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People of the Book cover art

People of the Book

By: Geraldine Brooks
Narrated by: Edwina Wren
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Publisher's Summary

From the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of March, the journey of a rare illuminated manuscript through centuries of exile and war.

In 1996, Hanna Heath, an Australian rare-book expert, is offered the job of a lifetime: analysis and conservation of the famed Sarajevo Haggadah, which has been rescued from Serb shelling during the Bosnian war. Priceless and beautiful, the book is one of the earliest Jewish volumes ever to be illuminated with images. When Hanna, a caustic loner with a passion for her work, discovers a series of tiny artifacts in its ancient binding-an insect wing fragment, wine stains, salt crystals, a white hair-she begins to unlock the book's mysteries. The reader is ushered into an exquisitely detailed and atmospheric past, tracing the book's journey from its salvation back to its creation.

In Bosnia during World War II, a Muslim risks his life to protect it from the Nazis. In the hedonistic salons of fin-de-siècle Vienna, the book becomes a pawn in the struggle against the city's rising anti-Semitism. In inquisition-era Venice, a Catholic priest saves it from burning. In Barcelona in 1492, the scribe who wrote the text sees his family destroyed by the agonies of enforced exile. And in Seville in 1480, the reason for the Haggadah's extraordinary illuminations is finally disclosed. Hanna's investigation unexpectedly plunges her into the intrigues of fine art forgers and ultra-nationalist fanatics. Her experiences will test her belief in herself and the man she has come to love.

Inspired by a true story, People of the Book is at once a novel of sweeping historical grandeur and intimate emotional intensity, an ambitious, electrifying work by an acclaimed and beloved author.

©2008 Geraldine Brooks (P)2008 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

Critic Reviews

"Brooks is too good a novelist to belabor her political messages, but her depiction of the Haggadah bringing together Jews, Christians and Muslims could not be more timely. Her gift for storytelling, happily, is timeless." ( Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about People of the Book

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Persist and then you'll be glued.

Incredible book, however, it did take me a little while to get into it and then I just couldn't stop listening... the narrator was brilliant.

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An interesting tale

The readers multiple fake accents did not enhance the listeners experience at all. However the story is very well interwoven snd based on true incidents.

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ABSOLUTE BRILLIANCE

This amazing book along with the extraordinary Edwina Wren ...gifted narrrator; makes this one of the best books ive ever read ...and re-read about 6 times. We are taken back through time seeing the harrowing story of the Jewish people as in the present ....bits of evidence found in the Codex are clues to it's existance and rescueing...(twice byMuslim hands!) The afterward is a must too. Utter brilliance!!

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Spectacular journey through history

Not an easy read but the characters leap to life off the page/ recording. Loved the fascinating insights about book conservation and also the history of Sarajevo - a little hard to get into at first but never fear you will be captivared

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Wonderful drift through history

Well done again Geraldine - a master at historic fiction - fascinating story and powerful writing - with strong emotional impacts. Congratulations too to Edwina Wren the narrator who managed to bring the characters to life in such vividness and depth.

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Wonderful story and gorgeously read

A great book with a wide ranging timeline and many separate stories woven into the one story of the book.

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Captivating book

Incredibly well researched, spellbinding book, love Geraldine’s books,you finish them and would like them to continue.

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Blue Mountains Heights book club

A most enjoyable read. Our book club had a very involved discussion with many aspects of the journey of the Haggadah. We appreciated the way it was written, and the clever way periods of history were linked into the story. Very well researched.

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Bookclub book

I love a historical fiction book. found it a challenge to remember all the stories but do worth it in the end

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Favourite

I love this book. It has become a favourite that I have re-read regularly. This was my first time listening to the book and the narrator has done a brilliant job.

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.