The Book of Air and Shadows
by Michael Gruber
List Price:
Our Price: $0.47
You Save: $14.52 (97%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions
Book Summary Information
Author: Michael GruberEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-02-26
ISBN: 0061456578
Number of pages: 496
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Book Reviews of The Book of Air and Shadows
Book Review: Take the time to read this excellent novel
Summary: 5 Stars
I have never been disappointed by Michael Gruber's novels. I thoroughly enjoyed the Jimmy Paz series and consider "Tropic of Night" one of the best post modern horror novels written. "The Book of Air and Shadows" is a 180 degree turn from "Tropic of Night" but just as good as the aforementioned novel. This one is not a quick read, but the reader should allow as much time as needed to digest this full and rich historical thriller/mystery.
Jake Mishkin is the anti-hero, protagonist, a well off IP (intellectual property) attorney separated from a gorgeous and saintly (and rich) wife due to his horndog ways. He is also the middle child of a union between a shady jewish underworld figure and the daughter of a prominent nazi with an older brother hoodlum turned priest and a slutty/model younger sister. This guy is a wreck and the reason to bring this up is because all these character descriptions/flaws weave into the plot and climax.
There are three intertwined stories in the novel, Mishkin and his relationship with his best friend, a thrice married Shakespearian Scholar Mickey Haas, two young employees of a book shop, frustrated film maker Albert Crosetti and his mysterious paramour Carolyn Rolly who discover the original letters of one Richard Bracegirdle, a contemporary of William Shakespeare who alludes, through the letters, that there is one lost play of Shakespeare remaining if anyone can find it, and the letters of Bracegirdle himself which discuss his life and his relationship with Shakespeare. Are these letters real or just an elaborate hoax?
The plot is glacial but extremely developed and entertaining. The novel reads like a slow motion version of Peter Bogdanovich's "What's Up Doc", which I mean as a supreme compliment due to the sudden plot twists and skillful interweaving of such disparate characters as British professors, gangbangers, Russian mobsters, Italian mothers and even a retired Polish spy/cryptographer. Looming on every page is the desire to obtain the prize, the Lost Shakespeare play.
I love this book. This is great and Mr. Gruber should be commended for writing such a wonderful novel that has restored my faith in the existence of an intelligent and literate thriller genre.
Summary of The Book of Air and Shadows
A fire destroys a New York City rare bookstore?and reveals clues to a treasure worth killing for. . . . A disgraced scholar is found tortured to death. . . . And those pursuing the most valuable literary find in history are about to cross from the harmless mundane into inescapable nightmare.
From the acclaimed, bestselling author of Tropic of Night comes a breathtaking thriller that twists, shocks, and surprises at every turn as it crisscrosses centuries, from the glaring violence of today into the dark shadows of truth and lies surrounding the greatest writer the world has ever known.
Literature & Fiction Books
Book Subjects
- Arts & Photography
- Biographies & Memoirs
- Business & Investing
- Children's Books
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Computers & Internet
- Cooking, Food & Wine
- Entertainment
- Gay & Lesbian
- Health, Mind & Body
- History
- Home & Garden
- Horror
- Law
- Literature & Fiction
- Mystery & Thrillers
- Nonfiction
- Outdoors & Nature
- Parenting & Families
- Professional & Technical
- Reference
- Religion & Spirituality
- Romance
- Science
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Sports
- Teens
- Travel
Most talked about in Literature & Fiction Books
Little Womenby Louisa May Alcott
Scribner; Published: 1986-06-30; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.49
Price in other shops:
The Killing Groundby JACK HIGGINS
HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS LTD; Published: 2007; Hardcover; Book
Saving Fish from Drowningby Amy Tan
4th Estate; Published: 2005; Paperback; Book
Life Expectancyby Dean Koontz
Harpercollins Pb; Published: 2005-08-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.00
Constant Princessby Philippa Gregory
Touchstone/Simon & Schuster; Published: 2005; Hardcover; Book
Wolf of the Plains (Conqueror, Book 1)by Conn Iggulden
Harper; Published: 2007; Paperback; Book
Saharaby Clive Cussler
Harper Collins Pb; Published: 2005-03-21; Paperback; Book
Perelandra (Cosmic Trilogy)by C. S. Lewis
Voyager; Published: 2005-11; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.73
Price in other shops:
The Lord Of The Rings: Part 2 The Two Towersby J. R. R. Tolkien
Harper Collins Publishers; Published: 2001; Paperback; Book
Red Marsby Kim Stanley Robinson
Trafalgar Square; Published: 2001-06; Paperback; Book
Similar Books and other products
Valley of Bonesby Michael Gruber
William Morrow; Published: 2005-01-04; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $3.92
Price in other shops:
Night of the Jaguar: A Novel (Jimmy Paz)by Michael Gruber
William Morrow Paperbacks; Published: 2009-11-17; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.19
Price in other shops:
The Forgery of Venus: A Novelby Michael Gruber
William Morrow; Published: 2008-04-01; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $2.94
Price in other shops:
The Good Son: A Novelby Michael Gruber
St. Martin's Griffin; Published: 2011-02-15; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.94
Price in other shops:
The Witch's Boyby Michael Gruber
Published: 2005-04-01; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $6.80
Price in other shops:
Night of the Jaguar: A Novel (Jimmy Paz)by Michael Gruber
Harper Paperbacks; Published: 2009-12-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $5.06
Price in other shops:
The Good Son: A Novelby Michael Gruber
Henry Holt and Co.; Published: 2010-05-11; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $6.68
Price in other shops:
Tropic of Night: A Novelby Michael Gruber
William Morrow Paperbacks; Published: 2008-12-30; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.32
Price in other shops:
The Forgery of Venus: A Novelby Michael Gruber
Harper Paperbacks; Published: 2009-03-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.25
Price in other shops:
Valley of Bones: A Novelby Michael Gruber
Harper Paperbacks; Published: 2009-05-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.55
Price in other shops: