People of the Book in Aussie Readers

Jul 21, 2016 PattyMacDotComma rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favourites-adult, australian-author, kindle, historical-fiction, award-win-listed, aa

5★
A new favourite! I love it when old stories sound right for their time, and Geraldine Brooks does that so well. This novel was inspired by the discovery of the real Sarajevo Haggadah, a book more than 700 years old, so Brooks had a lot of ground to cover and a lot of voices to invent.

Her central character (Hanna Heath, a rare book expert) says about herself:

“By linking research and imagination, sometimes I can think myself into the heads of the people who made the book. I can figure out who ...more

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Mar 27, 2011 Velvetink rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: jewish, wishlist, war, fiction, historical-fiction, eastern-europe, books-and-libraries

Some quotes & notes;

P.40 “I told him if I wanted to hear psychobabble, I could visit a shrink cheap on Medibank. I’m not casual about sex, far from it.. I’m actually very picky. I prefer the fit few to the mediocre masses. But I’m not big on wringing out other people’s soggy hankies, and If I wanted a partner, I’d Join a law firm. If I do choose to be with someone, I want it to stay light and fun. It gives me no pleasure, none at all, to hurt people’s feelings, especially not tragic cases like O ...more

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Apr 25, 2008 Peter Macinnis rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: travel, literature, fiction, human-dignity, religion

This is my third Brooks book that I have read, and I have yet to fault her. I am well-placed to assess her material, as plague has long been an interest of mine ('Year of Wonders'), while the 'Little Women' era is of special interest to me (though not the Civil War itself).

I thought i was approaching a work where I would have no common ground, but I found some because the protagonist is a Sydneysider like myself.

I wonder how non-Australians will cope with lines like "Bloody balanda" on page 356 ...more

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May 19, 2009 Nicki Markus rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: read-historical

I decided to give this book a try, having already enjoyed "Year of Wonders" when I received it as a gift some time ago.

I engaged with the story and characters straight away and didn't find a dull moment in the book.

The jumps in time period are organised well and I liked the juxtaposition of the stories, past and present.

A nice flowing writing style and an interesting subject matter - highly recommended to anyone. ...more

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Feb 01, 2009 Tien rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: literature, historical-fiction, australian-author, contemporary

This book is a combination of contemporary and historical fictions. Hannah Heath, a book conservationist, was asked to work on the Sarajevo Haggadah, a book which has been lost for many years. The contemporary part of of the book follows Hannah in her work, investigating and trying to construct the history of the Sarajevo Haggadah, and her personal lives.

The historical parts of the book spans many centuries and explores conjunctions of where the book has been and how it came into existence. I fo ...more

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Jun 24, 2009 Tracey rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, 2009, australian

Enjoyed the book, I like the way the tale weaved between each of the different discoveries she made.

I did want more of Hannah's story as some of the incidental stories sometimes dragged just a little too long.

the instant attraction that Hannah has with Ozren, just a little too instant.

Yet these are minor grudges to a well written, well crafted novel
...more

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Mar 09, 2018 Jyv rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, historical-fiction, ebook

I enjoyed this book. I hadn't read any of the author's other books so had no expectations. I had not expected to read the book avidly in three days. I found the historical stories of how something became lodged in the book fascinating (and completely at odds with academic theory which was interesting - never assume anything). I also enjoyed the story of Hanna. Her mother is truly vile. I didn't understand the relevance of Hanna's father being Jewish - perhaps it was just to reaffirm her point th ...more

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Jan 14, 2008 Jade17 rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2008, contemporaryliterature

As soon as I borrowed this book, I knew it was going to be popular when the librarian said..

"oh wow, there are 18 people waiting for this book after you so you can't renew it."

I've heard POTB being touted as an intelligent version of TDVC. Although POTB was of course, written better, I still enjoyed the mystery surrounding TDVC more. ...more

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