In brooks novel, natan, davids friend and advisor after he became king, is commissioned to write king davids biography. She has also written the acclaimed nonfiction works nine parts of desire and foreign correspondence. Using the disaffected natan as both character and narrator allows brooks to examine davids life in critical detail. Oct 04, 2016 in the secret chord, brooks does what she does best.
What struck me most in reading the secret chord was the ambitious work that you do with womens voices and interiority. Alice hoffman, the washington post a rich and utterly absorbing novel about the life of king david, from the pulitzer prizewinning author. I was surprisedthats not the normal choice for a little boy, says brooks, the pulitzer prizewinning author of people of the book and march. The secret history by donna tartt book club discussion. The secret chord by geraldine brooks is a historical fiction novel that follows the life of king david of israel. The book is narrated by natan, the prophet through whom god speaks to david, who convinces the king at what today we might call a midcareer point of the wisdom of chronicling. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. The secret chord reads like a shakespeare history play with a dash of machiavelli. Geraldine brooks chooses marilynne robinsons gilead for wsj book club geraldine brooks, author of the secret chord, picks marilynne robinsons elegiac work gilead, about an. The secret chord, further arouses suspicion of such magical powers.
The secret chord by geraldine brooks discussion guide. Prepare by reading this article through all the way. The secret chord is a book about the life of king david, from valorous beginning to tragic end, told by nathan the prophet. Sep 28, 2015 because this is a book in which war is a constant, most of the action is concerned with the brutality and complexities of battle.
A rich and utterly absorbing novel about the life of king david, from the pulitzer prizewinning author of people of the book and march. Dec 16, 2015 the year of wonders reading guide book club discussion questions litlovers. We see david through the eyes of those who love him or fear him from the prophet natan, voice of his conscience. Her next work, the secret chord 2015 is a historical novel based on the life of the biblical king david in the period of the second iron age. The secret chord 2015 is a novel about king david by pulitzer prizewinning author geraldine brooks. Book club questions for the husbands secret by liane. As natan digs into davids past, he gives account of his own experiences with the king. The secret by rhonda byrne is a publishing phenomenon. And there is one chord, one perfect assembly of notes that no other hand can play. The year of wonders reading guide book club discussion. Acpl online book club the secret chordjune showing 12 of 2. Reviews publishers weekly brookss interest in religious commitment people of the book accrues rich rewards in this ambitious and psychologically astute novel about the harpplaying, psalmsinging king. The secret chord by geraldine brooks the boston globe. The dc public library offers a variety of book clubs for residents to gather and discuss their love of books.
She has also written the acclaimed nonfiction works nine parts of desire. Geraldine brooks reimagines king davids life in the secret. The book is narrated by natan, the prophet through whom god speaks to david, who convinces the king at what today we might call a midcareer point of the wisdom of chronicling his already. Content includes books from bestselling, midlist and debut authors. Im going to be honest with you here if my book club hadnt chosen this im going to be honest with you here if my book club hadnt chosen this. The result yields a gripping tale of a rulers stresses and sacrifices, his triumphs and shames. The secret chord by geraldine brooks is a fictionalized story of the old testament hero and king, david. Jul 20, 2015 the secret chord provides new context for some of the bestknown episodes of davids life while also focusing on others, even more remarkable and emotionally intense, that have been neglected. The secret chord whole book, spoilers allowed january 2016 portia. Recommended to book clubs by 6 of 7 members a page turner. For a complete schedule of 20162017 book discussions, see the library book club webpage. We see david through the eyes of those who love him or fear himfrom the prophet natan, voice of his conscience, to his wives mikal, avigail, and. The secret chord june comments showing 12 of 2 2 new post a comment. Geraldine brooks reimagines king davids life in the.
The secret chord is the story of king david, as told through the eyes of his prophet and counselor, natan. Brookss trademark is her ability to delve into universal and contemporary themes in historical contexts. It is not necessary for your participants to read the book this study guide provides handouts and summary material to cover the main points of the. The secret chord book club kit omaha public library. The place and character names used throughout the book use the transliteration from the hebrew of the tanakh. Our discussion of will take place on tuesday, september 27 at 12. We see david through the eyes of those who love him or fear himfrom the prophet natan, voice of his conscience, to his wives mikal, avigail, and batsheva, and finally to solomon, the lateborn son who redeems his learlike old age.
So it was with pleasure i started reading the secret chord. The book gets its title from a contemporary song, leonard cohens. Here are some suggestions for further reading and watching that share appeal characteristics of hit books and television series. Calebs crossing was the winner of the new england book. Jun 27, 2010 brooks was awarded the pulitzer prize in fiction in 2006 for her novel march. Please note that sometimes book club events are canceled or rescheduled due to unforeseen circumstances. In her 2015 novel the secret chord, geraldine brooks explores the biblical figure david, whose feats particularly his triumph over goliath transcend religion by extending into popular culture. We see david through the eyes of those who love him or fear himfrom the prophet natan, voice of his conscience, to his wives mikhal, avigail, and. Natan, friend and advisor to king david, receives permission to write davids biography. Like march and people of the book, the secret chord is studded with action, interesting characters, sweeping timelines and moving scenes filled with drama and conflict a timely and universal exploration of the limits of loyalty, the seductive and corrupting influence of power, and the intersections between sin and faith, punishment and redemption. She is also the author of the nonfiction works nine parts of desire and foreign correspondence.
When geraldine brooks son was nine, he asked her if he could learn the harp. The secret chord is the fifth novel by pulitzer prizewinning australian author, geraldine brooks. Recommended to book clubs by 41 of 43 members an unforgettable tale of a brave young woman during the plague in 17th century england from the author the secret chord and of march. You may want to get a copy of the secret and read it yourself. Oct 25, 2015 the secret chord, by geraldine brooks. The secret chord provides new context for some of the bestknown episodes of david s life while also focusing on others, even more remarkable and emotionally intense, that have been neglected.
Calebs crossing, people of the book and year of wonders. The secret chord geraldine brooks, 2015 penguin publishing 320 pp. Lust is one of the sins explored in this novel through elinor, jane martin, anys gowdie and anna. David desires a written record of his life and tasks natan with interviewing those who knew david as a young man. I had no idea he was also an amoral monster who condoned rape, incest and war crimes of a bloodthirsty nature. But the secret chord is also a study of loyalty and betrayal. This is the discussion guide for the secret chord by geraldine brooks. The secret chord provides new context for some of the bestknown episodes of davids life while also focusing on others, even more remarkable and emotionally intense, that have been neglected. Calebs crossing was the winner of the new england book award for fiction and the. We see david through the eyes of those who love him or fear himfrom the prophet natan, voice of his conscience, to his wives mikal, avigail, and batsheva, and finally to solomon, the lateborn son who. The sound of it pure, rinsing sound, void so that your spirit seems to rush in to fill the space between the notes. Below is a selection of the many reading groups and book discussions. The secret chord by geraldine brooks is a fictionalized account of the rise and fall of david, the second king of the israelites. Geraldine brooks goodreads author topics about this book topics that mention this book.
Her most recent novel, calebs crossing, was a new york times best seller. David has asked natan to use three sources who knew david before natan met him. I just finished and it and found some questions from the publisher on the book. Geraldine brooks the secret chord october 27, 2016 kgnu featured, morning magazine, radio book club the october 2016 selection for our radio book club is geraldine brooks and her latest book the secret chord which takes a look at the life of king david. Summary of the secret chord ebook by instaread summaries. Please check the calendar to make sure an event is scheduled on the date you wish to attend. The secret chord, by geraldine brooks the new york times. Geraldine brooks posted june 27, 2010 add comment australianborn geraldine brooks is an author and journalist who grew up in the western suburbs of sydney, attending bethlehem college ashfield and the university of sydney. The secret chorda thundering, gritty, emotionally devastating reconsideration of the story of king davidmakes a masterly case for the generative power of retelling some of the magic here has to do with setting and timefor sensory dramatics, its hard to compete with the iron age middle east but brookss real. If you read the book you can leave your answers in the comments section.
I started reading the husbands secret but could never find the time to finish it. It just doesnt have the drive and twists that her other books have, especially people of the book. 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 lateborn. When is keeping a secret within a family justified. Page turner thursdays district of columbia public library. An unforgettable tale of a brave young woman during the plague in century england from the author the secret chord. The book is also widely available from public libraries in print and audio form. The sound of it pure, rinsing sound, void so that your spirit seems to rush in to fill the space between the notes the secret chord is the fifth novel by pulitzer prizewinning australian author, geraldine brooks. A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy. The secret chord is powerful storytelling, its landscape and time evoked in lyrical prose. The secret chord is a 2015 novel by australianamerican writer geraldine brooks. And while the secret chord is a historical novel, it also owes a. The secret chord the georgetown book club s december selection.
This entry was posted in news features and tagged bible, david, geraldine books, secret chord on august 25, 2016 by harold henkel. A provocative look at what is certainly a provocative work of literature. Nov 11, 2015 she shared her experience researching, concocting, and writing the secret chord. This study guide consists of approximately 41 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of year of wonders. Brooks was awarded the pulitzer prize for fiction for her 2005 novel march. Its just that book that you keep slogging through, not enough to give up completely, but not very motivating to complete, either. Year of wonders by geraldine brooks reading guidebook. Because this is a book in which war is a constant, most of the action is concerned with the brutality and complexities of battle. Like march and people of the book, the secret chord is studded with action, interesting characters, sweeping timelines and moving scenes filled with drama and conflict. Year of wonders andpeople of the book, are international bestsellers, translated into more than 25 languages. Its been on the best seller list for months, oprah winfrey devoted not one but two shows to it, newsweek featured it in a big article on march 5, 2007, theres 1.
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