“Vassals of the Valley” by Robin Sebolino. Plaza Books. (Manila, 2022). 301 pp., $14.99.
We live in conflicted times. As war and bloodshed continue to escalate in many places throughout the world — including Ukraine, Sudan and the Middle East — the Holy Father has called the world to embrace peace. We Catholics pray for peace every day in our parishes and homes. And yet, here in Minnesota, many of us (though certainly not all) have spent our lives sheltered from the realities of violent conflict. It can be tempting to see “peace” as a given, instead of something precious and in need of preserving, something with real value.
In his novel “Vassals of the Valley,” Robin Sebolino introduces the reader to the setting of 16th-century Luzon, the largest island of the Philippines — a setting where peace is certainly not a guarantee. The central character of the novel, a man named Kalag, stands at an interesting juncture of the problem of peace; an ex-pirate with a history of violent misdeeds behind him, he now seeks a life as free from bloodshed as possible. For Kalag has a secret, which he must keep from his enemies at all costs: The former warrior has developed a condition that causes him to faint at the sight of blood.
Included among those enemies are Datu (Chief) Mactal, who has taken up with Kalag’s sister, Tala — who purports to practice magic and talk to spirits — and Don Fernando, the gobernardorcillo (local Filipino governor) of the nearby pueblo of Nueva Avila, who is currying favor with the dangerous pirate Captain Kenki against the wellbeing of the town. Thankfully, among his allies Kalag can count his sister Doña Margarita and her husband Don Pedro, also residents of the pueblo, his servant Aton and his sons, and Padre Domingo, the local Spanish priest.
From the mountain villages of Luzon and the colonial town of Nueva Avila to the bustling multicultural city of Manila, Sebolino tracks Kalag’s journey in search of peace, prosperity and just enough adventure to suit his tastes. He even converts to Catholicism (albeit for less than devout reasons). But when the pirates begin to harass Nueva Avila and Spanish authorities prove ineffective at defending the town, Kalag’s control over his secret condition and his new Christian values are faced with their greatest challenge yet.
“Vassals of the Valley” is a skillful historical novel that paints a vivid picture of its world and rewards its readers with a fiery finale. The pacing is a bit slower than contemporary audiences might be used to, and the style more reminiscent of 20th century Catholic novelists; in a 2023 interview, Sebolino cited Tolkein, Hemmingway and Endo, among others, as his literary inspirations, and this novel feels at home in that venerable canon. The novel’s characters feel fresh and alive, especially the hardnosed Doña Margarita and the wistfully ambitious Padre Domingo. Its lush descriptions of 16th century life in the Philippines and devotion to historical accuracy are vividly immersive, transporting the reader back to a time and place not their own. And it is in this setting that Sebolino makes the fragility of life felt and puts Christian values into creative tension with the dangers of living in a sinful world, asking readers to consider how violence, especially unnecessary violence, affects the human soul — and consequently, just how highly they should value peace.
Reichert is publications administrative coordinator at The Catholic Spirit. She can be reached at reichertm@archspm.org.
