Nov 16, 2016 join the georgetown book club as we discuss the secret chord on thursday, december 15 at 7. Geraldine brooks reimagines king davids life in the. The place and character names used throughout the book use the transliteration from the hebrew of the tanakh. In brooks novel, natan, davids friend and advisor after he became king, is commissioned to write king david s biography. Is there a theoretical explanation what the secret chord is.
In her latest historical novel, the secret chord, brooks has chosen natan the prophet to narrate davids tale. The secret chord geraldine brooks, 2015 penguin publishing 320 pp. The secret chord, by geraldine brooks the new york times. Geraldine brooks the secret chord, which recounts the story of king david, had been on my tbr list since i learned it existed. In the secret chord viking, october 6, 2015, a splendid reimagining of king davids life, geraldine brooks harmonically blends historical record with her gift for breathing life into people and events that have shaped our world brooks won the pulitzer prize for her 2005 novel march which takes place in america during the civil war. 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. Brooks takes on one of literatures richest and most enigmatic figures.
Alice hoffman, the washington post a rich and utterly absorbing novel about the life of king david, from the pulitzer prizewinning author. The book gets its title from a contemporary song, leonard cohens majestic hallelujah, but it takes. Dec 22, 2015 geraldine brooks the secret chord, which recounts the story of king david, had been on my tbr list since i learned it existed. 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. 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. Geraldine brooks the secret chord breathes new life.
The secret chord by geraldine brooks is a historical fiction novel that follows the life of king david of israel. In the secret chord viking, october 6, 2015, a splendid reimagining of king davids life, geraldine brooks harmonically blends historical record with her gift for breathing life into people and events that have shaped our world. When my book club chose it as the selection for december, i cheered. She came to fort collins as our fort collins reads author for her novel people of the book my favorite of her novels. We see david through the eyes of those who love him or fear him from the prophet natan, voice of his conscience.
The secret chord is an enchanting ride with the irish violinistfarmerspy conor mcbride who turns up in vermont and meets his match in artistinnkeeper kate fitzpatrick. On the hand, the lyrics are i heard there was a secret chord. Here are some suggestions for further reading and watching that share appeal characteristics of hit books and television series. Enter your name and email below for instant access to the free chord code book download. But i picked itmore i admit i put this book down for awhile to read other books, and then thought about donating it to the library without finishing it. Her new novel, the secret chord, further arouses suspicion of such magical powers. 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. Anointed as the chosen one when just a young shepherd boy, david will rise to be king, grasping the throne and. Pam whiting i admit i put this book down for awhile to read other books, and then thought about donating it to the library without finishing it. The title is taken from the leonard cohen song, hallelujah. The secret chord is the fifth novel by pulitzer prizewinning australian author, geraldine brooks. If you want to sing out, sing out, and if you want to be free, be free, cause theres a million ways to be, you know that there are. The secret chord book club kit vancouver public library.
A deeply imaginative exploration of this once powerful but deeply flawed ruler brooks is a gifted, engrossing storyteller. Chronicling davids rise, from his early days as a shepherd to his ascension to the throne of israel, the novel brings to vivid life many old testament. Told from the point of view of the prophet nathan, this book follows the life of biblical king david. Top pick for book clubs geraldine brooks delivers another expertly wrought historical novel with the secret chord, a compelling retelling of the life and times of king david of the bible. Ana is the daughter of matthias, head scribe to herod antipas, tetrarch of galilee. But the secret chord is also a study of loyalty and betrayal. The secret chord the conor mcbride series mystery suspense. Using the disaffected natan as both character and narrator allows brooks to examine davids life in. But i picked it up again and was sucked into the story more than before. This novel creates a fictionalized version of king davids life using the broad biblical story as its basis.
With that gently dismissive allowance, spoken by the biblical king david, brooks calebs crossing, 2011, etc. The secret chord book club kit omaha public library. Oct 07, 2015 the secret chord is powerful storytelling, its landscape and time evoked in lyrical prose. It just doesnt have the drive and twists that her other books have, especially. Below is a selection of the many reading groups and book discussions.
The secret chord, by geraldine brooks viking, 320 pp. Ploughing into chilly weather, cozy sweaters, and holiday season galore, my final book club read for the year we dont meet in december was the one i had been anticipating the most. The secret chord by geraldine brooks penguin random house audio. Copies are currently available at the georgetown neighborhood library, and everyone is welcome. Oct 25, 2015 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. 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. 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. Diane rehmthe book is titled the secret chord and author geraldine. The secret chord by geraldine brooks discussion guide. David desires a written record of his life and tasks natan with interviewing those who knew david as a young man.
This summary assured me, before going to book club, that i didnt overlook or miss any important bits about this fictionalized biography. The secret chord geraldine brooks fiction 386 pages. The secret chord goodreads meet your next favorite book. The sound of it pure, rinsing sound, void so that your spirit seems to rush in to fill the space between the notes. In my oilsoaked days of chanukah, i found myself reading the story of a great jewish warrior. Oct 04, 2016 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. 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.
The secret chord district of columbia public library. I read her newest novel, the secret chord, in the course of a day. Geraldine brooks reimagines king davids life in the secret. Geraldine brooks new novel, the secret chord, is based on the life of the biblical david, a charismatic leader who used terrible violence to. And there is one chord, one perfect assembly of notes that no other hand can play. 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. Please note that sometimes book club events are canceled or rescheduled due to unforeseen circumstances. Alice hoffman, the washington post a rich and utterly absorbing novel about the life of king david, from the. She demonstrates an exceptional aptitude for writing, and matthias, for a time, indulges her with reed pens, papyri, and other 16 c. As natan digs into davids past, he gives account of his own experiences with the king.
Because this is a book in which war is a constant, most of the action is concerned with the brutality and complexities of battle. He is, however, limited to three sources of information. Wtba book club the secret chord by geraldine brooks tues, feb. 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. The secret chord is the story of king david, as told through the eyes of his prophet and counselor, natan. The secret chord is a book about the life of king david, from valorous beginning to tragic end, told by nathan the prophet. This is the discussion guide for the secret chord by geraldine brooks. The secret chord 2015 is a novel about king david by pulitzer prizewinning author geraldine brooks. The secret chord by geraldine brooks booksamillion. All are welcome to join us at the temple on tuesday evenings from 7. Jan 22, 2016 geraldine brooks new novel, the secret chord, is based on the life of the biblical david, a charismatic leader who used terrible violence to consolidate his power. In her latest book, pulitzer prize winner geraldine brooks sets herself the daunting challenge of portraying one of the most heroic yet morally.
Alice hoffman, the washington post a rich and utterly absorbing novel about the life of king david, from the pulitzer prizewinning author of people of the book and. Also, david danced and sang for the lord, and it pleased him. Like march and people of the book, the secret chord is studded with action, interesting characters, sweeping timelines. The dc public library offers a variety of book clubs for residents to gather and discuss their love of books. The day he was approached by the leader of a group of rebels was to be the turning. Wtba book club the secret chord by geraldine brooks tues. The secret chord by geraldine brooks the boston globe. A rich and utterly absorbing novel about the life of king david, from the pulitzer prizewinning author of people of the book and march. The first book in the series was ok for me but this book i really enjoyed. 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. The secret chord by geraldine brooks penguin random. Please check the calendar to make sure an event is scheduled on the date you wish to attend. 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. Is there a theoretical explanation what the secret chord.
The secret chord, for one not having studied the bible at all, is full of much information about king david. The fictionalized narrative is a look into the secret world of king david, renowned historical and. The secret chord by geraldine brooks is a fictionalized account of the rise and fall of david, the second king of the israelites. The secret chord is powerful storytelling, its landscape and time evoked in lyrical prose. 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.
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