The Secret Chord [B1663]

2015 HCDJ in nice clean condition. A rich and utterly absorbing novel about the life of King David, from the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of People of the Book and March. Now, Brooks takes on one of literature's richest and most enigmatic figures: a man who shimmers between history and legend. Peeling away the myth to bring David to life in Second Iron Age Israel, Brooks traces the arc of his journey from obscurity to fame, from shepherd to soldier, from hero to traitor, from beloved king to murderous despot and into his remorseful and diminished dotage. The Secret Chord provides new context for some of the best-known episodes of David's life while also focusing on others, even more remarkable and emotionally intense, that have been neglected. We see David through the eyes of those who love him or fear him-from the prophet Natan, voice of his conscience, to his wives Mikhal, Avigail, and Batsheva, and finally to Solomon, the late-born son who redeems his Lear-like old age. Brooks has an uncanny ability to hear and transform characters from history, and this beautifully written, unvarnished saga of faith, desire, family, ambition, betrayal, and power will enthrall her many fans.

From recent mixed Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "A wonderful story. A delight to read. I'm looking forward to reading more of her novels. So beautiful. A joy."; "It's been a decade since I read this book, and I'm still not over its brutality. Brooks is a master storyteller, making the difficult passages that much more devastating. The sheer violence and injustice of one scene in particular has stayed with me for years and years. I wish I had skipped right over this book and moved on to her next one."; "Truly a fascinating story of the life of King David, but the myriad of names make the book hard to read. Just when you feel you have to stop, the story takes a twist and you must go on. Not Brooks' best book, but a great effort."; "WOW. After being so thoroughly impressed by Horse earlier this year, I was recommended this from Geraldine Brooks next and it did not disappoint. A historical fiction tale of King David, as told by his prophet Nathaniel over the course of his remarkable life. Brooks is an author particularly gifted in fully realizing her characters such that the reader can see them and their inner lives with crystal clarity. David's flaws and gifts and fallacies and redemptions were all so real in the hands of the prophet; the women's stories painful and terrifying and joyful and so, so real. Treat yourself to the Arthurian mythology of Judea and feel, even if it's just between these pages, closer to God."; "A beautifully told, rich, and detailed story. Geraldine Brooks brings a time, a place and a people to life! The historically detail and beautiful writing immerse the reader in the harsh and beautiful time of David. An easy five stars from me!"