“Vatican Waltz” by Roland Merullo is a novel that can be read on a number of levels. The basic story revolves around Cynthia Piantedosi, a young woman who has experienced religious “spells” almost all her life. Eventually she feels so strongly about what she feels God is telling her that she seeks guidance and support from the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. On another level, Merullo uses his plot as a platform to indict the Catholic Church for greed, corruption, and a loss of its mission in the world. As the novel ends, a third purpose is presented involving Cynthia’s story and that of the Virgin Mary.
Although Merullo’ s themes deal with religious experiences and the role of religion in today’s world, especially the Catholic Church, this novel is very readable. This is not a story for everyone, but it does pose a number of important questions that many readers will find thought provoking.