Hanna Heath is an Australian that has been given the chance of a lifetime. An opurtunity to work on the Sarajevo Haggadah. Her discovery's lead to the reader learning the complete history of the Haggadah along the way, as well as learning more about Hanna's own history.

People of the Book is masterfully written. Brooks molds her style to each era she writes about, making these odd historical occurrences as clear as can be. Hanna is an interesting character, full of personal demons and a desire to her the things books can tell her. The supporting characters are less interesting and often short lived, but they all serve their purpose.

Some of the books back stories are much longer than necessary and often times I found myself wishing those sections were over, or that there was an abridged version i could skim instead. The "mystery" at the end was unnessisary but didn't ruin the rest of the novel.

Overall a decent read, but a little long winded. ( )

I loved this book. The plot is carried along as the expert book conservationist deciphers the origin of debris and stains in an ancient Jewish prayer book. Each diversion from the major plot was fascinating. ( )

Just finished this one. It was quite interesting, and I love Brooks's writing. I don't think this gripped me as much as Year of Wonders or March but it was very good nonetheless.

I found myself frustrated by how much of the book's story Hanna will never know, but that is the way it is with history. I was relieved at her last discovery, however, and hope it will lead her to more insight into the history of the book. The afterword, with it's details about Brooks's research and the story of the real Haggadah, was interesting as well.

Another good one from Geraldine Brooks. ( )

"People of the Book" is an enjoyable read for several reasons. Initially, it is quite obvious that the author is a talented writer. Her characters are easy to empathize with, even if their experiences are not the same as our own. The plot is unusual in that it is based on a historical truth, a book called a haggadah, that actually existed. The story revolves around a Sarajevo haggadah, one of the earliest examples of a book illuminated with images, in this case, a Jewish volume. The book is saved from being burnt in one of history's uglier moments, times that are repeated throughout the past of many countries political and religious disputes. The reader follows the journey of the haggadah as it passes through the hands of the many people who protect it, recognizing its value, or use it for their own purposes. In this way, the author tells the story of the book and the people involved with its creation and its continued existence. In addition, the reader learns of Hanna, who is the present-day rare book expert who is affected by the book's past and its future, which she becomes responsible for, changing her life forever. Brooks' artfully weaves the stories together, causing the reader to become emotionally involved with the book as the vehicle moving the characters along the path of their lives, and the fates which befall them. Each person is faced with a moral dilemma, and has to dig deeply within themselves to find the person they truly wish to be, in order to protect the book, or to use it for nefarious reasons that they must admit to, sooner or later. The book becomes a moral compass, as it passes through each of their hands, and ultimately Hanna is faced with the same challenges when she is the recipient of the book. A well-told story, "People of the Book" had me eagerly opening its covers every night to move forward with each individual story outlining its progress through history and locations until it makes its way to Hanna, in the present day. I would recommend this book to other readers, and will look for more of Brooks' books in the future. ( )

A really good read ( )