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The Book of Air and Shadows
 
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The Book of Air and Shadows (Paperback)

by Michael Gruber (Author)
3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
RRP: £7.99
Price: £5.99 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
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Frequently Bought Together

The Book of Air and Shadows + The Forgery of Venus: A Novel + Valley of Bones
Price For All Three: £21.97

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  • This item: The Book of Air and Shadows by Michael Gruber

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  • The Forgery of Venus: A Novel by Michael Gruber

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  • Valley of Bones by Michael Gruber

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Product details

  • Paperback: 576 pages
  • Publisher: Harper (1 Aug 2007)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0007251904
  • ISBN-13: 978-0007251902
  • Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 13 x 4 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 223,148 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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83% buy the item featured on this page:
The Book of Air and Shadows 3.5 out of 5 stars (8)
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Customer Reviews

8 Reviews
5 star:
 (3)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:
 (2)
2 star:
 (1)
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Average Customer Review
3.5 out of 5 stars (8 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating historical thriller!, 1 April 2007
This review is from: The Book of Air and Shadows (Hardcover)
My wife brought this book home a few days ago as she loves Da Vinci style thrillers, I don't however. But I do enjoy good writing. I picked up "Air and Shadows" and started reading the first chapter, In spite of my self I was hooked! In less the 48 hours I had finished the book. The Plot involves Ciphered seventeenth century letters that lead to a race to find an undiscovered Shakespear play. The story could easily have turned into another run of the mill historical thriller full of stereotypical characters and genre scenes we have all seen too many times, but the author doesn't allow that to happen. The book is intelligent, without being preachy, and the twists and turns are believable and for the most part I did not see them coming. Real historical nuance is woven into the fiction to create an especially satisfying read. This book really should enjoy a wide audience and would make a great movie in the right hands.
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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars ETAOIN SHRDLU And Other Cyphers, , 2 April 2007
By taking a rest - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)   
This review is from: The Book of Air and Shadows (Hardcover)
This is my first experience with Mr. Gruber and his writing and based upon the time I spent with this book I will certainly search out his earlier work.

I learned about, "The Book of Air and Shadows", while driving and listening to a reviewer on NPR compare this book to one of the most successful books, in terms of sales, of the last several decades. I generally will not take such advice as it is tends to be hyperbolic at best or is based on some axe the person has to grind against the book in the comparison as much as the one to be recommended.

Mr. Gruber's writing does not need to be compared to anyone else's work. If you like historical thrillers/mysteries and appreciate a book that is not just another version of something you have read before this author will reward you.

If you like Shakespeare that's fine if you don't that's fine too as the book is well written moves briskly between a variety of characters and while it can certainly be called intelligent it is not a scholarly hunt for The Bard that will leave non-enthusiasts bored.

There are a couple of traits worth noting; the author tells his story through a variety of people in widely separate places in History and he does so with great skill. Every character has a distinct voice and none come off as caricatures, which a lesser author certainly would have manufactured. The author does force readers to proceed at his pace whenever the character of Bracegirdle is narrating. In a book that moves along with a crisp cadence this may bother some readers. Don't let it bother you it is well worth the few minutes of extra time.

Buy and read this work you will have no regrets.
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6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars Interesting idea but not the best writing, 25 Sep 2007
By L. H. Healy "Books are life, beauty and truth." (Hertfordshire, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)      
I had not heard about the book or the author before and decided to take a complete chance on this one, primarily as I was intrigued by the Shakespeare theme.
I finished the book but mainly because I wanted to follow the story through to the end, just.
But I must admit that the style of writing, and the depiction of the characters, was not really to my taste, maybe a bit too clunky and obvious. Also I did not like or empathise with many of the characters which I think was part of my dislike for the novel. The plot itself is engaging up to a point though.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars well, I...
didn't expect to enjoy this novel as much as I actually did! I'm not familiar with Gruber's work, but I have been reading a few 'conspiracy' thrillers lately. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Jayne M. Turner

1.0 out of 5 stars Good idea for plot. Terribly written.
It's not often I feel urged to write a cautionary warning about a novel, but this book was shockingly badly written. Read more
Published 4 months ago by John Duce

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly engaging and enjoyable
What a clever writer Michael Gruber is! I haven't read his other books but on the basis of this one will certainly search them out. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Sophie Masson

3.0 out of 5 stars A Bit Too Much Air
It was the beautiful green front cover that drew me to this book, so I bought it and read it on holiday - it looked that type of book. Read more
Published on 21 Oct 2007 by Mr. John Frank Herbert

5.0 out of 5 stars Strange title, Great story
I bought this book in Tesco for £3.50 and enjoyed it so much I felt I'd cheated the author by not paying the full price. Read more
Published on 3 Oct 2007 by I. B. Pitbladdo

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