Monday, March 24, 2008

People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks (a review)

3.5 out of 5: This isn't highbrow literature, but it is one of the more entertaining books I've read recently, particularly since I love reading about books and book history. This is the story of an old haggadah (a Jewish sacred test used at the Passover table). The narration alternates from the modern viewpoint of a book restorer to the various people over centuries who have helped the haggadah to survive. The love story contained within the modern narrative moves quicker than I expected and is trite and somewhat tacky. Fortunately, the parts of the story about book restoring are interesting, and the haggadah’s history is interesting as well. I'm a bit ashamed to admit I couldn't put this down.

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