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409th out of 1,225 books
—
6,459 voters
The Book on Fire
by
Keith Miller (Goodreads Author)
Balthazar, book thief and bon vivant, arrives in Alexandria to steal from the famous library. But from the moment he steps off the boat, a veiled figure shadows him. Zeinab, literary prostitute and avenging ghost, will be his chaperone through the city of books. With her help, he succeeds in penetrating the underground library. But once inside, instead of ransacking it, he...more
Paperback, Second, 260 pages
Published
August 14th 2011
by Immanion Press
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Miller's second book is different from his first - it is crueler, less naive, more primal. The violence is closer to the surface, the humans are more human, the magic is tempered with more sorrow, but it retains the same mystical power over the reader as The Book of Flying. Balthazar, the morally-questionable protagonist, is less sympathetic than Pico the librarian, but no less compelling, and it can be argued that he loves books more.
This is not a book for all readers, not even all readers who...more
This is not a book for all readers, not even all readers who...more
I love Keith Miller's writing. He is a terrific story teller and his books enthrall me.
Balthazar is a book thief who comes to Alexandria to steal rare books from the world famous library there. Not only is he a book thief, but he is also a connoisseur of fine literature. Some of the books he steals he keeps and reads over and over, but most, he repairs and disguises and sends to his contacts, who pay him for them. They then sell them to their rich clientele.
In Alexandria he meets Zeinab, a lite...more
Balthazar is a book thief who comes to Alexandria to steal rare books from the world famous library there. Not only is he a book thief, but he is also a connoisseur of fine literature. Some of the books he steals he keeps and reads over and over, but most, he repairs and disguises and sends to his contacts, who pay him for them. They then sell them to their rich clientele.
In Alexandria he meets Zeinab, a lite...more
I wanted to love this book. Earlier this year I read The Book of Flying by Miller and was madly in love by the end of the first page. The language and the characters and the story had me dizzy. It was that good.
I looked him up to see if he had other books and ordered The Book on Fire after not being able to find it at the library or in stock at the bookstore. It arrived and landed at the top of my To Be Read pile while I finished up a few other books. I kept looking at it, excited that it was th...more
I looked him up to see if he had other books and ordered The Book on Fire after not being able to find it at the library or in stock at the bookstore. It arrived and landed at the top of my To Be Read pile while I finished up a few other books. I kept looking at it, excited that it was th...more
A book thief lands in a fantastical version of the legendary Alexandria to steal from his ultimate library, and falls in love with a librarian working there. I'm not sure if the author loves libraries or librarians more, considering that his previous book, The Book of Flying, was along similar lines, but I have to admit it works for me. I almost feel embarrassed to say how much I enjoyed reading this book, but I can't really explain why. I was already enamored with Alexandria after reading the D...more
While I read this unique book- a book of poetic prose that I had been saving for a special time- I could not decide what I would have to say about it.
I still can't. However...
When I finished the last page, I got up without a word and struck a match. I let its flame blossom below the final words, then blew it out. Small flakes of orange and grey ash flew up and bit my arm.
This taught me which side of a flaming book I am most loyal to.
I still can't. However...
When I finished the last page, I got up without a word and struck a match. I let its flame blossom below the final words, then blew it out. Small flakes of orange and grey ash flew up and bit my arm.
This taught me which side of a flaming book I am most loyal to.
What a delightful start ... "Call me Balthazar. Call me silverfish, sweet dreams, the end of the rainbow. Call me dust devil,night-owl, will-o-the-wisp. Call me man in the moon. But call me Balthazar, and place a book in my hands. And what book is that, the book I reach for? ... "
... this book is to be read slowly ... a bit like drinking turkish coffee ... conjured images inhaled ... words held in the mouth and rolled on the tongued ... savoured ... again and again
... this book is to be read slowly ... a bit like drinking turkish coffee ... conjured images inhaled ... words held in the mouth and rolled on the tongued ... savoured ... again and again
3 likes · like · see review
It just gets better and better. At last a perfect description of the complex and wonderous intoxication of reading and of the love of books.
A some points towards the end the story unravels a bit to much for me but it doesn´t really matter, the rest is so good and the smells not to mention the tastes of Miller´s Alexandria is alluring and lovely. I want to eat croissants at the trianon at daybreak!
A some points towards the end the story unravels a bit to much for me but it doesn´t really matter, the rest is so good and the smells not to mention the tastes of Miller´s Alexandria is alluring and lovely. I want to eat croissants at the trianon at daybreak!
A true readers book. The opening chapter is nothing less than brilliant seduction then woven throughout the remarkable prose, between the lines is a treatise on the inalienable freedom of words; the whole is breathtaking, filthy, and sublime. There is a stark and stinging reality as you turn and consume each page that the beautiful moment just consumed will never again be. Again Keith Miller has created a book you long to hold back and savor but are overcome by lust and passion turning each page...more
First off, I'll say that the bar was pretty high before I even opened this book. Keith Miller's first book, The Book of Flying, is probably my all-time favorite book- which is saying something for me.
The Book of Fire did not disappoint. This story was more focused but just as rich in detail. His style of writing is not always easy to read (at least for me), but the reward is well worth the effort.
If you are a lover of books this is one not to be missed!
The Book of Fire did not disappoint. This story was more focused but just as rich in detail. His style of writing is not always easy to read (at least for me), but the reward is well worth the effort.
If you are a lover of books this is one not to be missed!
Only giving it a four due to the large amount of Arabic and Islamic words in the book that I did not know and couldn't be bothered to look up at every occurance. So I think a lot of the beautiful prose was lost on me. Ultimately however, his attention to detail made the novel (not story) less accessible to the general populous.
This book was absolutely amazing. It was like reading a long prose poem-the language was incredibly evocative and just plain luscious.
If you need a well-defined plot-I do not recommend this book-but if you love writing for its inherent poetry and if you are a bibliophile, this is the book for you.
If you need a well-defined plot-I do not recommend this book-but if you love writing for its inherent poetry and if you are a bibliophile, this is the book for you.
Nov 29, 2010
Rachel Cope
is currently reading it
Beautifully written. Wonderfully descriptive imagery. I'm about half way through this book. It's great, but not as good as his first book--The Book of Flying.
Gorgeously written. The choice of words and their arrangement outshines the story itself, though it is also beautiful. A book based on the love of books.
I really loved The Book of Flying and was not disappointed in Keith Miller's latest book. The beginning threw me for a loop - it seemed cheesy, too earnest, flowery, old, or something. But it really set the stage for an unforgettable book: the writing is unique and I find that I remember more details about this book than most others I've read. The book thief and the library of Alexandria... it all seemed so ancient and yet so modern at the same time.
Another fantastical tale from the author of The Book of Flying. In a magical version of Alexandria that retains its library, a book thief is haunted by ghosts and books, drawn into catacombs and love affairs, ever-pursued by page-eating fire. Miller's descriptions of books, libraries and readers is erotica for the bibliophile--poor a glass of wine and choose your favorite spot for reading before you open this one.
I thought this book was beautifully written but I was expecting more of the similar feel to the book of flying. All in all it was a great story I think I just love the book of flying more.
The second of Keith Miller's books is just as beautiful as the first. Different, definitely, but just as beautiful.
This book contained moments of some of the most beautiful prose I have ever read.
Wow!!!
Prosaic, Harsh, Beautiful, Riveting, Dreamy...
Prosaic, Harsh, Beautiful, Riveting, Dreamy...
May 16, 2013
Tati Dengo
marked it as to-read
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Keith Miller (born 1969) is an American author who has written The Book of Flying and The Book on Fire. Visit his website at www.millerworlds.com and his blog at www.millerworlds.blogspot.com.
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Feb 26, 2012 09:56am