A note on the Amazon ads: I've chosen to display current events titles in the Amazon box. Unfortunately, Amazon appears to promote a disproportionate number of angry-left books. I have no power over it at this time. Rest assured, I'm still a conservative.
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Saturday, June 26, 2004
A page-turner: I just finished reading Lev Grossman's "The Codex," a book that quickly grabs you and doesn't let go.
Edward Wozny is an investment banker who is taking two weeks off work to prepare for his new posting in London. His last assignment before he starts packing is to visit an English Duke and Duchess for whom he had ingeniously made quite a bit of money.
When Wozny arrives he discovers that he is being tasked to go through several large boxes of antique books, catalog them and search especially for one by a Gervase of Langford. Wozny thinks the request odd, after all, he has no experience with rare books. After a couple of hours, he quits for the day, planning to pass off the work to some underling, but finds the books -- and the mystery bringing him back.
The search for the mysterious codex is compelling and reminiscent of Dan Brown's "DaVinci Code."
Unfortunately, the journey is more exciting than the destination. The book's ending, while an interesting twist -- isn't nearly as ingenious as the rest of the novel.
Though for many books this would be a fatal flaw, the journey of discovery is so good, that the ending can be overlooked. It's a good book, but you may want to wait for the paperback.
11:43 PM
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