Justification of Johann Gutenberg: A Novel

By Blake Morrison

Around 1400, in the city of Mainz, a man was born whose heretical invention was to change history. Some sixty years later he died — robbed of his business, his printing presses, and, so he thought, his immortality.

In his dazzling first novel, Morrison gives us Gutenberg’s “testament” — his justification, dictated to one of the young scribes his invention will soon put out of work. Thus Morrison conjures up the haunting figure of Gutenberg himself: a man who gambled everything — money, honour, friendship and a woman’s love — on the greatest invention of the last millennium.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: May 14, 2010
• ISBN: 9780385672184

Blake Morrison

Blake Morrison is the author of the bestselling memoir And When Did You Last See Your Father? and another critically acclaimed memoir, Things My Mother Never Told Me, as well as two collections of poems, a children's book and a study of the Bulger case, As If. He lives in London.

Reviews for Justification of Johann Gutenberg

[drrox_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

An interesting historical novel exploring the life and times of the man who revolutionised the culture of Medieval Europe through his invention of printing, and production of the first printed Bible. Hard biographical evidence about Gutenberg's life is sketchy to say the least and in his afterword Morrison admits he had to make up a lot of the action, but nonetheless this novel captures the sights, sounds and smells of Medieval Germany brilliantly and in his version of Gutenberg, Morrison has created a fascinating figure. In his single-minded pursuit of his dream of 'mechanical writing' Gutenberg stakes everything and is not afraid to mislead or betray others to bring his invention to life. He cannot be said to be a fully likeable narrator but its hard not to admire the force of his drive and the calibre of his mind. More than anything else, this is a story about the double-edged sword of obsession. The novel is a melancholy one in many respects because, like many of the greatest revolutions, the effects of Gutenberg's work were not fully recognised or understood in his own life time. Illuminating stuff.

[jaygheiser · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Gutenberg is portrayed as something of an ambivalent character--someone with adequate character flaws to offend virtually every reader, yet also with redeeming features. It is intriguing to consider that a 15th century inventor might have many parallels to contemporary high-tech entrepreneurs, constantly searching out and seducing investors who are constantly looking for financial backers and business deals.

[kevn57-163679 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Interesting story of Gutenberg's life, although at times the story does seem to get a bit bogged down.