The Secret Chord by Geraldine Brooks

The Secret Chord by Geraldine Brooks
Publisher: Viking Books
Publication Date: October 6, 2015
Source: Viking Books

Description: 

With more than two million copies of her novels sold, New York Times bestselling author Geraldine Brooks has achieved both popular and critical acclaim. Now, Brooks takes on one of literature’s richest and most enigmatic figures: a man who shimmers between history and legend. Peeling away the myth to bring David to life in Second Iron Age Israel, Brooks traces the arc of his journey from obscurity to fame, from shepherd to soldier, from hero to traitor, from beloved king to murderous despot and into his remorseful and diminished dotage. 

The Secret Chord provides new context for some of the best-known episodes of David’s life while also focusing on others, even more remarkable and emotionally intense, that have been neglected. We see David through the eyes of those who love him or fear him from the prophet Natan, voice of his conscience, to his wives Mikal, Avigail, and Batsheva, and finally to Solomon, the late-born son who redeems his Lear-like old age. Brooks has an uncanny ability to hear and transform characters from history, and this beautifully written, unvarnished saga of faith, desire, family, ambition, betrayal, and power will enthrall her many fans.

My Thoughts: 

Even those of us (me!) that don’t have a strong biblical or religious background know of King David. If you don’t know details of his life you at least know that he killed the giant Goliath with a well timed rock from his slingshot. 

See? Bet you knew this part

You might even know that he sired the wise King Solomon or that he played the harp so beautifully that he made men weep. If you’re like me that’s where your knowledge stops.* Thanks to Brooks I have a whole new appreciation for the life and times of David. 

Brooks, as per usual, has a way of blowing life into history. As usual, she makes a person feel as if they are living among the characters she’s writing about. The writing in The Secret Chord is every bit as lush and alive as it was in Year of Wonders and March. 

It could be argued that this book doesn’t quite meet the level of her previous work, but if that’s true it’s only barely true. The only small issue that I had with the book was that Brooks uses Hebrew names which can be slightly confusing. (e.g. Shlomo for Solomon) 

The Secret Chord is filled with brutality and beauty. I highly recommend it to anyone with a fondness for an exquisitely told legend. 



*Further reading: The First Historical Evidence of King David from the Bible