The Secret Chord
2017 Longlist

The Secret Chord

ABOUT
THE BOOK

1000 BC. The Second Iron Age. The time of King David.
Anointed as the chosen one when just a young shepherd boy, David will rise to be king, grasping the throne and establishing his empire. But his journey is a tumultuous one and the consequences of his choices will resound for generations. In a life that arcs from obscurity to fame, he is by turns hero and traitor, glamorous young tyrant and beloved king, murderous despot and remorseful, diminished patriarch. His wives love and fear him, his sons will betray him. It falls to Natan, the courtier and prophet who both counsels and castigates David, to tell the truth about the path he must take.

Author Geraldine Brooks offers us a compelling portrait of a morally complex hero from this strange age – part legend, part history. Full of drama and richly drawn detail, The Secret Chord is a vivid story of faith, family, desire and power that brings David magnificently alive.

 

ABOUT
THE AUTHOR Geraldine
Brooks

Geraldine Brooks is an author and journalist. She worked for the Wall Street Journal, covering the crises in the Middle East, Africa and the Balkans. In 2006 she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in fiction for her novel March. Her novels Caleb’s Crossing and People of the Book were both New York Times bestsellers. Year of Wonders and People of the Book are international bestsellers, translated into more than 25 languages. In 2016 she was appointed Officer in the Order of Australia for her services to literature. Australian-born, Brooks now lives in Massachusetts with her husband, and their two sons.

Geraldine Brooks is an author and journalist. She worked for the Wall Street Journal, covering the crises in the Middle East, Africa and the Balkans. In 2006 she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in fiction for her novel March. Her novels Caleb’s Crossing and People of the Book were both New York Times bestsellers. Year of Wonders and People of the Book are international bestsellers, translated into more than 25 languages. In 2016 she was appointed Officer in the Order of Australia for her services to literature. Australian-born, Brooks now lives in Massachusetts with her husband, and their two sons.

NOMINATING LIBRARY COMMENTS

In The Secret Chord, Pulitzer Prize winning author Geraldine Brooks re-tells the biblical story of David the shepherd boy who slew the giant Goliath and grew up to become the King of Israel. Brooks’ skill as a storyteller is highlighted through her lyrical and evocative writing which brings to life the time and landscape in which the narrative is set. Brooks draws from the Old Testament to tell a compelling story which is appropriately crafted for a contemporary audience. The author’s latest book finely displays the work of an exceptional writer.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Date published
06/10/2015
Publisher
Viking

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