THE VOYAGE OF THE EVANGELIST

In Gandy’s novel set early in the ninth century, Venetian merchant sailors tangle with an emir and attempt to smuggle the bones of a saint from Alexandria to Venice.

Rustico, a Venetian merchant, decides to brave the Adriatic and the Mediterranean and, by sail and oar, go all the way to Constantinople, a rich trading nexus. He’s accompanied by his son, Gianni, and by the Doge’s right-hand man, Bono of Malamocco (and, of course, his crew). All goes well until they’re attacked and captured by the forces of Abu Hafs, who’s set himself up as the emir on the island of Crete. For their freedom, they must be his envoys to Alexandria, from whence troublemaker Abu was expelled. Gianni and Irene, a refugee from slavers, will be held hostage until Rustico’s return. In Alexandria, the crew attempts to pull off a caper involving St. Mark’s casketed bones and a sly method to avoid inspectors. What follows is a dramatic standoff; will the crew return safely to Venice, and will Abu get his comeuppance? Some of Gandy’s characters here are fictional but the caper at the novel’s heart, involving the remains of St. Mark, patron saint of Venice, is historically true, and it involved the historical Rustico and Bono (aka Buono). These are likable and honorable characters, as portrayed by the author, and readers get a good sense of what life was like for people of their economic class and position. Irene and her younger brother, Boris, also come off as realistic characters of the era. Wisely leaving Bulgaria for better opportunities (and safety), they’re shown to be up for anything; they’re courageous, resourceful, and, most importantly, stoical—Irene, especially. A later interlude, after a voyage, celebrates a domesticity that underscores the good life that readers will want for the characters. And a question hovers: Is the story’s end result a product of the characters’ skills or due to pure luck—or, perhaps, divine intercession?

A skillfully written tale that effectively dramatizes an unusual historical episode.