I just picked up the book today. I was shopping at the bookstore I usually go to.....the bookseller could not say enough good things about the book. I'm an easy sell.....I bought it. I liked all of Brooke's other novels. We shall see about this one. I will probably read it next.

We've talked about it here and there, so this post is a bit repetitive. I am a fan of Brook's non fiction (her background is as a journalist, and it shows when she is writing about something real). I didn't care for her fiction so I hesitated on this one. Then I read her excerpt from the book in the NYer and knew I had to read it. Its good - for the most part. I like the way she takes a real story and makes her own history of it based on a few bits of evidence. Very creative and realistic. But her invented book restorer has too much presence in the story; we did not need to know about her love life, her difficult mother, and her angst. And we did not need a Da Vinci Code like ending. But despite this, I am glad to have read it and recommend it to others - esp for anyone interested in books and history.

That sounds like a book I would really enjoy, wijennie. Sorry about the repetition cindydavid. Some of us are a bit new here and may not know of previous discussions and the search option doesn't always come up the subject you're looking for, this one, for example, doesn't list any other posts than this current one.

The search function isn't working very well these days so no doubt we'll get other threads that repeat material already posted. I imagine we'll manage anyway!

I am on the waiting list for this at the library. I'm curious, but the RP reports have been mixed. I won't buy it until I see how well I like it.

Rosefolly

>Sorry about the repetition cindydavid.

Oh don't misunderstand me! I know you guys are new, and even if you weren't I'd never put down anyone starting up a discussion of a book. I made the comment so others who have been here will know that it was the same thing I posted before. I am sorry if you took it any other way!

Welcome, btw! And please, call me Cindy

I liked this book a lot. I didn't have a problem with the ending (I don't actually remember details, only that it didn't bother me) and I didn't mind the bits about her mother either as I thought it was part of the character development.
The subject was really interesting, and I liked the format, which was similar to Michener's The Source.

no problem, I just didn't want anyone to think I was a dummy or anything....

I loved this book, though I'll agree the ending was thriller-ish when it could have been something much better -- but Brooks is an excellent writer, and I really enjoyed this. Each chapter about the book's history was compelling, and I didn't mind the narrator's story since she was another link in the chain of the book's history.

It does have a few flaws, but it was one of those books I couldn't bear to put down, and at the same time couldn't bear to see end. To me, that's the mark of a really good story.

I'd also highly recommend another of her books, Foreign Correspondence, about tracking down her childhood pen pals (who are scattered all over the world) as an adult. I have yet to read her other fiction, but March is in my TBR pile.

Foriegn Correspondence was the first of hers I'd read, and loved it. She also has another, Nine Parts Desire, about women in the Middle East - quite excellent. I have been disappointed in her fiction, so the fact that I generally liked this book is saying something (it still kills me that March won the Pulitzer, over the much better book The March).

Her husband btw is Tony Horowitz, another journalist, who specializes in historical events of people. Confederats in the Attic and Baghdad without a Map were very good; I'm looking forward to his new one about the American Revolution.

I'll be the dissenting voice and say that I was disappointed in it;-)

I really enjoyed the historical parts of it, but just couldn't get into the present-day plot (with Hanna). I should add that thriller/espionage novels are NOT my thing, so maybe that had part to do with it. I think I would've liked it more if the present-day parts had been shorter, and the historical parts longer.

I've read both March and Year of Wonders by Brooks, and liked them both--although I didn't care for the modern views some of her characters had in March, and HATED the ending in Year of Wonders.

Kelly

I realize I am repeating what I said on another thread, but Brooks is becoming one of my favorite authors. I have liked all three of the novels I've read: "March", "Year of Wonders", and most of all,"People of the Book."

In the latter, there were a few flaws and I think the novel could have been tightened up a bit. But on the whole, I found the plot intriguing and found myself reading into the wee hours of the morning, unable to put it down. Two other novels which affected me the same way were "The Historian" and "Shadow of the Wind."

I haven't read it yet either. I wasn't going to read it since I thought it was an imitation of The DaVinci Code, but since so many RPer's recommended it I've placed it on hold at the library and will give it a try.

No, it's a far cry from the DaVinci Code, IMHO. Much better crafted and researched.

woodnymph2-I agree with your comments totally.
cindy-I also read her Foreign Correspondence and loved it. The only one I have not read is Nine Parts Desire.
My favorite is Year of Wonders.

What was so bad about the ending of "Year of Wonders?" Be sure to put a spoiler alert when you answer.

I read it several years ago for my book group, but don't remember much detail. I tried to read "March" but gave up midway through ... didn't like the direction it was taking.

Sarah, I don't think a spoiler alert is really necessary - the last chapter seemed to be tacked on as a method of tying up ends that might have better been left loose. It also seemed to me very improbable.

***** SPOILER ALERT (for YEAR OF WONDERS)*******************************************************************************************************************

In the ending, the main protaganist ends up in a foreign country, living in a harem. With her was the baby she takes with her, and the love child she has with the man from her village (can't remember his name). I found the ending just so ridiculously unbelievable given the times back then. I didn't buy it that a woman like Anna (poor and untraveled) would suddenly get it in her head to travel to an Arab nation and join a harem. Also didn't buy that she'd then be living on "easy street" (despite living in a harem, she doesn't have to "sleep" with the man, and seems to be able to do what she wants). I would've found it way more believable if the book had ended with Anna struggling in England, trying to raise the two kids on her own (or having to marry for convenience).

Kelly

Wow. I have no recollection of that ending whatsoever. How strange is that? I'll have to get a copy of the book from one of the other book club members and refresh my memory. I remember liking the book fairly well, though.

I'm glad i finally read this thread. There is a long line of folks on the reserve list for PotB at the library and I wasn't familiar with the author so I sort of ignored patron recommendations... but now I think I'll add my name to the list.

Oh, I vividly remember that ending; I read it just before vigorously tossing the book against the wall. I don't think she does endings well (can't really speak for March as I couldn't get through it to the ending)

Loved Year of Wonders. Chose to forget silly ending.
Barely liked People of the Book.
I think her fictional style is amateurish. Nine Parts Desire is written with such a strong voice. Her fiction is a small whisper of her true talent.

I agree with you - while I liked P of the B, her talent is in non fiction, which stands to reason as she is a professional journalist. Interesting that her husband, also a journalist, has kept his writing to the non fiction side. Just because you are a writer doesn't mean you can write in every genre. I am a teacher and know better than to try teaching any kid older than 12, or to try and be an administrator.

I think you are being a bit harsh there. We know that we all don't enjoy the same books, but enough people like Brooks's work to think she has talent for fiction. And I don't think what her husband does really has any bearing on it - he may have stuck to non-fiction because he doesn't feel he has a fiction book in him, not because he knows better than to try something different.

No, I didn't say he had bearing on her writing, just that he took a path that best suited him. I agree - many people like her fiction. I liked this book. I've read her others and found them wanting. Yet every piece of non fiction I've read of hers has been on target, for me. I do think her non-fiction is therefore better, probably partly due to her profession, and the way she writes professionaly. That is not an insult to the people who love her writing. I'm sorry if you think its too harsh. Its just my opinion and observation, and don't expect anyone else to share it.

Ok, I finished POB last night (or should I say this morning?). I have been sick with the flu and sleep has been sporadic....

Here is the point when it got weak for me, I didn't mind the little adventure at the end but the thing is, it wasn't really an adventure because the minute she walked into the room with Ozren and Werner and the way she (Hanna) brought up the fake, their response to her claim that the book was faked I knew right away that it was them. I think that their reactions made them appear guilty and it was not written very well. Guilty people would have handled it differently.

to the top by request

Well, I feel slightly wicked for saying this, but I read People of the Book several weeks ago and was somewhat disappointed. I thought the concept of the book was extremely clever and fascinating, and I do believe Brooks did a nice job of weaving all the stories together and evoking a real sense of location, especially in Sarajevo. I didn't even mind the ending with the slightly DaVinci-esque (you won't believe how I've agonized over whether that should be hyphenated or not!) action sequence.

However, as clever as I found the plot to be, I thought the actual writing was fairly mediocre, with the dialogue in particular seeming especially stilted. I did enjoy the book, but it won't be on my favorites list for the year.

I enjoyed the book and felt there was a good balance between the modern day story, and the background on the people of the book through the past. I liked the way Hannah changed as she researched the book and became absorbed by the possible struggles of people in the past. The historical aspects themselves were fascinating. I found the way the comtemporary story was resolved satisfying.

color, I thought the parts specifically about the book were well written; but the parts with Hannah's story were not the best, and I agree there were times when her conversations didn't feel natural. I wonder if I do a reread of just the story of the book, from the beginning (going backwards) how that would sound to me.

well, it seems that we all agree, the story parts were good but Hannah's adventure was weak and unnatural.

Are her other books as good, better?

IMHO - Year of Wonder starts out very good, but the end is convulted and rather ridiculous. March was a great disappointment. It didn't help that Little Women was one of my favorite books as a child, and I had a certain image of who the father was. I understood that she was making him in the likeness of Alcott's father, and she did a good job in that. But there was too much to dislike about him to make him match up to the image I had. Probably my fault then, not the books. But I really didn't care for the writing either.

Her two works of non-fiction: Nine Parts Desire, and Foreign Correspondent, are both brilliant. She is a journalist by trade, and these two books bring out her gifts in that area. Again, in my very humble opinion... :)

I am about halfway through this, a shiny new copy from the library (I don't think UK readers are 'into' Brookes' work yet).
Didn't get off to a good start and had to force myself past the first section; but it is improving.
Will get back here when I have finished . . .or should that be When I'm done in American?!

This American is done with People of the Book and has mixed feelings about it. Overall, it was enjoyable. I would have preferred a less thriller-type plot structure and Hanna's character as well as her mother's struck me as totally false. The modern-day restorer as deux au machina is a good idea (I'm not using that totally correctly, but I can't think of anything better) but is carried too far IMHO. I hated the brutality in it and found it somewhat contrived, although I am certainly not in the dark about atrocities that have occurred over the centuries. But..I'm glad I read it. It lead me to spend an enjoyable and informative hour reading about the actual book and looking at copies of the illuminations, which is worthwhile in itself.

If I seek out any of her other books, I will look for the non-fiction.

The brutality was actually watered down I thought, but then I've been reading stories from Jewish history for years and years. I so agree about Hanna and her mother - I couldn't pinpoint the problem but yes, false and contrived was a good word for it. Id include the whole last part as well.

I'd suggest Nine Parts Desire first; excellent look at women in the Middle East. Unlike many reporters, she does not interfer with the lives she is looking at, but becomes part of it. Well written and very interesting.

I can't remember if this was linked before, but I found this site when I too just had to see the actual illuminations. They are spectacular. Enjoy.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sarajevo Haggadah

If you want a synopsis of the original NYer article, there is one in the above link, but I will put in the link more specific to it. I rather thought the end of that article should have been the end of the book. What do you think?

Here is a link that might be useful: Exodus

Terrific article, Cindy, and yes, I like that ending much better! All the more because it is true. It is only fitting that attention should be brought to the bravery of Dervis Korkut and his family. Looking at the illuminations and wondering who the people were and how they came to be painted is endlessly interesting.

Yes, Cindy, thanks for posting both links. Truth is stranger (and often more interesting) than fiction. Such glowing colors in the artwork....

I got tired of waiting for the library to come through with a copy, I am still #40 on the waiting list, so today I caved and bought the book.

Pat

Well, I just finished it and thoroughly enjoyed it. I didn't want to stop reading, but didn't want it to end.

I loved the way she went back into history with each clue-the butterfly wing, the wine stain & the white hair...I found it fascinating. I also enjoyed her research into such things.
I disagree about 'needing to know' about Hannas' personal life, her relationships & her Mother who was a dreadful self-centered woman. For me that shaped who Hanna was and explained her thoroughness and determination - she tied the whole story about the book together. Without that information IMO it would have been just dry facts.

I am glad that I bought it.

Pat

Whew, I am so glad you liked it! I am always afraid I will influence someone to buy a book and they will hate it.

I wish she could have included some prints from the actual book, but I can see why that is not possible.

I can't say this ticked all the boxes for me and would have to say that I liked the parts better thn the whole. I quite enjoyed each individual story that made up the history of the book and wasn't trouble by her own story or that of her mother but felt there was too much going on and rather too many similar characters to keep track of.
Perhaps the device of travelling backwards in time is what made it rather cumbersome. I think it would have flown more smoothly if she has started when the book was first illustrated/put together and worked forward.
Still it was an interesting theme and I am always happy to learn anything new.