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
Learned so much about book conservation, Sarajevo, and the historic Haggadah found there.
Intriguing premise, presented in a realistic manner. Should appeal to people with many different foci on history.
Well written and engrossing. Not a “beach read”; takes a bit thought. Worth reading.
Imaginative author, interesting back stories of what could have happened. Makes you think when you pick up a used copy of a book.
The best work by the author.
This novel is filled with interesting tidbits of history. It is charming and well written.
One of the best books I have ever read.
Loved it
One of my all time favorite books.
I found the story somewhat hard to believe and difficult to follow in places. Brooks imaginatively tells the story of a Jewish text through the centuries by switching between the main character and characters of the past which. I found the ending somewhat trite and unfulfilling.
Thought providing and a delightful read . . .
It is somewhat like an abbreviated Michener historical novel: different characters with different stories from different time periods contributing to the whole.
I am a book lover, and for some reason, this book just struck me. I have read it more than once, and I don’t do that bery often. It made me go and read all of the Geraldine Brooks books that I could get my hands on. This is her best one.
People of the Book is a story within a story. An Australian book conservator, Hanna Heath, is called to Sarajevo to evaluate and repair a long-lost Haggadah. The book alternates between telling the story of Hanna and telling the story of the book she is called to evaluate. The story of the Haggadah throughout various time periods was the best part of the book. The various characters involved in the creation and preservation of the book were interesting. The story of Hanna’s life was less interesting. It felt forced – something to fill the space between the lapse’s of time in which the Haggadah surfaced throughout its history. I purchased through BookBub for $1.99. Overall a good read.
I found this book to be both informative and troubling. It traces – in reverse – the history of a beautifully illustrated ( an oddity in itself) Jewish text from the present day in post- Balkan war Sarajevo back through the Spanish Inquisition. In doing so, it also tells the tragic but heroic stories of the people – of all religions – through whose hands the ancient text passes. Interspersed between the historic interludes is a present day story of the young woman who was tasked with the job of repairing and restoring the text. The troubled relationship between the very highly respected and well educated young restorer and her Type A, very critical neurosurgeon mother is vividly described. All in all, a very good and informative read.
A Romance Novel — when “romance” was the term used for adventure and discovery — in this case, it’s all about uncovering the story of a handwritten and illustrated book traced through centuries. I’m ready to read this book again.
An engrossing read with nuanced characters imaginatively presented!
Wonderful story
If I had to pick a book other than The Bible as my all time absolute favorite it would seriously be this wonderfully written, beautifully composed novel. I have read it several times and each time I absolutely love it. Sounds gushy I know but true!
This book is a wonderful visit to past histories. I’m reminded that I will truly enjoy reading it again. Every aspect of the many stories within this novel are totally envisioned so the reader walks in each different world. Geraldine Brooks is such an amazing writer. I owe myself to read everything she has written. This is the book that will take you away to perfectly realized worlds. You will be entertained and you’ll learn real history.