lord
Louis de Berni?res continues his chronicle of Cochadebajo
the Andean village where macho philosophers defrocked
priests and reformed (though hardly inactive) prostitutes
cohabit in cheerful anarchy. But this unruly utopia is
imperiled when the demon-harried Cardinal Guzm?n decides
to inaugurate a new Inquisition with Cochadebajo as its
ultimate target. On his side the Cardinal has an army of
fanatics who are all too willing to destroy bodies in
order to save souls. The Cochadebajeros have precious
little ammunition unless you count chef Doloress
incendiary Chicken of a True Man and a civil defense that
deems nothing more crucial than the act of love. Part epic
part farce The Troublesome Offspring of Cardinal Guzm?n
confirms de Berni?ress reputation as Englands answer to
Gabriel Garc?a M?rquez.