People of the Book by Geraldine BrooksBack of the book blurb: Hanna Heath, an Australian rare book expert, has been offered the job of a lifetime: analysis and conservation of the famed Sarajevo Haggadah, 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 discovers a series of tiny artifacts in its ancient binding – an insect wing fragment, wine stains, salt crystals, a white hair – the begins to unlock the book’s mysteries, ushering in its exquisite and atmospheric past, from its salvation back to its creation through centuries of exile and war.
She is Too Fond of Books‘ review: Before I began reading The People of the Book, I took a minute to learn the definition of a Haggadah; it is a Jewish text that is read during the the Passover Seder. Interestingly, a further search showed me that the word haggadah means “telling,” as in the Biblical command “and you shall tellyour child on that day … ‘God did miracles for me when I left Egypt so that I would fulfill the Torah’s commandment’.” In her novel, Brooks tells the miracles of one particular Haggadah, which has survived in various forms for over 500 years.
There is a real Sarajevo Haggadah, and Brooks uses this “intriguing factual scaffolding” (her words) to frame her novel. The result is beautifully written and historically detailed. It explores not only the relationships between various people (tribes, nations, religions) of the world, but also looks at more intimate personal relationships. Her characters give names and personalities to the cultures represented.
The main character, Hanna Heath, is honored to be hired to perform conservation work on the beautiful book. In the process of repairing the volume, she uncovers minute foreign objects that raise her curiosity. In alternating chapters, we visit with Hanna in the present, then travel back in time to the setting in which the artifact was left in the Haggadah. Brooks sets these chapters within realistic situations and allows the actions and words of her characters to illustrate periods of religious persecution, and the strength of the oppressed’s conviction. This conversation took place in Venice in 1609, between a Catholic priest and a rabbi:
“Judah, why do you wear that hat? You know it is not impossible for you to get leave to wear a black one.” The scarlet color was meant to recall the blood of Christ that the Jews had brought down upon their own heads. Yet Vistorini knew a number of Jews who had been granted exemption.
“Father Dom, I know very well that with friends and money one may do almost everything in Venice. Money, as you well know, I have not. But friends, yes, I have several who would spare me this imposition. With a word here or there, I could, as you say, wear a black hat and pass about unmolested. But if I did so, I would not know life as the people in my congregation know it. And I do not want to be separate from them. … A red hat, a black hat: what matter? Neither one can cover up my mind.”
Brooks works in reverse chronological order, revealing the origins of the Haggadah in the final flashback. I learned more about each time period as I followed the journey of the book. I watched as the cycles of history, both the horror of persecution and the miracle of the Haggadah’s survival, repeated themselves. As one present-day character sums it up in a conversation with Hanna:
” … the book has survived the same human disaster over and over again. … You’ve got a society where people tolerate difference, like Spain in the Convivencia, and everything’s humming along: creative, prosperous. Then somehow this fear, this hate, this need to demonize ‘the other’ – it just sort of rears up and smashes the whole society. Inquisition, Nazis, extremist Serb nationalists … It seems to me the book, at this point, bears witness to all that.”
People of the Book explores our roles in these cycles, and gives cause to ponder on their seemingly cyclical nature. The historical sections were most interesting to me; Hanna’s contemporary storyline was a satisfying framework to hold the entire narrative together. This is a book that I put down with a contented sigh when I had finished it. I’m eager to read more of Brooks’ work, including Year of Wonders and her Pulitzer-Prize-winning novel March.
Two other points of note from the beginning of the book: Brooks dedicates it “to the librarians” and this beautiful map of journey of the Sarajevo Haggadah, as imagined in the novel, is spread across the first few pages:
Great review! The book sounds wonderful!
Hi Dawn,
I am in the middle of People of the Book right now, I am enjoying it so far. Just wanted to say congrats on your mention in today’s Shelf Awareness! Very cool!
Carey
Great review Dawn. I really want to read this now. I’ll be picking it up soon I think. Just one more to add to the shelf right. lol.
Thanks for the review. A few of my book club members read this and really liked it, but I never got around to it myseld. It sounds really good.
[...] People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks [...]
Great review! I have this book on my shelf. Hopefully I can start reading it soon!
I’d love to say something besides great review, but it really is…lol! I wanted to read this book last year and couldn’t find the time. This year isn’t looking better.
This sounds like such a great book. I really enjoyed reading your review. I’ve yet to read any Brooks, but I have the feeling she’s an author I’ll love.
I don’t often read historical fiction but now that I’ve read your review, I’m tempted to add this one to my TBR. It sounds wonderful, and I love the dialogue you’ve quoted.
I tried to read one of her books before but I wasn’t that impressed however this one does sound interesting!
Good review…I loved this book. Our book club read it last year and I reviewed it on my blog at:
http://upsidedownbee.blogspot.com/2008/12/book-review-people-of-book.html
I enjoyed the historical sections of this book better than the modern, but overall I thought she did a wonderful job of pulling it all together. B.
I really enjoyed your review! I’ve got this one waiting for me and am looking forward to it. It’s interesting because from your review and other things I’ve read about the story, it sounds so complex yet the book looks slim. I think it’ll be a great read!
I enjoyed this book. Nice review!
Kathy – It was great! I picked up *March* this weekend.
Carey – thanks! More people got to see Caitlin’s unique reception.
Dar – reinforced bookshelves, that’s the key
Ti – I’ll be recommending it to my book group.
Vasilly – I’ll look for your review.
J. Kaye – Well, thank you! You have so many challenges going on, isn’t “read what I want to read” one of them?!?
Nymeth – I haven’t read anything else by her either, but now I have *March* and *Year of Wonders* waiting on my bookcase.
Belle – her description of using the facts around the real Sarajevo Haggadah as “scaffolding” to hang her fictional narrative is right on.
Ladytink – which book? I know she has a non-fiction book of essays as well (the title escapes me right now …)
Belinda – I felt the same way about *Sarah’s Key*. A wonderful book overall, but the historical sections spoke to me more than the contemporary story.
iliana – there’s a lot going on in that slim book!
Swapna – she was a wonderful speaker, too. I’ll be writing about the author event later in the week.
I am hoping that my book club chooses this one at our first meeting. If they don’t, I plan on reading it anyway. I have heard only good things about this book, and can’t wait to get to it. Thanks for the great and extensive review!
[...] of a Novelist)134. My Two Blessings (The Wild Sight)135. My Two Blessings (The Bone Garden)136. She is Too Fond of Books (People of the Book)137. Kristi (It’s All About Us)138. Kristi (The Valentine Edition)139. She is Too Fond of [...]
I’ve heard great things about this book. I’ve been wanting to read it for awhile. Thanks for the review.
Thanks for posting the link to your review on mine. I actually read and loved your review when you first wrote it, but it was a wonderful recap and I’m happy to be reading it again. Have you picked up Year of Wonders yet? I reviewed it on my blog a while back. Although it was good, it doesn’t compare to this People of the Book.
Loved this book! Thought I might not, and procrastinated on reading it but it was really gripping. The last “find” took me totally by surprise. The interspersion with Hanna’s life was odd in places, though — the part with her mother almost seemed like a red herring to distract from the overall book, but I guess it explains her decision after she returned.
zibilee – Oh, do read it, whether with your group or on your own. The story of the real Sarajevo haggadah is so interesting, as well.
Anna – I have two of Brooks’ other books on my TBR now. I tend to read across an author’s works if I’m particularly pleased with a book.
Heather – yes, I have Year of Wonders, but haven’t yet read it. I’ve heard comments similar to yours, though. I find if I’m really struck by a book, it’s often hard for an author to match that standard in my mind (Ann Patchett and BEL CANTO comes to mind … I’ve read many of her other books, but the bar is set so high with BEL CANTO …)
Joy – thanks so much for visiting my blog
Yes, I find that often novels that combine a contemporary and historical storyline are “lighter” in the present day. SARAH’S KEY comes to mind – loved the historical story, but the contemporary story (though satisfying) was much lighter … perhaps to temper the seriousness of the historical story?
I saw this book on the self at Borders (a theme park, in my world) and looked over it only briefly before settting it back down. Your review is encouraging, and I assure you that I will take a second look on my next trip to the land of bliss (a.k.a. Borders).
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