Reader’s Recommendation: The Fencing Master, by Arturo Pérez-Reverte

The entirety of the novel and its epigraphs all come together at the very end, in a sequence that cuts very quickly like fencing itself. The Fencing Master is a mystery wrapped in the mundane living of a collection of an eclectic group. It’s the slight exasperation of those with views we hear often, politics we may hear from others though not be drawn into. Even when turmoil, upheaval and the magnum opus of our lives are made, these things simply happen. They are actualities, staring you in the face. The best art is silently impressive, shocking to exist.

The title drew me in, for the opportunity of the reality. What is real fencing about? Why not follow the experience of someone akin to a pianist, a teacher of the fascinating world of swordplay. Attention is given to an ordinary person with an interesting life. The protagonist’s character is embroiled, through no fault of his own in a mystery best unravelled, in the best manner of a surprise read.

The writing is gorgeous, rich in detail of a vivacious country even seen from the perspective of some of its least impressive inhabitants. Everything, from walking the streets, being investigated by a government official, or the smooth conversation of someone asking for fencing lessons is given a unique artistic flavour, a clarity that pulls the reader very clearly into the protagonist Don Jaime Astarloa’s eye.

I like the realism, the insight into 19th century Spanish culture, and this was a brilliant read from my first Spanniard. There is as much of a deliberate literary quality to this novel as there are to many others written by Arturo Pérez-Reverte.

Beginning with the experience of living through political turmoil, criminal mysteries, a mysterious woman; The Fencing Master does not read like noir, or a typical mystery novel. To me, it resembles what a fencing sword, what the fencing process is. People, shifting, focused. It is rapid, possessed of true human daring at points one struggles to register. “To me!” is a fantastic moment illustrating while rare, what real combat would truly be like, the madness and altogether plain reality of the world resembles the leitmotif of Magical Realism discussed within the original Narcos Series for example.

Life is a job, a calling we choose or was chosen for us. It is the places we sit to sip drinks quietly, with those we happen to hang out with. It can be distant events, the allure of new people. A tightly woven plot keeps this novel utterly grounded in reality, I find it has an ethereal quality. Often discussion of swords evokes fantasy, and none of that exists here. There is technical discussions, insight into a piece of history to explore. Richly written books offer the essence of plot, intriguing characters at time; most of all here the actualisation of a subject to enjoy pursuing. It’s not so much a painting of riotous colour, but the appreciation of an architectural landmark. A structure that took time, is laid out cleanly and carefully piece by piece.

All at once, the ‘duel’ or titular fencing detail is over at the very moment the novel is over. It draws back the immediate desire to re-read it. To drop in appreciation, which is rather clear in both a figure at the end, and the reader themselves. A mystery piece, a contemplative history of what would a normal man and fencing master, what would life in through the Glorious Revolution and new history happening to unaware and ordinary citizens be, these rich experiential mysteries are laid one upon the other and Arturo Pérez-Reverte’s prose itself is mainly decorative, offering a window into a time and culture unlike what else rests upon many a bookshelf.

Reference:

Pérez-Reverte, A. The Fencing Master. 1988.