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Series: no
Publisher: Viking Adult
Date: May 28, 2013
How did I get this book? free Advance Reader's Copy from the publisher via ShelfAwareness for an honest review
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
GoodReads | Author | Publisher
When a review copy of this book arrived on my doorstop, I nearly shrieked in excitement. Bypassing many other books, I placed it on the very top of my To-Read pile and I am happy to say it most definitely earned that coveted spot.
Part literary mystery, part tragic love story, and part ode to the written word, this book was everything I hoped it would be and more. A still grieving Peter Byerly finds a Victorian portrait that looks strikingly like his late wife Amanda and sets off to a find out more about it's origins. Along the way, he ends up on the trail of an even bigger mystery -- the question of whether or not Shakespeare's plays were actually written by Shakespeare of Stratford, or if they were written by another writer under that name.
One of the things I really liked was how the narrative switched between different points in time. A lot of the book is told from the present as Peter is trying to solve the mystery, but other parts go all the way back to Shakespeare's time and trace through the centuries following the historical aspects of the story. Yet another thread of the narrative follows Peter's relationship with Amanda from when they first met. It was heartbreaking to know she would inevitably die, but their relationship was really something special. Peter has social anxiety, but Amanda brings out the best in him and they are truly a perfect match. The bond they share is so touching and beautifully written, I will not soon forget this pair.
In addition to the actual love story, this book is suffused with the love of books. If you are a book lover (as so many of us are), Peter will feel like a kindred spirit. I know this book has found a special place in my heart and I'm sure it will resonate with other lovers of the written word as well. I can't recommend it highly enough.
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This book counts toward my reading goals for:
2013 Books About Books Challenge
2013 ARC Reading Challenge
I believe I will need to add this to my TBR pile right now. This sounds really good, especially since I am one of those book lovers. I love it when you find these gems that I haven't heard of before and review them. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYou will totally love it Kay! I was so glad I read it when I was away and had more reading time because it was really hard for me to put it down :)
DeleteWith the possible plot line I'm seeing from your summary, I wouldn't mind reading this. And book-loving characters are the best.
ReplyDeleteBook loving characters are some of my favorites Charlie -- I hope you enjoy this one too :)
DeleteThis sounds like an amazing read. Since reading The Marlowe Papers I've had a little obsession about the whole Shakespeare authorship mystery so I think this is right up my street! And you can't go wrong with a bit of book loving :)
ReplyDeleteI just saw The Marlowe Papers at my library, but thought it might be a little too soon since I had just finished this one & I didn't want to mix the stories up in my head! -- but I will definitely have to check it out another time. If you are interested in the Shakespeare mystery you will definitely love this book :)
DeleteJust saw your comment on my Plain Truth review and wanted to stop by to say thank you. I would love for you to give Jodi Picoult a chance. Starting with The Pact or Nineteen Minutes would be awesome. She has so many amazing books.
ReplyDeleteI love how you are doing a books talking about books theme lately.
Thanks for the suggestions Rachael -- sometimes with a new-to-me author who has written a lot of books, I just don't know where to start!
DeleteI really have been drawn to books about books lately -- and honestly they have been some of my favorites, so I think maybe I should continue on that theme :)
I have wanted to read this so much. Your review makes want to read it even more.
ReplyDeleteTHANKS so much.
Stopping by from Cym's Book Party. I visit your blog often.
Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews
My Blog
Thanks Elizabeth! It's a really excellent book -- I hope you enjoy it :)
DeleteI thought the title looked familiar! After reading your review, I was about to put it on my TBR in Goodreads and lo and behold, it was already there! Isn't it interesting that there is so much conjecture about the women behind great men doing the "real work?" -- for example, Bach's wife was believed to have composed some of Bach's masterpieces but in that time, women just weren't recognized for such accomplishments.
ReplyDeleteHaha, nice! I hope you do get to read it -- it is one of my all time favorites :) Can't wait for his next book coming out in the fall!
DeleteAnd I think some of those things will unfortunately remain a bit of a mystery!