People Of The Book by Geraldine Brooks

 

A Jewish holy document, the Sarajevo Haggadah, is found after the Bosnia war.  It was considered a miracle as the area had undergone Serbian bombing and this document was centuries old.  It was handmade and is now in need of analysis and repair.  There weren't many people in the world qualified to work on such a precious document.

The job goes to Hanna Heath, an Australian expert.  As she begins her work, she discovers items in the binding which she removed to repair.  There is a white hair, part of an insect wing, wine stains and a salt crystal.  Hanna is excited when her old teacher comes to inspect the book as well.  She also forms an attachment to the curator of the museum where the book is held.

Using the items found in the book, Hanna is able to trace the book through the ages.  It spent time in Seville, Venice, Barcelona and Bosnia.  She follows the book on its journeys and is able to identify some of the people involved in its journeys and discover the techniques of what they did and how they preserved the treasure.  Then as she finishes her work, new controversy emerges about the book.  Who is correct about its authenticity, Hanna or the other experts?

Geraldine Brooks is an Australian author who started as a journalist and who spent time in the Middle East, Bosnia and Somalia.  Her research background is evident in this work as the Haggadah is traced through the centuries.  There is a romance and also tragedy to be found.  This work is recommended for readers of historical and literary fiction.