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whimsicalmeerkat's review against another edition
5.0
[b:People of the Book|1379961|People of the Book|Geraldine Brooks|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1239820658s/1379961.jpg|3020568] is a stunningly beautiful book about another stunningly beautiful book. It fictionalizes the true story of the Sarajevo Haggadah, a unique, 500-year old version of a book read at Jewish Passover Seders. It illustrates the story of how and why Passover came to be. [b:People of the Book|1379961|People of the Book|Geraldine Brooks|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1239820658s/1379961.jpg|3020568] looks at the fascinating story of the Haggadah's travels through the years and creates a story from them. All of the characters are fictional and some of the chapters are admittedly entirely fiction while others contain more factual information. While reading I did not care at all which was which and I am not certain I do now. [a:Geraldine Brooks|211268|Geraldine Brooks|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1303284528p2/211268.jpg].ostensibly tells the story of a book, but as the title hints, what she really tells is the story of a people.
tatibri's review against another edition
challenging
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
ctholt's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
rucsandra's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.25
BORING AF!
tashadandelion's review against another edition
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
sandiet's review against another edition
4.0
Using the backdrop of a very still fragile Sarajevo in 1996, Brooks introduces us to Hanna Heath, a rare book expert. Hanna has been called in to determine and conserve the authenticity of a magnificent discovery pulled from the ruins of the city. The Sarajevo Haggadah is an illuminated Hebrew manuscript created in 15th century Muslim ruled medieval Spain. The Haggadah was saved by Muslim librarian Ozren Karaman and he and Hanna establish an uneasy personal and working relationship. Hanna has to work under intense security and while she bristles at the restrictions, the restoration of the book and the history that is revealed in the process make it all worthwhile. We the readers are taken on an historical voyage across 5 centuries as we discover how a wine stain, salt crystals, a wing fragment, a white hair and a missing clasp tell the story of the travels of the Haggadah and the “people of the book”.
Told in reverse chronological order and alternating chapters between the present and the past, anti-Semitism and women’s struggle for independence play a crucial role in the telling of this story. The Haggadah brings together Muslims, Christians and Jews as they all recognize the beauty and significance of the manuscript and try to make sure it is kept out of harm’s way.
Inspired by the true story of the Sarajevo Haggadah, People of the Book is an historical work that deserves more than one read because it tells so many stories... it’s a history lesson, a mystery and a love story all wrapped up in one. Although the story tended to drag at times I found this to be a very insightful and interesting book that was well worth the read.
More info on the Sarajevo Haggadah can be found here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarajevo_Haggadah
Told in reverse chronological order and alternating chapters between the present and the past, anti-Semitism and women’s struggle for independence play a crucial role in the telling of this story. The Haggadah brings together Muslims, Christians and Jews as they all recognize the beauty and significance of the manuscript and try to make sure it is kept out of harm’s way.
Inspired by the true story of the Sarajevo Haggadah, People of the Book is an historical work that deserves more than one read because it tells so many stories... it’s a history lesson, a mystery and a love story all wrapped up in one. Although the story tended to drag at times I found this to be a very insightful and interesting book that was well worth the read.
More info on the Sarajevo Haggadah can be found here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarajevo_Haggadah
ceredonia's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
Moderate: Genocide, Religious bigotry, Racism, Racial slurs, and Death