Archive - January 11, 2014

Vatican Waltz Roland Merullo (Micronesia 1979–80) Crown Publishing Group $23.00 (hardcover), $9.59 (Kindle), $29.95 (audio CD) 293 pages 2013 Reviewed by Patricia Taylor Edmisten (Peru 1962-64) • Cynthia Clare Pantedosi, the innocent, young protagonist of Roland Merullo’s novel, Vatican Waltz, enjoys a rich prayer life. Raised a Catholic in Boston, Cynthia senses that God may be communicating with her through visions, but she’s aware that they might simply be foolish day dreams. She’s a serious, humble woman who studies nursing and cooks for her father whose English still reflects his deep, Italian roots. She discusses her visions with Father Alberto, a liberal Catholic priest who comes to accept that Cynthia is not disturbed, and that God may be calling her to the priesthood. It is Father Alberto who gives Cynthia the nudge she needs to meet with the bishop who, after interviewing Cynthia, reluctantly points her toward Rome. The novel . . .