People of the Book in Around the World

Mar 23, 2009 Jenny (Reading Envy) rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: nanoreadmo-2013, around-the-world, own, read2013, books-on-books, location-bosnia, speed-date-3

There are some parts of this book I really like. The Sarajevo Haggadah is an actual 600-year old illuminated Jewish manuscript, saved from looting and bombing by a Muslim archivist in 1996. This novel is an attempt by the author to explore and imagine the history of the book itself starting in the present day going backwards. Much of the historical detail is based on in-depth research of the manuscript, and the author has seen the manuscript and worked with the conservators of it, which is quite ...more

15 likes · Like · see review

Jun 16, 2010 Daisy rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: former-yugoslavia-balkan, italy, vienna, australia, israel, spain, middle-east, audio-library-books, book-infinity

I think I liked it better as a story told to me than I would have liked reading it. It's one of the first audio books I've ever read/experienced. I took it hiking with me and walking around the city and of course in the car to and from jobs. Walking with an audio book is the best. You just want to keep on going. Experiencing a narrator is fun too. I grew attached to Edwina Wren's voice and sometimes bothered by the accents she put on (which I know were necessary, helpful even, to keep characters I think I liked it better as a story told to me than I would have liked reading it. It's one of the first audio books I've ever read/experienced. I took it hiking with me and walking around the city and of course in the car to and from jobs. Walking with an audio book is the best. You just want to keep on going. Experiencing a narrator is fun too. I grew attached to Edwina Wren's voice and sometimes bothered by the accents she put on (which I know were necessary, helpful even, to keep characters' voices clear).

As it was though, it was a great adventure. Parts were tedious and some lines were corny but I learned a lot and it means well. I mean, the moral of the story is the same as the moral of the Haggadah's existence, which celebrates the unification of all peoples and cultures and religions. Sure some of the episodes, especially the recent ones from our lifetime, tied up a little too pat, but it was all really very satisfying. You like being more in the know about the clues Hanna finds than she is. You've gotten drawn into the lives of the people-of-the-book throughout the centuries, you're practically the expert; you've got one up on Hanna but you know she's on course and you encourage her. Here's what shoshanapnw on goodreads says much better than I can: I especially appreciated the voyeuristic pleasure of knowing more about the Haggadah's story than the protagonist ever can.

I like that Hanna's relationship with her mother is stormy and unresolved. I like meeting Lola twice. I like that Hanna leaves her own trace in the Haggadah. I like how it comes full circle and Hanna figures out who created the whole thing. And all the historical pieces are entertaining and educational, from Spain in the 1400s to Italy in the 1600s, and WW2 in central Europe to the war in the Balkans. I hope I remember some of the historical details my mind usually lets loose. I hope listening to this book makes it easier to remember because I usually forget so much of what I read.

Also I learned the term "linguistic accommodation." That's when someone spends time in a foreign country and picks up the accent from there in their own language. I never knew there was a term for that.
...more

6 likes · Like · see review

Oct 16, 2013 Astrid Lim rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: literature, historical-fiction, world-war, europe, art, book-of-books

I enjoyed this book tremendously, especially the historical parts where we were taken to the long journey of the haggadah. I love it how Geraldine Brooks can create a story for each small artifact that Hanna the heroine found in the book. My favorite part is the Sevilla story, but I love the others nonetheless. The only thing that I don't really care about is Hanna herself, with her pompous mother and first world problem. Jeez. Why can't these historical fiction writers create likable current ch ...more

Like · see review

Jun 16, 2011 Julie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: since-retirement

I had difficulty putting it down, it was well written and thought provoking.

Like · see review

Feb 07, 2009 Toni rated it liked it

Shelves: holocaust, historical-fiction, multi-cultural

Started out great with a wonderful premise for a story, but I liked it less and less as it went on...

Like · see review

Feb 29, 2008 Wendy rated it liked it

Shelves: historical, fiction, 2008, judaism

This was a fairly enjoyable read. I enjoyed the historical aspects of the book and learning about the restoration and conservation process for old books. The story's structure seemed similar to the way the story in "The Historian" was constructed. ...more

Like · see review