The Inquisitor's Diary

An admirably convincing period piece, this new novel by Lewis (Berlin Cantata) is presented as the diary of Fray Alonso, an ambitious 17th century Franciscan working for the Office of the Inquisition in Mexico City. Waylaid by a rival inquisitor, he is sent into the countryside of New Spain to rout out marranos-Jews forcibly converted to Christianity who have returned to their old habits. But beset by disease and Apache attacks, Fray Alonso finds only a mysterious Christ-like mute whom he suspects of "judaizing" tendencies. As they travel back to Mexico City, the sincerity and integrity of "the Dumb One" begins to challenge Fray Alonso's own faith and murderous evangelical mission. The novel is at its best when it veers into the miraculous and supernatural%E2%80%94though mute, the captured heretic seems capable of theological debate with Fray Alonso's via a telepathic voice that belies his simple nature%E2%80%94though it is not difficult to see where this story must end. Lewis has created a fascinating figure in Fray Alonso, a man equally priggish and pitiable, but the well-trod plot cannot always sustain narrative tension and Fray Alonso's spiritual journey at times flattens the novel's evocative and challenging ideas. (Oct.)