The Typo

"The Typo: In the Name of God," is a historical satire set in Florence in 1461, centered around the introduction of the printing press and the fictional discovery of the world's first typo, found in a Gutenberg Bible.

The ensuing intrigue and journey connected to the correction of this error, the narrative weaves a story involving several characters: Antonio Strozzi, a Florentine master manuscript illustrator who discovers the typo; Gabriele, the head of security for the San Miniato al Monte Monastery; Prior Lorenzo, a cunning and ambitious monk; Guglielmo, a homeless man used as a messenger; and others including monks, thieves, and clergy during their travels across Italy and into Germany.

Key Plot Highlights:

• The story begins with Antonio, the monastery's star manuscript illustrator discovering a typo in the Gutenberg Bible, specifically a lowercase "d" in the word "Deus" where it should be capitalized.
• Antonio is tasked by the abbot of San Miniato al Monte Monastery to take the Bible back to Gutenberg in Mainz, Germany, accompanied by the monastery's head guard, Gabriele, to have the mistake corrected. The irony is that the printing press will render Antonio's profession as a manuscript illustrator, obsolete.
• The narrative details Antonio's and Gabriele's journey, encountering various obstacles including thieves, internal Church politics, and conspiracies aimed at preventing the correction.
• During their journey, Antonio becomes increasingly attracted to Gabriele and grows anxious over his attraction since such bonds are forbidden in the age of the Inquisition.
• Gabriele senses Antonio's growing attraction and also struggles with the developing relationship.
• The Church's role in controlling the dissemination and authenticity of scriptures is a central theme, with clerical figures plotting to maintain ecclesiastical control.
• The journey includes intimate character development, swordsmanship lessons, interactions at inns and monasteries, and the influence of historical context such as the Inquisition and the Medici family.
• A parallel subplot includes Guglielmo's dangerous mission to deliver letters warning of conspiracies, aided by a healer named Seraphina.
• The story explores themes of faith, power, truth, knowledge control, and personal loyalty.
• Antonio's secret disbelief of much of the Bible's narrative reveals itself throughout their journey.
• Just before arriving in Mainz, in an emotionally-charged moment in an inn, Antonio confesses his love for Gabriele.
• There is detailed attention to historical accuracy in settings, social customs, and language referencing Latin, medieval monastic life, and Renaissance Italy.

Heartily recommended! - Historical Novel Society review by Karen Bordonaro

An amusing medieval adventure, full of mischief and mayhem, plays out on the pages of this cleverly entertaining tale. It follows Antonio, a talented manuscript illustrator from Florence on his quest in 1461 to reach Johannes Gutenberg in Mainz, to fix a typo in a newly printed Bible. More than just a simple mistake, this typo could be construed as blasphemy or heresy by religious officials who see their authority dissipating in a dawning world of print not controlled by the Church. Antonio is joined on this journey by the enigmatic Gabriele, the senior guard from the Florence monastery where the newly printed Bible is due to be displayed. Threaded in and out of their travels are many other folks, all of whom have some kind of interest in potentially preventing or helping Antonio succeed in reaching Gutenberg to have a replacement page reprinted.

What makes this adventure tale especially gratifying is not only the surface humor, but also the deeper strands that show both the best and worst of human nature among all the characters and their interactions. For example, a lighthearted dialogue on why religious worship can be sensual is humorously defined through the senses (the sight of light streaming in stained glass windows, the sound of monks chanting, and the smell of burning incense). Yet, how religion is experienced is seriously questioned through the thoughts of characters throughout the narrative. The levity of the narrator tying plot elements to 21st-century understandings is likewise very funny, but again, the satire shines through the centuries.

"One of the best books I have reviewed this year. I wish I could give it six stars. In many places, I laughed out loud. This book will appeal to anyone with a sense of humor and a different take on a piece of history. I highly recommend this book to any reader, not just those who like history but who also enjoy tales of adventure and travel through Europe centuries ago." Lucinda E Clarke 5 Stars Readers Favorite

"One of the best books I have reviewed this year. I wish I could give it six stars. In many places, I laughed out loud. This book will appeal to anyone with a sense of humor and a different take on a piece of history. I highly recommend this book to any reader, not just those who like history but who also enjoy tales of adventure and travel through Europe centuries ago." Lucinda E Clarke 5 Stars Readers Favorite