View our feature on Geraldine Books’s People of the Book.From the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of March, the journey of a rare illuminated manuscript through centuries of exile and war In 1996, Hanna Heath, an Australian rare-book expert, is offered the job of a lifetime: analysis and conservation of the famed Sarajevo Haggadah, which has been rescued from Serb shelling during the Bosnian war. … rescued from Serb shelling during the Bosnian war. Priceless and beautiful, the book is one of the earliest Jewish volumes ever to be illuminated with images. When Hanna, a caustic loner with a passion for her work, discovers a series of tiny artifacts in its ancient binding—an insect wing fragment, wine stains, salt crystals, a white hair—she begins to unlock the book’s mysteries. The reader is ushered into an exquisitely detailed and atmospheric past, tracing the book’s journey from its salvation back to its creation.
In Bosnia during World War II, a Muslim risks his life to protect it from the Nazis. In the hedonistic salons of fin-de-siècle Vienna, the book becomes a pawn in the struggle against the city’s rising anti-Semitism. In inquisition-era Venice, a Catholic priest saves it from burning. In Barcelona in 1492, the scribe who wrote the text sees his family destroyed by the agonies of enforced exile. And in Seville in 1480, the reason for the Haggadah’s extraordinary illuminations is finally disclosed. Hanna’s investigation unexpectedly plunges her into the intrigues of fine art forgers and ultra-nationalist fanatics. Her experiences will test her belief in herself and the man she has come to love.
Inspired by a true story, People of the Book is at once a novel of sweeping historical grandeur and intimate emotional intensity, an ambitious, electrifying work by an acclaimed and beloved author.more
This is a great historical fiction story. All of the pieces tie together really well and even small characters are fully formed.
A multi-layered book about a very rare book, a 14th century Haggadah, and the people the book has interacted with over the centuries. The historical settings are realistic and well described and the modern heroine is well portrayed in her determination to unearth the truth
I’ve long been fascinated by old books—I have an uncle who sells rare volumes. So I’ve been privileged to hold fifteenth- and sixteenth- century books in my hands, and ruminated about how many other hands might’ve held them over the centuries between us. Author Geraldine Brooks took the true story of this rare, priceless book—the Sarajevo Haggadah—an incredibly illuminated Hebrew manuscript from fifteenth-century Spain, and used it as the inspiration to tell the stories of several key people who saved it over the centuries. Her novel is graceful, insightful, heart-thumping exciting, and thoroughly absorbing. Highly recommended, especially for people for people who have a passion for Books with a capital B.
I read this years ago, but I’ve thought about it since. It unfolds backwards in time, from the present discovery of a beautifully illustrated Torah, all the way through its every owner, back to the original illustrator, through the centuries, wars, kingdoms, lovers, dynasties….a beautifully imagined story, highly descriptive, and long enough to really sink yourself into. One of my top ten of all time.
Geraldine Brooks at her best. Based on a true story, the book gives an insight into the world of ancient manuscripts, their restoration, history and forgery all in an excellent story.
I read this years ago – when it was first released. It’s a timeless special book!
Well written history of the Jewishnpeople. I highly recommend it.
Fascinating historical fiction, unraveling backwards with interesting characters, against a backdrop of modern events. One of my most memorable reads!
This is a great story told in a very original way. The chapters alternate between back in time going forward and present time going backwards. They meet in the middle at the end. It’s historical fiction that seems to be well researched.
Engrossing book that moves Thru centuries and cultures beautifully – plus an excellent back story about mother-daughter relationships. While I’m not Jewish this story made me explore the Jewish culture and history more. Hard to realize that at one point Sarajevo was the center of religious tolerance.
Great read one of my favorites
I throughly enjoyed this book. By the end of each chapter I couldn’t wait to begin reading the next one.
A must read!
Loved this book. Memorable, interesting, well written, beautiful story.
I really loved this book, its characters, the various stories involved. I think about this book often and it has been a number of years since I read it.
This was one of the best books I’ve ever read; Brooks does an excellent job with the unique story line and many well-developed characters. Hard to put down. Also a great audio book to listen to on a long road trip – the time just flies by.
This is currently my favorite book. It’s a unique twist on historical fiction thru different time periods religious viewpoints and historical events
I found it a fascinating read. Historical fiction based on an actual book—the Sarajevo Haggadah, a beautifully illustrated Jewish prayer book created in the 15th century in Spain. Tiny clues are found in the book — an insect wing, a white hair, a wine stain, salt crystals, a missing set of clasps. The stories behind these artifacts illustrate the often-violent history of the people associated with the Haggadah.
A Well Told Story
Informative method of presenting book discovery