I thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Brooks' book, "Year of Wonders", and this one was another winner. The novel traces the history of the Sarajevo Haggadah - a famous Jewish codex illustrated with striking images created centuries ago. The story takes off from the present, where Hanna Heath works to analyze and conserve (not restore) the treasure, and takes us back through the ages to important events in the book's past. Each event is a story in and of itself, filled with rich, multi-layered characters all enduring unfathomable horrors which add to the inherent value of the haggadah. Hanna's story, which will become part of the history of the book, is not filled with the wretchedness of the earlier keepers of the book, but it is poignant and interesting. I learned something about the conservation of books and truly enjoyed the mystery aspect added by clues found within and on the pages of the codex.
Each little story (vignette?) leaves you wanting a bit more and, for that reason, this novel is not quite as engaging as "Year of Wonders", but I definitely recommend it and rate it as a 3.5 to 4.0.
Each little story (vignette?) leaves you wanting a bit more and, for that reason, this novel is not quite as engaging as "Year of Wonders", but I definitely recommend it and rate it as a 3.5 to 4.0.
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