“If you,ve seen the movie "The Red Violin" then this will remind you of that movie. I really liked the book.”
“I like reading history in fiction form - imminently more interesting than chronological dates and events - and I really like the concept of Islams, Jews and Christians living harmoniously together. The jumping back and forth in time was hard to reconcile with, but altogether, a very good read.”
“Enjoyed it immensely. Loved the way the narrative was constructed, how a detail of the book opened up a window to a new place and a forgotten story. Like those miniatures in the illuminated book of the story. Filigreed with intelligence and empathy”
“There is a sentence at the end of this book that summarizes its theme perfectly "...there were people who could see that what united us was more than what divided us. That to be a human being matters more than to be a Jew or a Muslim, Catholic or Orthodox." This theme is repeated throughout the book as the main character, Hannah, a rare book expert, tries to piece together the story behind the Sarajevo Haggadah, a book she is asked to analyze and restore after it is found safe and sound in wartorn Bosnia. This central theme and how it is woven throughout the various stories of the people that created and protected the Haggadah is what I enjoyed most about "People of the Book". I wanted to know more about all of these characters. I also really enjoyed the history. My only criticism is that one of the stories - "Feather and the Rose" - did not seem to fit the central theme and was therefore distracting to me. And up until the very end I struggled a bit with the chronology in particular trying to figure out how the book got to Bosnia in the first place.”
“I think the relationship between Hannah and her mother is a very important addition to the book. The fact that Hannah knows absolutely nothing about her own family history and doesn't even know who her own father is could lead to her desire to uncover the truth about the historic manuscripts she frequently handles. Also, her mother's lack of confidence in her daughter's profession makes the ending much more beleivable - when she stops her life's work because she begins to have self doubts.”
“Wonderful read.Great concept to follow the book thru history. Did drag a bit in some parts and I felt the relationship w/ her mother could have been left out. I am not sure what it added to the book. Over all I would recommend it as it does provide great life "cameos" and is well written.”
“A wonderful book but the plot dragged along through the latter part of the book and often felt disconnected from the central theme - the experiences of the Jewish people through the "life" of the haggadah. The historical perspective was accurately portrayed and fascinating which is what I've come to expect from a Geraldine Brooks novel. ”
