People of the Book

I’ve had Geraldine Brook’s novel, People of the Book in my hands several times.  I finally bought it at the airport in Tel Aviv.    I like Brook’s writing style and find her characters engaging, human and believable. With my now-frequent trips to Israel, I get more from reading about the Jews, their history and traditions. In the People of the Book, Brooks adds context to the recent discovery and conservation of the Sarajevo Haggadah, an illustrated manuscript from 14th century Spain.I’m home now, back from a recent trip to Tel Aviv. I’m also wide awake at 3:30 in the morning and am sipping coffee, holding this book in my hand. I’m going to read it now, and immerse myself in the aftermath of the war in Bosnia, the frailties of religious leaders and am amazing text safeguarded through the Inquisition, World War II and ethnic cleansing.The world is smaller when I read. Politics become more real, more personal, when written about so vividly and humanly with someone as skilled as Brooks.For a quick history, check out Tikun Olam’s blog posting:  The Nine Lives of the Sarajevo Haggadah.