November 2010 Host: Jennie
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
Summary
This is a work of fiction inspired by the true story of the Hebrew codex known as the Sarajevo Haggadah. In 1996, a thirty year old Australian rare book expert, Dr. Hanna Heath, is hired to examine a fifteenth century haggadah (a book used by Jewish families during the seder that tells the story of the exodus from Egypt) which was created in medieval Spain. The manuscript is lavishly illustrated, ironically at a time when Jewish beliefs were against such illustrations. As Hanna unravels the history of the haggadah, the reader is transported back in time: 1940 Sarajevo, 1894 Vienna, 1609 Venice, and 1480 Seville. In each of these time periods there is a historical conflict between a person protecting the book and those wanting to defile or destroy the book. In the present, Hanna discovers clues in the form of a wine stain, missing clasps, a drop of salt, etc., which helps in tracing the history of the haggadah which she also learns has survived overwhelming odds. She becomes romantically involved with the savior of the haggadah - a Muslim librarian - which is her first meaningful relationship. The journey of this book helps Hanna find out more about herself as well as truths she never knew existed. Geraldine Brooks is the Pulitzer Prize winning author of March.
Discussion
-We all enjoyed this book (about a book) and how well researched it was, not only the various time periods and the events and politics that took place during those time periods, but also the knowledge the author imparts about manuscript preservation.
-Hanna and her mother have a very unusual relationship. They are both very intelligent, successful, and strong women, yet they continually spurn and antagonize each other. The mother is a highly respected neurosurgeon who belittles Hannah’s work.
-The book demonstrates how powerful a mentor in both academia and in professional matters can be.
-Themes of anti Catholicism run throughout the story and we are reminded of how anti-Semitism was practiced even centuries ago. We are also reminded of the many eras throughout history where Jews, Muslims, and Christians coexisted peacefully.
Summary
This is a work of fiction inspired by the true story of the Hebrew codex known as the Sarajevo Haggadah. In 1996, a thirty year old Australian rare book expert, Dr. Hanna Heath, is hired to examine a fifteenth century haggadah (a book used by Jewish families during the seder that tells the story of the exodus from Egypt) which was created in medieval Spain. The manuscript is lavishly illustrated, ironically at a time when Jewish beliefs were against such illustrations. As Hanna unravels the history of the haggadah, the reader is transported back in time: 1940 Sarajevo, 1894 Vienna, 1609 Venice, and 1480 Seville. In each of these time periods there is a historical conflict between a person protecting the book and those wanting to defile or destroy the book. In the present, Hanna discovers clues in the form of a wine stain, missing clasps, a drop of salt, etc., which helps in tracing the history of the haggadah which she also learns has survived overwhelming odds. She becomes romantically involved with the savior of the haggadah - a Muslim librarian - which is her first meaningful relationship. The journey of this book helps Hanna find out more about herself as well as truths she never knew existed. Geraldine Brooks is the Pulitzer Prize winning author of March.
Discussion
-We all enjoyed this book (about a book) and how well researched it was, not only the various time periods and the events and politics that took place during those time periods, but also the knowledge the author imparts about manuscript preservation.
-Hanna and her mother have a very unusual relationship. They are both very intelligent, successful, and strong women, yet they continually spurn and antagonize each other. The mother is a highly respected neurosurgeon who belittles Hannah’s work.
-The book demonstrates how powerful a mentor in both academia and in professional matters can be.
-Themes of anti Catholicism run throughout the story and we are reminded of how anti-Semitism was practiced even centuries ago. We are also reminded of the many eras throughout history where Jews, Muslims, and Christians coexisted peacefully.
Ingredients
*1 (16 oz.) can fruit cocktail, drained
*1 (16 oz.) can crushed pineapple, drained
*1 (16 oz) cottage cheese
*1 (8 oz) sour cream
*1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, cubed
*1 small bag miniature marshmallows
*½ cup coconut
*1/3 cup walnuts, chopped
Mix together and refrigerate. Keeps well for several days.
*1 (16 oz.) can fruit cocktail, drained
*1 (16 oz.) can crushed pineapple, drained
*1 (16 oz) cottage cheese
*1 (8 oz) sour cream
*1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, cubed
*1 small bag miniature marshmallows
*½ cup coconut
*1/3 cup walnuts, chopped
Mix together and refrigerate. Keeps well for several days.
Original Recipe Yield 12 small muffins
Ingredients
*3/4 cup white sugar
*1/4 cup vegetable oil
*2 eggs
*3/4 cup canned pumpkin
*1/4 cup water
*1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
*3/4 teaspoon baking powder
*1/2 teaspoon baking soda
*1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
*1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
*1/4 teaspoon salt
*1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
*1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease and flour muffin pan or use paper liners.
2. Mix sugar, oil, eggs. Add pumpkin and water. In separate bowl mix together the baking flour, baking soda, baking powder, spices and salt.. Add wet mixture and stir in chocolate chips.
3. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full with batter. Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes.
Ingredients
*3/4 cup white sugar
*1/4 cup vegetable oil
*2 eggs
*3/4 cup canned pumpkin
*1/4 cup water
*1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
*3/4 teaspoon baking powder
*1/2 teaspoon baking soda
*1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
*1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
*1/4 teaspoon salt
*1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
*1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease and flour muffin pan or use paper liners.
2. Mix sugar, oil, eggs. Add pumpkin and water. In separate bowl mix together the baking flour, baking soda, baking powder, spices and salt.. Add wet mixture and stir in chocolate chips.
3. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full with batter. Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes.
Ingredients
* 12 slices of white bread, thinly buttered
* ¾ lb grated sharp cheddar cheese
* Meat (your choice):
* 2 cups of cubed ham
* 1 lb crumbled bacon
* 1lb prepared sausage
* 6 eggs beaten slightly
* 3 ¼ cups of milk
* 2 Tbsps minced onion
* ½ tsp salt
* ¼ tsp dry mustard
1. Trim crusts from the bread and cut into cubes. Arrange these in a 9x13” pan. Top with cheese and your choice of the meats.
2. Combine the eggs, milk, and seasonings and pour mixture over the bread and meat.
3. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
4. Bake the next day, uncovered, at 325 for 55 minutes.
Note: If I am short on time, I don’t always butter the bread. Try it both ways and see which you like better.
* 12 slices of white bread, thinly buttered
* ¾ lb grated sharp cheddar cheese
* Meat (your choice):
* 2 cups of cubed ham
* 1 lb crumbled bacon
* 1lb prepared sausage
* 6 eggs beaten slightly
* 3 ¼ cups of milk
* 2 Tbsps minced onion
* ½ tsp salt
* ¼ tsp dry mustard
1. Trim crusts from the bread and cut into cubes. Arrange these in a 9x13” pan. Top with cheese and your choice of the meats.
2. Combine the eggs, milk, and seasonings and pour mixture over the bread and meat.
3. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
4. Bake the next day, uncovered, at 325 for 55 minutes.
Note: If I am short on time, I don’t always butter the bread. Try it both ways and see which you like better.
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