A Papal Birthday, a Perfect Read: Why Upon This Rock Belongs on Your Reading List This Summer
A Papal Birthday, a Perfect Read: Why Upon This Rock Belongs on Your Reading List This Summer
May 26 marks the birthday of one of the most pivotal—and often misunderstood—figures in papal history: Giulio di Medici, later Pope Clement VII, born in 1478. And in this month when conversation about the Papacy is everywhere, what better time to dive into a novel that blends historical intrigue, contemporary mystery, and ecclesiastical drama than David Eugene Perry’s celebrated work, Upon This Rock?
From the moment Giulio di Medici ascended to the papal throne in 1523, his tenure was marked by seismic shifts in European history: the Protestant Reformation, the Sack of Rome, and volatile politics between empires. But beyond the dusty pages of history books, Clement VII lives again—vividly and compellingly—in the pages of Upon This Rock, now in its second printing and actively in screenplay development.
David Eugene Perry’s debut novel has become a word-of-mouth favorite for readers who love their thrillers soaked in authentic detail and historical drama, and spiced with sharp wit and contemporary relevance. The story, set in the ancient Italian town of Orvieto, follows a gay American couple as they stumble upon a modern mystery rooted in Renaissance intrigue, religious scandal, and yes—Pope Clement VII himself.
As Palm Springs Life notes, Perry “relies heavily on his background in journalism and a lifetime passion for history and the Vatican,” and the result is a book that is equal parts gripping and erudite. The settings feel lived-in. The facts are real. The humor is sly. And the narrative moves with the energy of a Dan Brown thriller but with the literary polish of Umberto Eco.
What makes May the ideal time to revisit—or discover—Upon This Rock? It’s a season of renewal, reflection, and reevaluation—mirroring the very themes at the heart of Perry’s novel. And with Pope Clement VII’s birthday on the calendar, it’s a chance to learn about the man who unintentionally helped usher in the modern era by failing to contain the Reformation, and who makes a central appearance in a book that’s as current as today’s headlines.
So whether you’re fascinated by Renaissance history, modern conspiracies, or just love a smart, stylish mystery set in one of Italy’s most beautiful towns, Upon This Rock is this month’s essential read.
Order it now. Read it twice. And stay tuned for the film.
www.davideugeneperry.com