Jessica: The Secret Supper by Javier Sierra and Alberto Manguel

I know I've reviewed other Da Vinci Code-esque books before, but I just can't help it. Every time I come across a book that relates to that genre of historical fiction, I want to read it.

The Secret Supper by Javier Sierra and Alberto Manguel tells the tale of Leonardo's masterpiece The Last Supper from someone who was there (fictionally speaking). Someone close to Leonardo is sending cryptic messages to a church members which starts an investigation. Is the Master (Leonardo) really putting secret message into The Last Supper, and if so, what do they mean? Little by little the "truth" is revealed, but not before some monks are murdered.

This book had some good points and some bad ones. It took me about a month to get through this book... I think just because of the writing. It didn't flow so well to me. I'm not sure if it's because it was originally written in Spanish and translated, or if maybe it was the language used during that time. Either way... I eventually finished it.

I liked it because unlike Da Vinci Code or other similar books, there was more clues revealed about The Last Supper. Clues about the disciple's coloring, hand gestures, and overall appearance. We learn the message Leonardo was leaving in this masterpiece of his. The truth.

Part of the Father Agostino's note regarding Leonardo's truth:

Jesus had never instituted the Eucharist as the only means of reaching Him. Rather the contrary was true. His teachings to John and Mary Magdalene were aimed at showing us how to find God within ourselves, without having recourse to exterior artifices. Jesus was a Jew. He saw how the priests exercised control over God by shutting Him up in the Tabernacle. And he fought against it. Fifteen centuries later, Leonardo became the secret carrier of the revelation, which he entrusted to his Cenacolo [Last Supper].

Yes, I know this book is fiction, but I still love this kind of stuff!