17th C. Japan - Rodrigues, an idealistic Jesuit priest covertly joins the outlawed Christians to discover why his former mentor has apostatised. He see himself as a Christ figure with his own Gethsemane, his own Judas - a wretch called Kichijiro. Forced to witness the sadistic torture and executions of the peasant Christians, he is haunted by the question: Lord why are you silent? - then at his darkest hour, as he tramples on what he holds most dear, there is a glimmer of light.
(Jenny Baker - bwl 84 Spring 2017 ) |
