Saturday, February 2, 2008

People of the Book

I had seen this book in the bookstore and read a few reviews from fellow bloggers, so I was happy I got through the queue at the library pretty quickly. Having not read Brooks' other books, I wasn't sure what do expect since those I spoke to previously had given Pulitzer Prize-winning March mixed reviews. But, the dedication to the book says, "For the librarians" and from there on out I knew I was going to love it.

I can't think of a way to describe it that will do the book justice. I've seen it compared to The DaVinci Code, but this is in no way and action packed thriller. It is a much more humanistic look at a fictional history of the real-life Sarajevo Haggadah. The chapters alternate between the modern-day book conservationist and the historical events that transpired which help unravel the mystery of how the book came to be in its modern-day setting. The librarian and genealogist in me definitely found the plot engaging, although sometimes I felt a little lost in the abundance of details.

I highly recommend this one and will definitely be adding Brooks' other two novels to my TBR list in the future.

4 comments:

Danielle said...

I have had to set this aside temporarily while I try and finish an ILL book, but I did pick it back up last night. I'm really enjoying it as well!

SFP said...

Fellow Charlottean here! Finished this one this morning. Loved it. I think it's Brooks' best yet.

March is very good, but it helps if you think of the main character as Bronson Alcott instead of the father of the March girls. . . Did you see Brooks when she came to CPCC Literary Festival?

Susan

Tricia said...

SFP: I love Charlotte! I don't think I lived here though when Brooks came. Was it in 2005?

SFP said...

It probably was. It was the year March came out.

We've been in Charlotte since '87.

Do you take your LIS classes at UNCC? I work in Atkins. . .