People of the Book

Geraldine Brooks' new book People of the Book is a wonderful novel that proves that books often tell more than one story. Australian book conservator Hannah Heath is hired to conserve a rare Jewish haggadah at a museum in Serajevo. While Hannah treats the book, she makes detailed notes on it's condition and takes samples of various stains. As the story unfolds, Brooks relates both Hannah's discoveries regarding the book as well as the book's history throughout the years. For example Hannah learns that the stains on the pages came from a kosher wine and then Brooks takes us back to that year and we learn how the book became stained. This is a wonderful novel that all book lovers will enjoy.