People of the Book
by Geraldine Brooks
Overview
From Barnes & Noble
Its plot revolves ever so gracefully around the true story of the Sarajevo Haggadah, a 14th-century Sephardic holy book that somehow survived centuries of hatred and destruction. Into this real-life epic tale of heroism and chance, Brooks has skillfully woven a historical fiction of uncanny force. In her hands, this improbable, even wondrous story of one document's survival becomes both a timely meditation on faiths in conflict and a tense historical thriller. Superb storytelling; a literary masterpiece tinged with the excitement of rediscovery.
My thoughts
This was an excellent book that I highly recommend, clouded only by the generous ficitonal elements of the historical fiction genre.
Even as a reader preferring non-fiction to fiction, I was totally engrossed in this book, hanging on every word, deep into the characters ... when I discovered that the main character of the book is fictional. Not only historically-based fictional, but completely, totally fictional! The Australian author was having trouble writing the book based on characters from other nations, so she decided the main character could be Australian, and then the story came to life. There's nothing wrong with that of course. That's what historical fiction writers do. I guess it just came as a crushing blow to me because I like the main characters of historical fiction to carry the realism of the book - I need to be able to believe in them - otherwise in my opinion the whole book might as well be fantasy.
Having said that, I was able to come to grips with the idea that the majority of the book is fiction and I quite enjoyed it, easily giving it a three star rating. I suppose we'll never know the real story of the Haggadah, so we might as well enjoy this excellent author's version of how it may have evolved.
Excellent writing, great storyteller, very enjoyable read.
Favorite Passage
I think that's what got me, that look. That reticence. Maybe because I'm the opposite of brave, I've always been a bit suspicious of heroes. I'm inclined to think they lack imagination, or there's no way they could do the madly daring things they do. But this was a guy who got choked up over lost books, and who had to be dragged through an account of what he'd done. I was starting to think I liked him quite a bit.
