People of the Book (Fiction-2008) by Geraldine Brooks

Once again, Geraldine Brooks has taken a snippet of history and woven it into an engaging historical novel. People of the Book recounts the plausible journey of a uniquely illuminated Haggadah, which passes from family to family from the 14th to the 21st century. This holy Jewish book somehow emerged unscathed after the Bosnia War in Sarajevo, hence it is now known as the Sarajevo Haggadah. How many hands did it pass through on its incredible journey? Brooks postulates plausible answers to this question while enlightening the reader about historical events and cultural practices through the centuries. A captivating read available in the Castro Valley Library.

Reviewed by Carol Lyke