Mario Conde is hired by Elias Kaminsky, a Cuban-American, to investigate the sudden reappearance of a long-lost family heirloom—a small Rembrandt painting of Christ —at an auction in London.
It chronicles the long-term psychic costs of exile, loss of faith, and the struggle of Jewish refugees and contemporary Cubans to find their place in the world. Herejes (Spanish and French Edition) (Spanish E...
Reviewers from the Complete Review and NPR generally praise the novel's ambitious scope and Padura's prose, though some note that the dense historical middle section can feel "unbalanced" or slow compared to the detective narrative. It is widely considered one of Padura's most accomplished and "sweeping" works. Book Review: 'Heretics,' By Leonardo Padura - NPR Mario Conde is hired by Elias Kaminsky, a
The 17th-century "heretic" whose passion for art leads him to challenge religious dogma. Major Themes It is widely considered one of Padura's most
The novel explores "heresy" not just as a religious rebellion, but as the fundamental human right to exercise individual freedom and free will against oppressive systems—whether they be religious, political, or social.
A lengthy historical section follows Elias Ambrosius, a young Sephardic Jew in Amsterdam who defies his community’s laws by becoming an apprentice to Rembrandt. He serves as the model for the Christ painting that becomes the focal point of the family saga.
Conde also investigates the contemporary disappearance of a young girl, Judith Torres, which links back to the younger generation of the Kaminsky family in Havana. Key Characters