Vatican Waltz

Prayer. Most fiction writers ask for our willing suspension of disbelief while the narrative of a novel unfolds. From the beginning to the end of his novel, Vatican Waltz, Roland Merullo tested my ability to maintain that suspension. Protagonist Cynthia Piantedosi is a single devout Catholic who prays daily and has on occasion intense spiritual experiences that her family members have called “spells.” The intensity of her prayer brings her a message from God: she is called to become a priest. Merullo proceeds to develop this theme from Revere, Massachusetts to Rome, packing the novel with lengthy descriptive language of Cynthia’s surroundings in almost every setting. Like most readers, I was surprised and taken aback by the unexpected ending, and closed the novel with my disbelief intact, no longer in a somewhat willing suspension. Rating: Three-star (It’s ok) Click here to purchase Vatican Waltz from amazon.com.