A seventeen-year-old book blog offering book reviews and news about authors, publishers, bookstores, and libraries.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
People of the Book
The Sarajevo Haggadah, a real Hebrew codex, has miraculously survived five centuries of violence, warfare and mankind’s tendency to destroy whatever is seen as a threat to those who for the moment have that kind of power. The fact that this haggadah is an illuminated text, a surprising style for a Jewish text of that period, makes the book exceptionally rare and of great historical value. The book might have been destroyed during the Bosnian conflict that devastated Sarajevo but for the intervention of a Muslim scholar who moved it to the safety of a bank vault, at least the second time in its history that this Jewish book was saved with direct Muslim help.
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Glad you liked this one Sam. I liked it ok but I was a little let down. I loved Year of Wonders though.
ReplyDeleteAmy, by far, my favorite of the three of her books that I've now read is "March." I thought that one was great.
ReplyDeleteI've just asked the library to get me a copy of "Nine Points of Desire," her non-fiction look at what it is like to be female and live in a strict Muslim country.
Lots of 4s lately - you've hit a good streak of books.
ReplyDeleteThe funny thing is, Annie, that I've read three "5s" lately and all three of them were for reviews on another website, "Curled Up." I wish I could talk about them here...
ReplyDeleteI liked this one, but not as much as I liked her other books. I did love Year of Wonders (except for that ending!) and really liked March as well.
ReplyDeleteMarg, I'm starting to believe that "endings" are Geraldine's biggest problem. Two out of three of her novels have ended weakly, IMO, and that's a shame.
ReplyDeleteI think endings are her problem, too! But I'll read this, anyway--such an interesting setting. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it, Gentle Reader...it's worth a look, for sure.
ReplyDelete