Antonio Strozzi, a renowned manuscript illustrator from Florence, never could have imagined that a simple typographical mistake would take him on a grand, dangerous holy quest. The year is 1461, at the beginning of the printing revolution, and many monasteries, universities, and nobles purchased Gutenberg Bibles due to their affordability and availability. This list of buyers includes the San Miniato al Monte Monastery, where Antonio gets the chance to see the new Bible and spots an unacceptable capitalization error in God's name. He brings the problem to Abbot Fransisco's attention, who tasks him with heading to Mainz and getting a corrected Bible. Unfortunately, the scheming Prior Lorenzo, second-in-command at the monastery, has different plans. William Lower's The Typo: In the Name of God follows the adventures of Antonio and his assigned guard, Gabriele, as they travel across the Holy Roman Empire.

The novel is a unique blend of historical fiction, adventure, comedy, and religious and social commentary, drawing parallels to contemporary times. Antonio is a charming protagonist, erudite but naive about the world at large and somewhat scatterbrained in conversations. His interactions and growing relationship with the pragmatic, no-nonsense Gabriele make for hilarious and touching moments. While this duo takes the spotlight, I was pleasantly surprised by some of the minor characters, especially the oddly compelling dynamic between Lorenzo and his partners in crime. William Lower excels at balancing scenes of intrigue and tension with comedic moments that border on the surreal, and a historical tour through the Holy Roman Empire, allowing us time to pause and take in the sights and people. I recommend The Typo as a treat for fans of historical fiction and a source of commentary on modern life.

In The Typo: In the Name of God by William Lower, Antonio is a master illustrator and works for the San Miniato al Monte Monastery. Antonio is well-read and can speak various languages, including Latin. One day, Antonio is invited to an event to unveil a new Bible bought from the Gutenberg press. When it's Antonio's turn to view the Bible, he realizes there is a mistake in the sacred work. He intends to tell the abbot immediately, as this can be interpreted as blasphemy. The abbot reacts swiftly and is keen on the error being corrected. He instructs Antonio to check for other errors, and when the task is done, he makes arrangements for Antonio to travel to Gutenberg to have the Bible corrected. Prior Lorenzo is an ambitious man. He also believes that production of the Bible should remain in the hands of the clergy. When the problem with the Gutenberg Bible emerges, he decides to use the opportunity to solve the issue of laypeople printing the Bible. How will things turn out?

The Typo by William Lower is wonderfully written and takes the reader on a gripping journey filled with unexpected directions and moral dilemmas. This thought-provoking work got me thinking about various historical events, such as the Inquisition, and how events like the translation of the Bible affected the cause of Christianity. The characters are well-developed, and the work is filled with well-crafted dialogue that brings the story to life. The plot flowed seamlessly, leaving no room for confusion, and William also ensured all events were vividly captured, which helped create a mental picture of what was happening. The reader will also appreciate the excellent narration, which adds to the overall beauty of the work. This was a good read, and I look forward to reading something else by William Lower.

The Typo: In the Name of God by William Lower is a genuinely amusing and fascinating journey through fifteenth-century Europe, where the power of the Church and its leadership was not only revered but also deeply feared. Antonio Strozzi is a manuscript illustrator employed by the monks to reproduce and illustrate sacred texts, including that most valuable of them all, the Holy Bible. The ecclesiastical world is about to change forever with the production of the first ever mechanically printed Bible, the famous Gutenberg Bible. There is a problem, however, and Antonio discovered it. In the Gutenberg Bible, he discovers a typo; a minor one to be sure, but to the Prior of Antonio’s abbey, it is a blasphemy, and must be corrected. Antonio and a Priory guard, Gabriele, are tasked with a mammoth undertaking: to travel to Mainz, Germany, and confront Gutenberg, forcing him to correct the typo and reissue the Bible with the correct wording. It will be a journey through the forests and valleys of Europe, fraught with danger from bandits, treachery from colleagues, and no small measure of genuine surprise as two virtual strangers, Antonio and Gabriele, travel together, form a friendship, and gently discover each other’s secrets.

I loved that The Typo was written in a slightly tongue-in-cheek style, which just added to my enjoyment. William Lower peppered his narrative with modern-day equivalences and poked fun at historical records, and this just gave the story that element of farce, which tempered the danger and seriousness of the time. I did spot and appreciate the corollary between the introduction of the first printed Holy Scriptures and the age of the internet and the relentless rise of AI. The Church of the fifteenth century definitely faced an enormous challenge with the introduction of readily accessible scriptures, for, if not the masses at this point, then for the wealthy and highly educated. No longer would the Church have ultimate authority over the word of God, and no longer could they rule with absolute power, using fear as their ultimate weapon. This was a time of great change, and the Church’s answer to this danger was the terrible, pernicious persecution of the Inquisition. The author does a tremendous job of developing the characters and unfolding their true natures, feelings, and thoughts as the novel progresses. I particularly appreciated Antonio’s approach to the development of the printing press. Rather than seeing it as ending his career, he could see new possibilities springing from its introduction and acceptance. It is abundantly clear that this story is far from finished, and I am excited to learn what Antonio may have discovered in the Papal Library. This story is a fantastic read, beautifully told with a delicate touch, and I highly recommend it.

Words have consequences, and a single misspelled word is at the heart of The Typo: In the Name of God, a novel by William Lower. The story begins in 1461 in the city of Florence, where Antonio Strozzi is a well-known illustrator. During an inspection of one of the first printed Gutenberg Bibles, young Antonio discovers, to his dismay and shock, a typo. Panicked by this discovery, Antonio brings the issue to the attention of the local church authorities, who deem the printed mistake a sacrilege and a world-shattering event. Tasked with returning the Bible to Gutenberg and demanding a correction, Antonio is accompanied by the enigmatic and capable Gabriele, the chief of security for the local clergy. However, not everyone wants the issue resolved. Prior Lorenzo, who self-righteously believes that Bibles should only be produced by the church, sets out on a mission to stop Antonio. The result is a humorous yet dangerous game of cat and mouse across Italy and Central Europe.

Intrigue, adventure, and a touch of buffoonery align perfectly in The Typo: In The Name Of God by William Lower, resulting in a well-crafted, unique, and amusing tale. The story centers on a seemingly straightforward quest, yet there is much more to this novel. Themes of camaraderie, the struggle between those who seek progress and those who oppose it, and subtle but keen societal observations are present throughout the narrative. Character development is exceptional, featuring a cast of unique and thoughtfully crafted individuals, with Gabriele in particular "stealing the show". The pacing is brisk and lively, complemented by lighthearted prose filled with delightful surprises. Sure to enchant fans of historical fiction and adventure stories, The Typo is an exceptional title that I wholeheartedly recommend.