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alijc's review
3.0
A generally favorable impression. Quibbles were the book's DanBrownishness, and the sometimes jarring transistions between 1st and 3rd person. What was appreciated was King's acceptance of the intelligence of his readers, and the great sense of place in the book. (I had found some prints of Nonsuch House on the internet and brought them to the meeting. It was surprising to me how big it was - four stories tall and completely overarching London Bridge, and extending far past the width of the bridge.)
ellsbeth's review
3.0
This book has some useful insights on the history of the Catholic vs. Protestant conflicts in Europe. The narrative was a bit fuzzy at times. I think I liked the concept of the book more than the book itself.
logophile's review
2.0
I was rather disappointed by this book. A historic mystery involving a library, a mysterious woman, a swashbuckling adventurer, espionage, and secret books—how could you go wrong? Ross King manages to, though. An unexpectedly somber ending seemed totally inappropriate for the amusing, sometimes comic, story that precedes. The convoluted resolution, including the destinies of some key characters, was abruptly and unsatisfyingly explained to us like a history lesson in the final few pages. By the end, I was quite confused, but that was okay because I just didn't care.
meg_elyse's review against another edition
3.0
Backstory: Once I was seven years old. My mom didn't tell me anything about making friends or being lonely (terribly attempted musical reference) but I very often visited the library and took home more books than the librarians assumed I could read within the given week. And just once this was true. I started a book--an epic book--but then had to return it before I had finished the third chapter. They wouldn't let me recheck it because it was being requested at another library. I never saw that book again. Nor could I remember it's title, but I have never stopped looking for it.
A few years ago, while shopping for an ex-libris stamp a vague memory surfaced in which it seemed to me that Ex-Libris might very well be the title of my long lost book. All I could recall for sure were secret letters and a dark library. But I did some research. And so, I finally purchased King's Ex-Libris and immediately read the first three chapters.
I do believe that this is the book I began as a child, but I think that, in my mental recall over the years, I mashed it up with Kate Mosse's Labyrinth. Because I seemed to remember secret society rituals and a hidden passage in the library of my long lost book, which never appeared in Ex-Libris (is there a hidden library passage in Labyrinth?) Nevertheless, it was a good read. The storytelling felt disconnected at times, as it switched between characters/time periods, and I would have appreciated either more or less resolution with the final revelations. As it stands, I felt unresolved. But I do feel that my noble quest has finally come to an end, and seven year-old me is very pleased.
A few years ago, while shopping for an ex-libris stamp a vague memory surfaced in which it seemed to me that Ex-Libris might very well be the title of my long lost book. All I could recall for sure were secret letters and a dark library. But I did some research. And so, I finally purchased King's Ex-Libris and immediately read the first three chapters.
I do believe that this is the book I began as a child, but I think that, in my mental recall over the years, I mashed it up with Kate Mosse's Labyrinth. Because I seemed to remember secret society rituals and a hidden passage in the library of my long lost book, which never appeared in Ex-Libris (is there a hidden library passage in Labyrinth?) Nevertheless, it was a good read. The storytelling felt disconnected at times, as it switched between characters/time periods, and I would have appreciated either more or less resolution with the final revelations. As it stands, I felt unresolved. But I do feel that my noble quest has finally come to an end, and seven year-old me is very pleased.
deh30's review against another edition
2.0
Why do I torture myself reading mysteries?? The literary history part of this was somewhat interesting to me, but I just wanted to know what happened, skip all the clues and intrigue etc. I should know better than to pick up two mysteries in a row. They're just not my style.
elzecatreads's review against another edition
4.0
I love books about books, and especially stories involving mysterious or rare tomes from medieval times, so I really liked Ex Libris. I thought the ending was a bit anticlimactic.
thecriticalreader's review against another edition
2.0
This book came highly recommended to me by my uncle. He recommended historical fiction to me before and I enjoyed his recommendations, so I decided to give Ex-Libris a read. I knew nearly nothing about the novel going into it.
Ex-Libris wasn't terrible to read, but it did not fit my idea of a good historical fiction novel. Part of my problem with the book stems from my own ignorance. Ex-Libris contains a huge amount of seventeenth-century European history, an area of history I am ignorant about compared to American history. For anyone interested in this time period, this book probably would be a dream come true. That said, I don't think that extensive knowledge of a historical time period should be a requirement for enjoying a historical fiction novel. Despite the large amount of European history discussed and recited within the book, the reader cannot regard this knowledge as factual because it comes from a fictional point of view. I found myself glossing over the long (and frankly boring) passages about European history because often they had little connection to the plot. If the author had presented this information in a nonfiction book about the time period, this would have been appropriate. He clearly has a passion for the subject and is well informed. Unfortunately, he often uses Ex-Libris as an opportunity to expatiate on European history.
Hiding behind the long passages of names and dates, the author presents a mystery novel. The problem with the mystery is not that it isn't well formulated, but that the characters are not compelling enough to care whether the mystery is solved, who lives and who dies, etc. I struggled throughout the novel to understand exactly why a secluded bookseller would risk his life to solve a mystery that has no effect on his life outside of a few hundred pounds of salary. The protagonist, Mr. Inchbold, is shown to be a man who loves his quiet routine and dislikes traveling. Ross King tries to convince the reader that Mr. Inchbold pursues this dangerous and frustrating mystery out of sheer curiosity and hunger for the truth. Personally, this was a tough sell and I couldn't help but asking "why?" and "who cares?" throughout the mystery--never a good sign. His other characters are so overshadowed behind historical ramblings and action sequences that their humanity is lost. A mystery without emotional stakes rarely captivates.
One appeal of historical fiction is that it provides a glimpse into how people actually lived during the time period. It is more personable than reading something from a textbook or monograph. One thing Ross King does well in this respect is that he doesn't shy away from the grim realities of life in 1660s Europe. Realistic obstacles trip the characters up, physical discomforts abound, and death is never too far away. Besides the more technical aspects of life, King struggles to make his characters act realistic. In general, humans tend to focus on the immediate problems facing them and everyday occurrences. They view historically important events through the lens of their own life story. The characters in Ex-Libris, however, seem to have no real motivations outside *the greater pursuit of human learning*. They can discuss macroscopic historical narratives with accurate dates at the drop of the hat, even in the face of extreme danger. They have an unnatural grasp on how their actions will affect the larger course of human history. I know that these characters are supposed the scholars of their time, but the extent of their knowledge and perspective seems unrealistic.
It is clear that King's goal was to write a book that heroizes those who risk everything for the pursuit of human knowledge over religious and monetary considerations. His novel repeatedly provides examples of how books were weaponized by Protestants and Catholics for control and selfish purposes. King's passion for books and learning shines through, as does his appreciation and knowledge of the time period. His earnestness makes it hard to dismiss Ex-Libris completely. Yet it is hard to shake the feeling that Ex-Libris would have been better as a nonfiction book.
Ex-Libris wasn't terrible to read, but it did not fit my idea of a good historical fiction novel. Part of my problem with the book stems from my own ignorance. Ex-Libris contains a huge amount of seventeenth-century European history, an area of history I am ignorant about compared to American history. For anyone interested in this time period, this book probably would be a dream come true. That said, I don't think that extensive knowledge of a historical time period should be a requirement for enjoying a historical fiction novel. Despite the large amount of European history discussed and recited within the book, the reader cannot regard this knowledge as factual because it comes from a fictional point of view. I found myself glossing over the long (and frankly boring) passages about European history because often they had little connection to the plot. If the author had presented this information in a nonfiction book about the time period, this would have been appropriate. He clearly has a passion for the subject and is well informed. Unfortunately, he often uses Ex-Libris as an opportunity to expatiate on European history.
Hiding behind the long passages of names and dates, the author presents a mystery novel. The problem with the mystery is not that it isn't well formulated, but that the characters are not compelling enough to care whether the mystery is solved, who lives and who dies, etc. I struggled throughout the novel to understand exactly why a secluded bookseller would risk his life to solve a mystery that has no effect on his life outside of a few hundred pounds of salary. The protagonist, Mr. Inchbold, is shown to be a man who loves his quiet routine and dislikes traveling. Ross King tries to convince the reader that Mr. Inchbold pursues this dangerous and frustrating mystery out of sheer curiosity and hunger for the truth. Personally, this was a tough sell and I couldn't help but asking "why?" and "who cares?" throughout the mystery--never a good sign. His other characters are so overshadowed behind historical ramblings and action sequences that their humanity is lost. A mystery without emotional stakes rarely captivates.
One appeal of historical fiction is that it provides a glimpse into how people actually lived during the time period. It is more personable than reading something from a textbook or monograph. One thing Ross King does well in this respect is that he doesn't shy away from the grim realities of life in 1660s Europe. Realistic obstacles trip the characters up, physical discomforts abound, and death is never too far away. Besides the more technical aspects of life, King struggles to make his characters act realistic. In general, humans tend to focus on the immediate problems facing them and everyday occurrences. They view historically important events through the lens of their own life story. The characters in Ex-Libris, however, seem to have no real motivations outside *the greater pursuit of human learning*. They can discuss macroscopic historical narratives with accurate dates at the drop of the hat, even in the face of extreme danger. They have an unnatural grasp on how their actions will affect the larger course of human history. I know that these characters are supposed the scholars of their time, but the extent of their knowledge and perspective seems unrealistic.
It is clear that King's goal was to write a book that heroizes those who risk everything for the pursuit of human knowledge over religious and monetary considerations. His novel repeatedly provides examples of how books were weaponized by Protestants and Catholics for control and selfish purposes. King's passion for books and learning shines through, as does his appreciation and knowledge of the time period. His earnestness makes it hard to dismiss Ex-Libris completely. Yet it is hard to shake the feeling that Ex-Libris would have been better as a nonfiction book.
tsutrav's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to like this book. It had all the right pieces to be a great story. There's a book seller, Bookman's row, mystery, lost manuscripts, etc. But it just didn't grab me.
I realize there are a bazillion folks out there who love this book. But by the end, I was just ready for it to be over.
There are two stories moving forward in this book. With each chapter you're either in one or the other. Maybe it was King's way of flipping back and forth that turned me off. Or the way he waits so long to show the connections.
I just didn't find myself interested enough in the possible connections to really care.
If you like books about books and period pieces you might like this book. I did enjoy some of the descriptions of old dirty London and the old dirty bookstalls.
I may give it a go again, sometime in the future. I mean a bazillion folks can't all be wrong, can they?
I realize there are a bazillion folks out there who love this book. But by the end, I was just ready for it to be over.
There are two stories moving forward in this book. With each chapter you're either in one or the other. Maybe it was King's way of flipping back and forth that turned me off. Or the way he waits so long to show the connections.
I just didn't find myself interested enough in the possible connections to really care.
If you like books about books and period pieces you might like this book. I did enjoy some of the descriptions of old dirty London and the old dirty bookstalls.
I may give it a go again, sometime in the future. I mean a bazillion folks can't all be wrong, can they?
tenisonpurple's review against another edition
adventurous
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
Unusual and very readable crime/thriller, set in 17th century Europe. Lots of bookish references, daring escapes etc. Ending rather weak. But overall very enjoyable
librarianonparade's review against another edition
3.0
This is exactly the kind of novel I love - an engrossing historical literary thriller. I love historical fiction, and I love books about books, and this is both, which is probably why I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I must admit, I was hoping the mysterious manuscript would be something slightly more than what it was, but that's the thrill-seeker in me. I did find the ending a little anti-climatic, but that's a minor quibble, really.