The Story

Picture late 1500s England – it’s strict, it's a bit crazy, and being the wrong religion can get you hanged, drawn, and quartered. That’s the world of Blessed Edmund Campion. He starts off as this ultra-brilliant scholar, a huge name at Oxford, basically the academic cool kid. But he decides he's been too ambitious and becomes a Catholic priest, which is literally a crime. So, he gets smuggled back into England as an undercover missionary, hanging out with secret Catholics. He writes a groovy little book defending his faith ('Decem Rationes'), manages to print it, and think he's fighting the good fight. Except, his biggest enemy is a guy named George (and mostly a monstrous anti-Catholic agent named Richard Topcliffe), who captures him like the hero and pulls him and a whole lot of people into a massive manhunt. His trial is totally insane – classic case. He goes to that death, manages to be ridiculously chill, and becomes This insane myth because of the horrifical story.

Why You Should Read It

This is miles ahead of a standard book reports. The fascination with Campion is not an easy statement: He was terrifyingly normal – wild passionate and ready to die. Reading about life back then, all claustrophobic: Nobody can punch you safe except secret word and complicated lives. There's a powerful gloom; it's equally heartbreaking and fire. The characters may be of a thousand years old, but the desperate nature of meeting unknownness is universal.

Final Verdict

Terrific for: Period readers looking for stunningly pure narrative stories. Mostly anyone asking tough ponderous slice on life’s twist though the weight the society carries heavy. Perfect if you trust a fully believable fast-pacer.