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Sierra, Javier : THE SECRET SUPPER

Atria, 2006

ISBN 9780743287647

A highly collectible first edition/printing (as stated) protected in a new brodart wrapper. The Da Vinci juggernaut rolls on, this time in the capable hands of a bestselling author in the Spanish-speaking world. The Secret Supper has been ably translated by Alberto Manguel, author of A History of Reading, that delightful revelation that squiggles on a page are words, and words make stories. Set in 1497 Milan, at the time of the painting of the Cenacolo, or The Last Supper, in the refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Sierra has created a tale of religious fanaticism, betrayal, murder, Church politics, artistic chicanery and mystery to confound the reader., Fine/Fine

Sierra, Javier (Translated by Alberto Manguel) : The Secret Supper

Atria Books, New York City, NY, 2006

ISBN 0743287649

First Edition / First Printing. Fine in Fine Dust Jacket. 330 pages. Rare Javier Sierra and "The Secret Supper" collectible set. A copy of "The Secret Supper" First American Edition/First Printing with a copy of the Advance Reader's Edition (ARC), both signed by Javier Sierra. Precede and should not be confused with all other subsequent editions, particularly copies that are signed on a tipped-in page. Presents Javier Sierra's "La cena secreta" in a felicitous English translation by Alberto Manguel. Better - and much better-written - than "The Da Vinci Code". "Milan, 1497: Leonardo Da Vinci is completing his masterpiece, 'The Last Supper'. Pope Alexander VI is determined to execute him after realizing that the painting contains clues to a baffling and blasphemous message, which he is determined to decode: The Holy Grail and the Eucharistic Bread are missing, there is no meat on the table, and most shockingly, the apostles are portraits of well-known heretics, none of them depicted with halos. And why has the artist painted himself into the scene with his back turned toward Jesus? The clues to Leonardo's greatest puzzle are right before our eyes" (Publisher's blurb). "A tale of religious fanaticism, betrayal, murder, Church politics, artistic chicanery, and mystery to confound the reader. Fra Agostino Leyre, a Papal Inquisitor, is sent to Milan to confirm the messages of The Soothsayer, who alleges that Leonardo Da Vinci is a heretic who has hidden messages in his painting of the Cenacolo. Leonardo himself is presented as a larger-than-life figure: Blue-eyed, tall, and handsome, always dressed in white, surrounded by faithful students and friends. His brilliant mind, ranging over a multitude of ideas, has gained him a reputation for 'hiding heterodox ideas in paintings only apparently pious'. What Father Agostino follows is a labyrinthine path through alliances and rivalries, differences of opinion about Leonardo, and a discussion of the heresy of the Cathars. They are a fascinating sect, more extra-Christianity than Christian heretics. Their practices are based on a belief that certain deprivations, primarily of food and sex, will purify and make them worthy. Takes the reader through palaces and monasteries rife with intrigue, typical of the flowering of intellect that came after the Dark Ages, and dangerous for the incumbency. A compelling case is made that Leonardo's heretical beliefs are there for all to see in 'The Last Supper' if only we know how to find them. Sierra gives us the key and keeps the suspense going right up to the end" (Valerie Ryan). An absolute "must-have" title for Javier Sierra collectors. This copy is very prominently, neatly, and beautifully signed and inscribed in black ink-pen on the title page by the author: "Enjoy the secret! Javier Sierra". It is signed directly on the page itself, not on a tipped-in page, as copies available online are. There is no recipient named. It also comes with a copy of the Advance Reader's Edition that is very prominently and beautifully signed in black ink-pen on the title page by the author. This title is a contemporary classic. As far as we know, this is the only such signed set (with a unique and lovely inscription, too) of the First American Edition/First Printing and Advance Reader's Edition available online and is in especially fine condition: Clean, crisp, and bright, pristine beauties. Please note: Copies available online have serious flaws, are subsequent printings, or are remainder-marked. This is surely an accessible and lovely alternative. A rare signed set thus. One of the most brilliant novelists of our time. A fine set. . ISBN 0743287649.

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