Excellent read with good historical facts, valuable lessons, and easy-to-relate-to characters.
Plot
Set during the Spanish Inquisition, two brothers living in the town of Seville convert to Protestantism and must bear, in their own ways, the burden of persecution laid upon them because of their beliefs.
Morality
Good is good; bad is bad. All characters struggle with right and wrong, but the brothers are strong in their belief and hold up even under pressure and torture. The Roman Catholic priests of the Inquisition are either stony-hearted, blind to the truth, afraid of higher powers in the church, or all three as they persecute Protestants.
Spiritual Content
The story is based upon a Protestant foundation, but because it's set during the Inquisition many of the background characters are Catholic. Alcock's handle on theology is wonderful, and the repentance of characters is deep and meaningful.
Violence
Believers are often burned at the stake or hanged, and there are brief mentions of past torture in parts of the story. The violence, however, is not described in graphic detail at any time.
Drug and Alcohol Content
Mentions and drinking of wine are spread throughout the story, but not in regards to drunkenness.
Sexual Content
None.
Crude or Profane Language or Content
None.
Conclusion
The Spanish Brothers is a beautiful, unique story of the Inquisition. Written in Old English, it has an enchanting style not often found in modern literature, and the story line is completely clean and Christian-based.
At the beginning of the tale the going is a little slow, picking up the pace later on.
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