La città dei libri proibiti

by Tom Harper, Annalisa Biasci (Translator)

Tra la New York di oggi e la Strasburgo del 1400 si giocano i destini di due uomini e dell'intera umanità. Nick Ash lavora per l'FBI e ha appena ricevuto un'email dalla sua ex fidanzata, Gillian, che contiene una strana carta da gioco medievale e un'urgente richiesta: "Aiutami, stanno arrivando". Quando Nick cerca di rintracciarla si accorge che la donna è scomparsa, ed è stata vista per l'ultima volta in un piccolo paese tra le montagne tedesche. Non gli resta altro che partire. Volerà in Europa per trovarla, ma durante la ricerca dovrà fare i conti con la storia di un uomo leggendario, Gutenberg, e con un mistero vecchio seicento anni: un segreto che qualcuno sta cercando di preservare, anche a costo di uccidere. Nick seguirà le tracce di un antico manoscritto, cercando di ricostruire, di città in città, un puzzle che si fa sempre più complesso; perché i pezzi di questa storia sono stati celati per troppi secoli. Gillian è la chiave, salvarla è l'unica possibilità per uscirne vivi.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Historical, Adventure, Mystery Thriller

467 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Tom Harper was born in West Germany in 1977 and grew up in Germany, Belgium and America; he now lives in England. He is chair of the Crime Writers' Association and also a member of the Historical Novels Society and the Society of Authors.

Tom Harper also writes historical adventures as Edwin Thomas.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[C Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was recommended to me by a friend with good reading taste, and since I was looking for something in the lines of historical fiction and suspense, "The Book of Secrets" was right up my alley.

This was the first novel I read from Tom Harper, and I was really impressed by his writing style. It was very coherent and fast-paced, I didn't expect it to have two stories though. The present-day story about Nick following Gillian's tracks and a first-person narration/confession by Johann (whom we would later know as the famous Johann Gutenberg), were written parallel with each other and they slowly merged as the events unfolded.

At first I was disoriented when I read the first chapter about the confessions and of course although I know that it must have some relation to the main story, it was a long time coming before I realized its importance. The short chapters make it easy to follow, the author always leaves a cliffhanger at the end of the chapters to keep one hooked. The stories never dragged, they just made you ask a lot of questions. What was it that Gillian found that's worth killing a lot of lives for? Why was it secret? Was Gillian still alive? What's the big deal anyway? All of those were answered of course, and it ended in Johann's story.

I liked how the author's imagination ran wild with filling in the gaps about Johann's life. He really built a solid character who's corrupt even in the beginning and somehow found redemption by freeing himself of his obsession. He really had it hard growing up, finding a passion for being a goldsmith, perfecting the craft and somewhere along the way he needed to run and start a new life. He did this a lot of times until it didn't do him good, the end was unexpected and a little open-ended but it gave a light feeling.

Now, about Nick and Emily's traversing Europe, that's the part where I really couldn't put the book down. The author's angle is about the book, and although it involved the Church, it's not something scandalous as Jesus having married Mary Magdalene, but then again there's a religious figure ordering the deaths of many. I felt their anxiety every time they get closer to the target, someone was also targeting them in mysterious ways. I also liked the "Gothic Lair" episodes.

The suspense was flawless, the book absorbed me into its world and I felt like an observer whenever they found something significant. Since this is not a love story, there were only hints about Nick and Emily, but I appreciated the romantic angle, it was inevitable. They would have to be unfeeling not to seek each other out at times like those.

I was really in tune with them that when Nick realized he's not so eager to get back with Gillian when he sees her, that I started to hate her, and for a good reason too. I don't want to spoil anything for the potential readers. For some who're just looking for a quick read, this is not for you. It's a comprehensive historical fiction based on some facts, the imagery was excellent, the author's descriptions of the places and the process of early printing was laudable. I'm looking forward to reading his other works.

[Terence M [on a brief semi-hiatus] · Rating 1 out of 5]

Audio Book - One star out of five - DNF - I didn't like it, nor did I finish it.
I should have known better because I do not like books like The Da Vinci Code and it's ilk. The problem was I didn't read a preview of The Book of Secrets before downloading it from my library - I guess I must have been fooled by the title, but then again, even the title ... never mind, a DNF it is!

Audio Book - 17 hours 6 minutes - 14 discs.
My second attempt because of exhortations by my older daughter. This time I tried harder and completed 6 discs but this book is simply not for me! Sorry Cate. :-(

[Chanel · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I read the back cover of this book I was so intrigued I just had to read it! I was so excited, that I left the book I was busy with, to start this one.
When it comes to historical events and people, I tend to prefer stories that stay true to the facts and do not deviate in order to create sensation. The Book of Secrets is based on the history of the first printing press, invented by Gutenberg in the 1400's. Because so little is known about Gutenberg's life, the author accepted the challenge of creating a life story for Gutenberg that eventually leads to the creation of his masterpiece, The Gutenberg Bible.
The book is divided into two segments, one set in the present and one in the past. As Nick and Emily try to unravel the mystery of Gillian and what she found before she was kidnapped, in the present, Gutenberg struggles to create the perfect printing system and repay his debt during the fifteenth century.

This book made me look differently at the printed word. The struggles Gutenberg faced, even though it is supposed to be the authors interpretation, seems to be most likely, considering the time of Gutenberg's life.

[Kim Hood · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoyed the Da Vinci Code you will enjoy this.

[Zete · Rating 4 out of 5]

Πολύ ωραίο και καλογραμμένο. Κρίμα τέτοια βιβλία να σου αφήνουν αναπάντητα, ως συνήθως, ερωτήματα! Το διάβασα μονοκοπανιάς! Δε μπορούσα να το αφήσω κάτω!

[Márta Péterffy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jó téma alapján, gyenge regény. Tom Harper kutatott Johann Gutenberg életéről, próbát összeszedni sok mindent, amit a könyv írásakor lehetett.
A XV. század korrajza elég jól sikerült, érdekes-bár néha nehéz is-követni hogyan fejlesztette, alakította Gutenberg és néhány társa, a betűk készítését, a papírral és egyebekkel való kísérleteket, hogyan született meg a mai nyomda őse. A szerző jelzi a végén, hogy sok a fikció, valóban alig tudunk valamit ma is a mester életéről, de úgy érzem ennek a különleges embernek a bemutatása kissé gyatrán sikeredett.
Párhuzamosan fut a mai korban játszódó történet, bár ez is kb. 20 évvel ezelőtti időszakban játszódik, érdekesen indult ez a rész is, aztán szinte unalomba fulladt. Túl hosszú, és elég érdektelen szereplők,
bonyolult helyzetekben, a legvége tartogat némi izgalmat, de nekem összességében nem tetszett az egész.

[Noor ul Ain · Rating 1 out of 5]

A very confused and poorly written thriller. I really like reading about history mixed in with a little action, but this book was really hard to finish.

[Alma (retirement at last) · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF
What a rambling storyline that I just could not get into
Very repetitive in places and far too long and dragged out.
Not for me

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Το βιβλίο έχει ιδιαίτερο ενδιαφέρον, καθώς εκτυλίσσεται παράλληλα στο σήμερα και στη Γερμανία του 15ου αιώνα, με βασικό πρωταγωνιστή τον Ιωάννη Γουτεμβέργιο (Johannes Gensfleisch zur Laden zum Gutenberg).

[AlexNms · Rating 4 out of 5]

Η συντροφιά μου την τρίτη εβδομάδα των διακοπών μου στο χωριό ή αλλιώς "Το Βιβλίο Των Μυστικών". Ένα μυθιστόρημα το οποίο διαδραματίζεται σε δύο διαφορετικές χρονικές περιόδους. Η πρώτη είναι το 1412-1455 και αφορά την ζωή του Γουτεμβέργιου η οποία φυσικά αποτελεί κατά κύριο λόγο αποκύημα της φαντασίας του συγγραφέα καθώς υπάρχουν ελάχιστα στοιχεία για την αληθινή ζωή αυτού του σημαντικού για την ιστορία ανθρώπου. Η δεύτερη είναι το παρόν, όπου η Τζίλιαν, εκτιμητής περιουσίας εξαφανίζεται από προσώπου γης λίγο πριν ανακαλύψει ένα σημαντικό μυστικό. Πριν εξαφανιστεί, ωστόσο, αφήνει στον Νικ, τον πρώην σύντροφό της ένα μυστηριώδες μήνυμα με την φωτογραφία ενός τραπουλόχαρτου. Ο Νικ Ας ως ερευνητής για το FBI της Νέας Υόρκης, αναλαμβάνει την υπόθεση αποφασισμένος να βρει την Τζίλιαν. Κάποια στιγμή ωστόσο, βρίσκεται μπλεγμένος μαζί με την Έμιλι, μια αρχαιολόγο στα προβλήματα και κυνηγημένος σε χώρες της Βόρειας Ευρώπης.
Το συγκεκριμένο μυθιστόρημα ήταν πολύ ευκολοδιάβαστο. Απόλαυσα πολύ να το διαβάζω καθώς λατρεύω τέτοιου είδους βιβλία. Αυτό που δεν μου άρεσε στην αρχή αλλά τελικά συνήθισα ήταν η μεταλλαγή των χρόνων. Χάρη στην συγγραφική ικανότητα του συγγραφέα κι οι δύο ιστορίες ήταν εξίσου ενδιαφέρουσες.
Επιπρόσθετα, μου άρεσε το γεγονός πως παρόλο που ο Νικ είναι ερευνητής του FBI, εμφανίζεται ως ένας φυσιολογικός άνθρωπος που φοβάται, αγχώνεται και παθαίνει κρίσεις σε ανάλογες περιπτώσεις. Ο Νικ δεν ήταν το συνηθισμένο πρόσωπο του πράκτορα που τους σώζει όλους. Ήταν όμως ευρηματικός, πολύ έξυπνος κι αυτές ήταν οι ικανότητες που μπόρεσαν να του εξασφαλίσουν την σωτηρία.
Κατά την άποψή μου, "Το Βιβλίο Των Μυστικών" δεν ήταν πολύ εντυπωσιακό βιβλίο αλλά ούτε και βαρετό. Διαβάζεται από τον καθένα αφού όπως ανέφερα έχει ένα ενδιαφέρον.

[Neera · Rating 3 out of 5]

Il libro è diviso in due storie che, man mano che il racconto va avanti, si intrecciano e trovano spiegazione l'una con l'altra. Una è la Strasburgo (e più in generale la Germania) del 1400, l'altra è l'età dei nostri giorni. Le due storie vengono alternate per capitoli e, mentre all'inizio sono due trame distanti che non trovano incontro, con l'andare avanti del testo trovano molte similitudini, tanto da far coincidere le stesse battute, dette, ovviamente, da personaggi diversi. C'è poco da dire, il testo è scritto molto bene, ma questa dicotomia persiste anche nel mio giudizio: quanto mi è piaciuta la parte storica non mi è piaciuta la parte contemporanea. La parte storica non è né un giallo, né un thriller, ma serve a spiegare tutto quello che è successo all'epoca e che ha provocato i fatti che avvengono nei nostri giorni. è scritta benissimo e Gutemberg è un personaggio davvero interessante, anche se la sua storia, come è ovvio, è stata romanzata. La parte contemporanea l'ho trovata invece obsoleta, il tipico racconto alla Dan Brown che non ha nulla da dire, se non intrattetenere per un po' il lettore, tra l'altro con finale deludente.

[Paola Garcia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like this book but reading it was such a drag.

My heart goes to Johannes Gutenberg. He paved the way for book printing. But he never really got to see that dream fully realized. :(

Writing books before requires a scribe who writes down what is dictated to him or her. It was cute. (for me. :p)

I like Gutenberg's story better than that of the main character, Nick. Nick is just so..mediocre. You don't get to love him. JG is so raw. so real.

[Blue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Difficult to put down, a fast-moving adventure set in the present is set against a gradually unfolding historical drama which is exciting in its own right.

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of fun, a great plot that kept on moving. Highly enjoyable.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pas na 100 paginas zat ik er lekker in. Het verhaal nam de tijd om op te bouwen, maar heeft daardoor een langzaam en uitgerekt tempo. Zoals ik bij veel boeken over de 400 paginas denk, het had korter gekund terwijl je hetzelfde verhaal vertelt.

Elk nieuw hoofdstuk moet ik even nadenken en terughalen wiens tijdlijn het is, waardoor ik dingen door elkaar haal.
Ook worden er veel dingen door elkaar aangegeven zoals een kaartspel, de steen der wijzen en een boek, die na 150 paginas geen verband lijken te hebben. Het is allemaal nogal rommelig. Op een gegeven moment lopen de tijdlijnen zelfs in 1 hoofdstuk door elkaar. En ja, dat komt omdat het vergelijkbare situaties zijn en poogt dramatisch effect te creeeren, maar dat maakt het nog lastiger om het allemaal te volgen.

En dan heb ik het nog niet eens over alle namen die voorbij komen die ik al lang weer vergeten ben wanneer ze nogmaals voorbij komen. En ik blijf denken "het wordt nog wel spannend, er gaat straks vast echt iets gebeuren ... oh ik zit al op pagina 350 van de 500, tja nu moet ik het ook maar uitlezen". Geen fijne leeservaring.

Het enige wat dit boek me heeft geboden is een ontzag voor de gutenbergbijbel. En het heeft me nog eens bewust gemaakt dat alle grote uitvindingen niet door 1 persoon, maar door een samenwerking en samenloop van omstandigheden tot stand komt.

[Bruce Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in the present and in the 15th century, the novel bounces back and forth between a modern high stakes chase and the story of Johan Gutenberg.

Nick is following clues to find his missing ex-girlfriend, Gillian. She sent him a cryptic text right before she dropped off the grid. Nick follows the clues from New York's Cloysters, Paris, Brussels, Lausanne, and Mainz. He is constantly chased by dangerous characters with ties to the Catholic Church.

Johan starts in Mainz, the city of his birth, as a goldsmith's apprentice. Then he travels to Lausanne to become a scribe. He dreams of a method to press perfect copies of text but his metallurgy is inferior to the job. He obtains investors, a goldsmith with better skill to his, an illuminator, a carpenter to build a press, and assistants. His story almost ends in obscurity.

An interesting read with attractive characters. I enjoyed learning about Gutenberg and the probable invention of the first printing press. As well as learning about Medieval Mainz and Lausanne.

[Bagapi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Il romanzo si divide in due racconti che si intrecciano alternandosi continuamente, uno di ambientazione storica e uno contemporanea. È scritto molto bene e potrebbe prestarsi benissimo per un'opera cinematografica (mi stupisce che non l'abbiano già fatto). Quello che mi lascia perplessa forse è il ritmo e la lunghezza del libro rapportata al contenuto, la parte storica è molto interessante, mi ha incuriosito e spinta ad approfondire la vita di Gutenberg e della misteriosa figura del maestro delle carte da gioco, quella contemporanea meno, sembra non finire mai, una serie di colpi di scena e avvenimenti improbabili, che portano ad un finale deludente. Il fatto che si salti da un periodo all'altro aiuta a rendendere piu vivace la lettura, che altrimenti sarebbe stata un po' pesante.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

The Book of Secrets by Tom Harper is an engrossing story full of history, mystery, adventure, action, drama, tension, suspense, intriguing characters, secrets, high stakes, gripping developments, and so much more.
Nick Ash is an FBI researcher who will need to keep his wits about him when he gets thrust into a 500-year-old mystery. What ensues makes for an intriguing read.
This was quite a gripping story- and as I have mention before, Mr. Harper has a knack for very vivid and 'visual' storytelling. His words come to life before your eyes, drawing you into all the action and holding you tightly in its grasp, right through till the very end.
Happy Reading.

Thank you, Tom Harper!

[Katerina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Μια ιστορία σε δύο παράλληλες εποχές. Ενδιαφέρον τέχνασμα να παρακολουθούμε την εξέλιξη της ιστορίας τόσο από την εποχή του Γουτεμβέργιου, όσο και στην σύγχρονη εποχή. Ο συνδετικός κρίκος ένα βιβλίο, ίσως το πρώτο με έντυπες εικόνες. Μια θεωρία συνωμοσίας, η εμπλοκή της καθολικής εκκλησίας και άνθρωποι που δρουν ως μαφία συνθέτουν ένα συνονθύλευμα που καταλήγει σε μια ιστορία μυστηρίου. Εύκολο ανάγνωσμα αλλά τίποτα το ιδιαίτερο.

[Miles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book, always admited Tom hrper's writing and this was no different. Book went on 50 pages longer than I thought that would have made it 5/5 but I really enjoyed the read and how the author tied everything together. He took a couple of liabilities with the story but hey, if it works it works!!

[Teresa Westwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have tried To read this more than once. The last time I bought it from the bookshelf I decided I was going to finish it! The start is very good, but jumping from era to ear it gets boring. The ending has a few unexpected twists but not enough to give satisfaction. I almost feel this would have been better as two separate books

[Heather Macgregor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book hard going, due to flitting back and forth between the 2 stories. Although the chapters were fairly short which made it easier to keep up with both stories. Overall a good book based on a true story. I would probably have enjoyed it more if I had been able to read it quicker without losing the thread.
If you like historical fiction then I recommend this book.

[Nick · Rating 1 out of 5]

Builds up suspense all the way through just to be let down at the end like a leaky balloon. It just doesn’t really go anywhere. No twist, no ah ha moment. Felt disappointed with the read compared to the book description

[Alice Esguerra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting how Johanne Guttenberg was given life in this action packed, suspense and sometimes absurd plot of a story that interwove the medieval and the contemporary. Nevertheless, it is entertaining and quite worth the read.

[Mary Ellen Barringer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I want to preface my comments noting that I no longer enjoy this type of International thriller. I found the plot to be unrealistic, the characters flat and struggled through the section written in the first person. Too violent, but the author does have an imagination.

[Andrea Králová]

Story about Guttenberg, his life and his way to inviting press. The other line is how Nick and a friend Emily are trying find their lost friend Gillian, who somehow is starting to find bibliotheca diabolic and first book from Guttdnberg

[Phil Ashton · Rating 1 out of 5]

A great story totally spoilt by tedious writing.
I have just listened to the audio book version read by a very inappropriate accented reader. No attempt at character accents and one second barely audible then next second blasting my speakers.
So very disappointed.

[Ruaan van Zyl · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF: While this book has potential the writing is just of such a nature that I cannot get myself to continue reading. The writing style is very long winded and at times it feels like words were added to add volume and not add context or value to the storyline.

[Emma Bayliss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t expect to like this as much as I did. Not my usual style but I was bored and wanted a change. It took a while to get into but I found both stories within the book gripping, and the parallels between the two coming together was genius.

[Katarzyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascynująca, wciągająca historia! Nie mogłam się oderwać. Akcja rozkręca się już od pierwszych stron. Ciekawe zakończenie. To druga moja książka tego autora. Polecam fanom książek historycznych z wątkiem kryminalnym.