This novel is certainly out of the ordinary and not for the fainthearted. It tells the story of a Jesuit priest from Portugal Father Joaquin Martinez who leads his village of men women and children through numerous horrors plagued on them by the Japanese Shogun (emperor). The tortures that Father Martinez and his followers have to suffer are very graphically described. At times I felt too graphic so would recommend that this book is more suited to a male reader (without being sexist). For the history and descriptions and obvious research this book is worth reading and I enjoyed it till midway through I found it off putting when the religious overtones\ fantasy elements came in. Overall a good historical novel.