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Emily Weiss #1
Η χαμένη βιβλιοθήκη
...Ο Άρνο Χόλμστραντ πρόκειται να πεθάνει. Το νήμα της ζωής του θα κοπεί πρόωρα από μια οργάνωση που έχει ως απώτερο στόχο να μάθει τα μυστικά που εκείνος προστατεύει εδώ και πολλά χρόνια: την τοποθεσία της χαμένης Βιβλιοθήκης της Αλεξάνδρειας και την τεράστια γνώση που κρύβει επί αιώνες.
...Η Έμιλι Ουές θα δει τη ζωή της να αλλάζει δραματικά. Τη μια στιγμή είναι καθηγήτρια Ιστορίας και την άλλη βρίσκεται να ταξιδεύει στις τέσσερις γωνιές του πλανήτη, αποκρυπτογραφώντας αλλόκοτα στοιχεία που της έχει αφήσει ο μέντοράς της. Είναι προφανές ότι την προετοιμάζει, αλλά για τι;
...Οι δολοφόνοι του Συμβουλίου διψούν για εξουσία και δύναμη. Η διαφθορά τους εκτείνεται έως τα ανώτατα κυβερνητικά κλιμάκια και διαθέτουν στρατιές από πληρωμένους εκτελεστές που αναλαμβάνουν και υλοποιούν τα εγκλήματά τους. Σκοτώνουν για την αρχαία γνώση που περιέχει η Βιβλιοθήκη -και η Έμιλι Ουές έχει ακριβώς αυτό που θέλουν...
...Η Έμιλι Ουές θα δει τη ζωή της να αλλάζει δραματικά. Τη μια στιγμή είναι καθηγήτρια Ιστορίας και την άλλη βρίσκεται να ταξιδεύει στις τέσσερις γωνιές του πλανήτη, αποκρυπτογραφώντας αλλόκοτα στοιχεία που της έχει αφήσει ο μέντοράς της. Είναι προφανές ότι την προετοιμάζει, αλλά για τι;
...Οι δολοφόνοι του Συμβουλίου διψούν για εξουσία και δύναμη. Η διαφθορά τους εκτείνεται έως τα ανώτατα κυβερνητικά κλιμάκια και διαθέτουν στρατιές από πληρωμένους εκτελεστές που αναλαμβάνουν και υλοποιούν τα εγκλήματά τους. Σκοτώνουν για την αρχαία γνώση που περιέχει η Βιβλιοθήκη -και η Έμιλι Ουές έχει ακριβώς αυτό που θέλουν...
530 pages, Paperback
First published August 16, 2012
71 people are currently reading
1305 people want to read
About the author
A.M. Dean
2 books441 followers
“I reckon Dan Brown must see Dean in his rear-view mirror..." (Peterborough Evening Telegraph)
A.M. Dean is new arrival into the thriller genre, whose first books have been runaway hits, translated into multiple languages and selling in over thirteen territories around the globe. A leading authority on ancient cultures and the history of religious belief, Dean's expertise in late antiquity has earned him posts at some of the world’s most prestigious universities. An abiding interest in the human tendency toward conspiracies, together with a commanding grasp of the genuinely mysterious contexts of real history, inspire the breadth and focus of his creative works.
Dean's highly-anticipated latest novel, THE KEYSTONE, was just released on August 2013, bringing the realm of Gnostic mystery into the world of modern conspiracies and deadly cults. Grab your copy today (paperback or Kindle)!
His bestselling debut novel, THE LOST LIBRARY, hit the shelves on 16 July 2012 as a major-launch title with Pan Macmillan, climbing into the top 10 and available in over 16 territories and languages across the globe.
Follow A.M. Dean on Twitter (where is he is very active), and like the official A.M. Dean Author Page on Facebook for even more contact and interaction.
A.M. Dean is represented internationally by LBA.
Dean's highly-anticipated latest novel, THE KEYSTONE, was just released on August 2013, bringing the realm of Gnostic mystery into the world of modern conspiracies and deadly cults. Grab your copy today (paperback or Kindle)!
His bestselling debut novel, THE LOST LIBRARY, hit the shelves on 16 July 2012 as a major-launch title with Pan Macmillan, climbing into the top 10 and available in over 16 territories and languages across the globe.
Follow A.M. Dean on Twitter (where is he is very active), and like the official A.M. Dean Author Page on Facebook for even more contact and interaction.
A.M. Dean is represented internationally by LBA.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 218 reviews
February 25, 2018
Ειναι ένα αρκετά ενδιαφέρον βιβλίο με πολλές ιστορικές, πολιτικές,επιστημονικές και πολιτισμικές αναφορές.
Ασχολείται εξ ολοκλήρου με την ύπαρξη και τη διαφύλαξη των πνευματικών θησαυρών που βρίσκονται στην βιβλιοθήκη της Αλεξανδρειας.
Μέσα από μια αρκετά περιπετειώδη ιστορία ανάμεσα σε αιώνιους εχθρούς συνομωσίας και συγκάλυψης μας ταξιδεύει σε πολλές ηπείρους και μας ταυτίζει με το μέρος της ειλικρίνειας και της δύναμης της γνώσης και του πνεύματος.
Βιβλιοθηκαριοι και φύλακες της παντογνωσίας αντιμέτωποι για αιώνες ολόκληρους με αδίστακτους κυνηγούς χειραγώγησης και παντοδυναμίας.
Εξαίρετοι καθηγητές και λαμπροί επιστήμονες αντιμέτωποι με αδίστακτους πολιτικούς ηγέτες και βρόμικα παιχνίδια διαπλοκής.
Ολα εξελίσσονται σταδιακά και η αγωνία καθώς και η περιέργεια απογειώνουν τον αναγνώστη σε αυτό το κυνήγι για την προστασία μιας παγκόσμιας πνευματικής κληρονομιάς.
Όμως φτάνοντας προς το τέλος όλο το μυστήριο και το δέος που υπάρχει απλά και με συνοπτικές διαδικασίες απλοποιείται σε σημείο απογοητευτικό.
Με λίγα λογάκια και για να ξεκαθαρίσω τα *** αστέρια της βαθμολογίας που επέλεξα,θα ήθελα η σπουδαία, μοναδική και ανεπανάληπτη αξία της βιβλιοθήκης της Αλεξάνδρειας - μυστηριωδώς εξαφανισμένης ως ιστορικό στοιχείο- να μην εξομοιωθεί με την έννοια της παγκοσμιοποίησης.
📚📚📚🅱️Ι🅱️ΛΙ0️⃣ΘΗΚΗ ✔️
Καλή ανάγνωση!
Πολλούς ασπασμούς.
Ασχολείται εξ ολοκλήρου με την ύπαρξη και τη διαφύλαξη των πνευματικών θησαυρών που βρίσκονται στην βιβλιοθήκη της Αλεξανδρειας.
Μέσα από μια αρκετά περιπετειώδη ιστορία ανάμεσα σε αιώνιους εχθρούς συνομωσίας και συγκάλυψης μας ταξιδεύει σε πολλές ηπείρους και μας ταυτίζει με το μέρος της ειλικρίνειας και της δύναμης της γνώσης και του πνεύματος.
Βιβλιοθηκαριοι και φύλακες της παντογνωσίας αντιμέτωποι για αιώνες ολόκληρους με αδίστακτους κυνηγούς χειραγώγησης και παντοδυναμίας.
Εξαίρετοι καθηγητές και λαμπροί επιστήμονες αντιμέτωποι με αδίστακτους πολιτικούς ηγέτες και βρόμικα παιχνίδια διαπλοκής.
Ολα εξελίσσονται σταδιακά και η αγωνία καθώς και η περιέργεια απογειώνουν τον αναγνώστη σε αυτό το κυνήγι για την προστασία μιας παγκόσμιας πνευματικής κληρονομιάς.
Όμως φτάνοντας προς το τέλος όλο το μυστήριο και το δέος που υπάρχει απλά και με συνοπτικές διαδικασίες απλοποιείται σε σημείο απογοητευτικό.
Με λίγα λογάκια και για να ξεκαθαρίσω τα *** αστέρια της βαθμολογίας που επέλεξα,θα ήθελα η σπουδαία, μοναδική και ανεπανάληπτη αξία της βιβλιοθήκης της Αλεξάνδρειας - μυστηριωδώς εξαφανισμένης ως ιστορικό στοιχείο- να μην εξομοιωθεί με την έννοια της παγκοσμιοποίησης.
📚📚📚🅱️Ι🅱️ΛΙ0️⃣ΘΗΚΗ ✔️
Καλή ανάγνωση!
Πολλούς ασπασμούς.
November 30, 2012
This genre (global thrillers, with conspiracy twists) is something you either love or hate....look at the responses to Dan Brown, Baldacci, on and on. No surprise some reviewers love this book, and some want to rant about it. But if you're a fan of the genre then this is one of the best examples of it to be published this year. The action is fast, yet somehow still haunting and pensive. There are twists and turns everywhere....some of them are obvious, but some are definitely not, and like you want in a book like this, you get to know the characters along the way, mostly through their actions and dialogue instead of long passages dedicated to their development. They're great characters, too. A great female lead, and some sinister enemies. Its got a great pace, a nice mix of the ancient and the modern, and the historical info is woven in in a great way. And if you are fond of rich, lush locations, it's got them everywhere.
I'll say it again: this genre isn't for everyone, and this book doesn't pretend to be The Great Gatsby or Ayn Rand. But it doesn't have to pretend to be one of the best conspiracy suspense thrillers out there, because it is. And if this is A.M. Dean's first book, then I for one can't wait for the second......
I'll say it again: this genre isn't for everyone, and this book doesn't pretend to be The Great Gatsby or Ayn Rand. But it doesn't have to pretend to be one of the best conspiracy suspense thrillers out there, because it is. And if this is A.M. Dean's first book, then I for one can't wait for the second......
September 30, 2012
By A. M. Dean. Grade: A
A person whose only love is books, who dreams of fictional characters, and whose idea of heaven is an unending library, a book based upon some ancient long lost library that can destroy and save the whole world with the kind of knowledge it possesses, was an absolute treat. Coupled with the impressive cover and exciting back blurb, I couldn’t wait to get started with this book.
Knowledge is power and power can kill . . .
He was the keeper
Arno Holmstrand is about to die, his life cut short by an organization intent on taking all of his secrets about the one thing he has spent a lifetime guarding: the wherabouts and vast knowledge of the Library of Alexandria.
She will inherit his legacy
Emily Wess is about to have her life change beyond all recognition. One minute she is a professor of history, the next she is flying around the world deciphering clues left by her mentor Arno Holmstrand. Is she being tested?
They will kill for control
They are the Council and crave power and position. Their courruption spreads from the highest points of government to the assassins they hire to commit their crimes.They will kill for the ancient knowledge contained in the Library. And Emily Wess has exactly what they want.
Emily Wess has everything in her life: an interesting job, nice colleagues, close friends, an even closer-knit family, and a fiancee who happens to love her every much. Everything except adventure, something she has had a craving for since childhood but never got enough of. Unfortunately for her, she is a history professor, and adventures are hard to come by. However, one day this changes. One of her colleagues Arno Holmstrand, is found murdered. This murder leads Emily into the depths of an adventure which she had never even dreamt of.
The identity of the victim in itself is peculiar. Arno Holmstrand is a world renowned personality, known for his great achievements in history, and has immense knowledge and experience of the world around. A man who had hardly talked to his colleague Emily leaves her messages and codes to decipher in order to find the Library of Alexandria.
This Library of Alexandria was thought to have been founded under Ptolemy Philadelphius of Egypt, also called Ptolemy the Second, at a small scale to store scrolls. The Library gradually grew to contain a capacity of about 8 million copies. It stored enough information to destroy and save the world. Because of this, a lot of people keen on ruling the world stormed heaven and earth to look for it. Following its very well-developed instinct of self-preservation, the library vanished from the surface of the earth. Nobody knows what happened to it. This is the exact unsolved mystery Arno Holmstrand claims to know the answer of. Not only the information about what happened to it, but also the fact that the Library still exists and only he knows where it is. It is now up to Emily to leave everything behind for the quest to find the Library, before men with more things at stake than her do.
–
The plot is interesting and very well planned. The quest is difficult and long, but there are clues planted cleverly almost everywhere, something you spot only when you re-read the book. The characters are deftly etched and the exact details are provided.
Having said that,I couldn’t understand why Emily was chosen as the Keeper. She is a regular, mature, intelligent and sensible woman, but that’s it. Compared with the last Keeper Arno, Emily doesn’t even come close in terms of her affection or loyalty towards the Library. Arno, Athanasius and other members of the society are all ready to die or be tortured slowly before revealing a thing about the Library, but when faced with a gun Emily gladly spills the beans so that she could get back safely to her fiancee. Though her reasoning was understandable, her lack of loyalty towards the Library made me question fact about her being declared The Keeper.
Overall, this was a great effort by an author who has a potential for reaching higher. I’ll be looking for more books by you, Mr. Dean!
Originally reviewed at www.vaultofbooks.com
A person whose only love is books, who dreams of fictional characters, and whose idea of heaven is an unending library, a book based upon some ancient long lost library that can destroy and save the whole world with the kind of knowledge it possesses, was an absolute treat. Coupled with the impressive cover and exciting back blurb, I couldn’t wait to get started with this book.
Knowledge is power and power can kill . . .
He was the keeper
Arno Holmstrand is about to die, his life cut short by an organization intent on taking all of his secrets about the one thing he has spent a lifetime guarding: the wherabouts and vast knowledge of the Library of Alexandria.
She will inherit his legacy
Emily Wess is about to have her life change beyond all recognition. One minute she is a professor of history, the next she is flying around the world deciphering clues left by her mentor Arno Holmstrand. Is she being tested?
They will kill for control
They are the Council and crave power and position. Their courruption spreads from the highest points of government to the assassins they hire to commit their crimes.They will kill for the ancient knowledge contained in the Library. And Emily Wess has exactly what they want.
Emily Wess has everything in her life: an interesting job, nice colleagues, close friends, an even closer-knit family, and a fiancee who happens to love her every much. Everything except adventure, something she has had a craving for since childhood but never got enough of. Unfortunately for her, she is a history professor, and adventures are hard to come by. However, one day this changes. One of her colleagues Arno Holmstrand, is found murdered. This murder leads Emily into the depths of an adventure which she had never even dreamt of.
The identity of the victim in itself is peculiar. Arno Holmstrand is a world renowned personality, known for his great achievements in history, and has immense knowledge and experience of the world around. A man who had hardly talked to his colleague Emily leaves her messages and codes to decipher in order to find the Library of Alexandria.
This Library of Alexandria was thought to have been founded under Ptolemy Philadelphius of Egypt, also called Ptolemy the Second, at a small scale to store scrolls. The Library gradually grew to contain a capacity of about 8 million copies. It stored enough information to destroy and save the world. Because of this, a lot of people keen on ruling the world stormed heaven and earth to look for it. Following its very well-developed instinct of self-preservation, the library vanished from the surface of the earth. Nobody knows what happened to it. This is the exact unsolved mystery Arno Holmstrand claims to know the answer of. Not only the information about what happened to it, but also the fact that the Library still exists and only he knows where it is. It is now up to Emily to leave everything behind for the quest to find the Library, before men with more things at stake than her do.
–
The plot is interesting and very well planned. The quest is difficult and long, but there are clues planted cleverly almost everywhere, something you spot only when you re-read the book. The characters are deftly etched and the exact details are provided.
Having said that,I couldn’t understand why Emily was chosen as the Keeper. She is a regular, mature, intelligent and sensible woman, but that’s it. Compared with the last Keeper Arno, Emily doesn’t even come close in terms of her affection or loyalty towards the Library. Arno, Athanasius and other members of the society are all ready to die or be tortured slowly before revealing a thing about the Library, but when faced with a gun Emily gladly spills the beans so that she could get back safely to her fiancee. Though her reasoning was understandable, her lack of loyalty towards the Library made me question fact about her being declared The Keeper.
Overall, this was a great effort by an author who has a potential for reaching higher. I’ll be looking for more books by you, Mr. Dean!
Originally reviewed at www.vaultofbooks.com
April 21, 2013
A fun, enjoyable quick-read. Escapism but by no means very realistic. One woman out to save the world.. And suddenly the professionals start making mistakes. It remains a mystery to me how someone who just had the base of her head bashed in can unlock a handcuff with a hairpin.. Or why the old Librarian would stay alive JUST long enough for her to get back in time to catch his last words.. And how an upload of such vast nature can be completed in a few minutes..
July 10, 2024
Der kleine Bruder von Dan Brown: Ich hatte viel Spaß, die Geschichte und Hinweise zu verfolgen. Dahingehend hätte das Buch 4 Sterne verdient.
Aber wer Dan Brown gelesen hat, weiß, dass man eine solche Geschichte nochmal auf ein anderes Level heben kann. Emily findet die Hinweise sehr schnell und als Leser versteht man viele Hinweise schneller als sie - das ist etwas schade, ich hätte gerne mehr gerätselt oder eine Handlung verfolgt, die mir sogar etwas beibringen kann bzw Anlass zu eigener Recherche gibt. Das ist hier etwas oberflächlich gehalten. Zusätzlich ist die Protagonistin trotz ihrer übermächtigen Verfolger sehr vertrauensselig und naiv (und kommt damit durch), Gleiches gilt an manchen Stellen für ihre Verfolger. Das hätte man bestimmt noch etwas enger fassen können. Nichtsdestotrotz werden Fans von Dan Brown hier auch Freude haben.
Aber wer Dan Brown gelesen hat, weiß, dass man eine solche Geschichte nochmal auf ein anderes Level heben kann. Emily findet die Hinweise sehr schnell und als Leser versteht man viele Hinweise schneller als sie - das ist etwas schade, ich hätte gerne mehr gerätselt oder eine Handlung verfolgt, die mir sogar etwas beibringen kann bzw Anlass zu eigener Recherche gibt. Das ist hier etwas oberflächlich gehalten. Zusätzlich ist die Protagonistin trotz ihrer übermächtigen Verfolger sehr vertrauensselig und naiv (und kommt damit durch), Gleiches gilt an manchen Stellen für ihre Verfolger. Das hätte man bestimmt noch etwas enger fassen können. Nichtsdestotrotz werden Fans von Dan Brown hier auch Freude haben.
March 11, 2014
I gave up halfway through the book, something I have never done before. I normally really like these type of books and the story seemed very promising, but you know it's going to be a difficult read when you already dislike the main character after only a few pages.
Maybe it was because of the Dutch translation, but at times it felt like the sentences were a result of machine translation: grammatically correct but lacking any fluency.
What bothered me the most were the recaps by the main character. Yes, we know the professsor was murdered, he was murdered only a couple of pages ago, we still remember it! Yes, it turned your life upside down. We figured as much! Stop repeatedly telling us about it and move on! (Did I mention I REALLY didn't like the main character? :) )
It was a bit disappointing, because I really wanted to like this book. I notice that it gets a fair amount of positive reviews, but for me it just wasn't captivating enough.
Maybe it was because of the Dutch translation, but at times it felt like the sentences were a result of machine translation: grammatically correct but lacking any fluency.
What bothered me the most were the recaps by the main character. Yes, we know the professsor was murdered, he was murdered only a couple of pages ago, we still remember it! Yes, it turned your life upside down. We figured as much! Stop repeatedly telling us about it and move on! (Did I mention I REALLY didn't like the main character? :) )
It was a bit disappointing, because I really wanted to like this book. I notice that it gets a fair amount of positive reviews, but for me it just wasn't captivating enough.
June 17, 2022
4 sterren - Nederlandse paperback
Ik vind geheimen uit de oudheid, die niemand ooit ontrafelt, fascinerend. De oudheid/ geschiedenis heeft sowieso een aantrekkingskracht op mij. Ideaal thema voor een boek. Zeker als fictie met feiten zijn verweven.
Het boek begint vrij ingewikkeld met alleen functieaanduidingen zoals "hoeder", "assistent", "voorzitter", "vriend". Het duurt wel eventjes voor het begint te dagen hoe de functies ten opzicht van elkaar gedragen, welke naam achter elke functie hangt. Ook weet je niet of de personen met die functie het goed voorhebben of net niet.
Notitie boekje dus bij de hand, en Wikipedia, en speuren maar. Dit maakte het lezen nog aantrekkelijker.
Professor Emily Wess volgt de aanwijzingen die haar vermoorde collega voor haar achtergelaten heeft om de verborgen bibliotheek van Alexandrië te vinden. Deze aanwijzingen laten haar de wereld rond reizen, terwijl er achter elke hoek gevaar schuilt. Lekker nagelbijtend spannend.
En welke leesfanaat wil nu geen verborgen/verloren bibliotheek vinden?
Ik vind geheimen uit de oudheid, die niemand ooit ontrafelt, fascinerend. De oudheid/ geschiedenis heeft sowieso een aantrekkingskracht op mij. Ideaal thema voor een boek. Zeker als fictie met feiten zijn verweven.
Het boek begint vrij ingewikkeld met alleen functieaanduidingen zoals "hoeder", "assistent", "voorzitter", "vriend". Het duurt wel eventjes voor het begint te dagen hoe de functies ten opzicht van elkaar gedragen, welke naam achter elke functie hangt. Ook weet je niet of de personen met die functie het goed voorhebben of net niet.
Notitie boekje dus bij de hand, en Wikipedia, en speuren maar. Dit maakte het lezen nog aantrekkelijker.
Professor Emily Wess volgt de aanwijzingen die haar vermoorde collega voor haar achtergelaten heeft om de verborgen bibliotheek van Alexandrië te vinden. Deze aanwijzingen laten haar de wereld rond reizen, terwijl er achter elke hoek gevaar schuilt. Lekker nagelbijtend spannend.
En welke leesfanaat wil nu geen verborgen/verloren bibliotheek vinden?
March 26, 2014
Tendo como ponto de partida a Biblioteca Perdida de Alexandria, A.M.Dean conseguiu escrever um livro perfeito. Capítulos curtos, sempre com suspense entre eles e foi buscar um tema bastante interessante e que, ao longo dos séculos, tem criado sempre novas teorias. Será que a Biblioteca de Alexandria desapareceu mesmo? E onde poderá estar? Será que ardeu como foi sempre considerado? O seu desaparecimento continua a ser um dos grandes mistérios da antiguidade...
Quando o professor vedeta do departamento de História, Arno Holmstrand é assassinado no próprio gabinete, a sua ex-aluna, Emily Wess, apesar de lamentar a sua morte, nunca irá imaginar que terá de guardar um grande segredo.
Gosto de livros assim, que nos tragam conhecimento de uma forma leve, mas precisa. Livros que nos fazem querer descobrir novos lugares e vivenciar as aventuras da protagonista. Gosto de livros que me façam querer saber mais, investigar mais. E este é um deles.
Opinião completa: http://marcadordelivros.blogspot.pt/2...
Quando o professor vedeta do departamento de História, Arno Holmstrand é assassinado no próprio gabinete, a sua ex-aluna, Emily Wess, apesar de lamentar a sua morte, nunca irá imaginar que terá de guardar um grande segredo.
Gosto de livros assim, que nos tragam conhecimento de uma forma leve, mas precisa. Livros que nos fazem querer descobrir novos lugares e vivenciar as aventuras da protagonista. Gosto de livros que me façam querer saber mais, investigar mais. E este é um deles.
Opinião completa: http://marcadordelivros.blogspot.pt/2...
April 14, 2018
Que destino teve a antiga biblioteca de Alexandria? É em torno do mistério que envolve o seu desaparecimento que se desenrola a narrativa deste livro, repleto de História e de aventuras (um tanto fantasiosas - como é que a Dra. Wess poderia escapar ilesa de tanta perseguição e ameaças?!). Gostei do livro pelo tema e pela mensagem que transmite - o conhecimento é precioso, e por isso é importante preservá-lo; mas também confere poder a quem o possui, e esta é uma das questões mais interessantes do livro: um determinado conhecimento pode ser perigoso por si ou é a sua utilização que pode ser perigosa?
Em suma, recomendo este livro, que é de leitura fácil e agradável, por várias razões - faz-nos viajar a locais culturalmente marcantes (Oxford, Alexandria, Istambul), dando-nos a conhecer um pouco da sua história, e faz-nos refletir sobre o valor inestimável do conhecimento.
Em suma, recomendo este livro, que é de leitura fácil e agradável, por várias razões - faz-nos viajar a locais culturalmente marcantes (Oxford, Alexandria, Istambul), dando-nos a conhecer um pouco da sua história, e faz-nos refletir sobre o valor inestimável do conhecimento.
August 7, 2022
Een vlot weglezende mysteriethriller. De in reviews veel gemaakte vergelijking met de werken van Dan Brown kan ik helaas niet beoordelen, omdat ik (nog altijd) niets van Dan Brown heb gelezen. Maar ik vond het zeker een onderhoudend verhaal dat nergens de spanning verliest.
October 18, 2012
The book starts with the murder of a university professor in the US and the bombing of a church in Oxford, England. Emily Wess – a professor at the same university as the murder victim – is about to take a few days break with her boyfriend over Thanksgiving when her plans are abruptly changed by a letter from the dead man and a plane ticket to the UK.
This complex thriller involves a political plot in the US and the ancient library at Alexandria which may or may not have been destroyed in ancient times. Knowledge is power and Emily finds herself taking part in a race against time to stop it falling into the wrong hands and putting the whole world at risk. At first glance this might seem a typical thriller in the mould of Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code – and this is what it is in many ways. However it does have an intriguing mystery at its heart – the possibility that the original library at Alexandria may still exist and may not have been destroyed.
I liked Emily and I though she showed a great deal of sense in the way she pursued her quest. Some of the political plotters were very two dimensional and not that convincing. I felt the first one hundred and fifty pages were a little too melodramatic and it was too much like a formulaic thriller but after that the historical aspects took me over and I became totally absorbed in the story. The political plot failed to convince me but the book is worth reading for the background of the Library at Alexandria. If you like a mixture of ancient and modern then try this book.
This complex thriller involves a political plot in the US and the ancient library at Alexandria which may or may not have been destroyed in ancient times. Knowledge is power and Emily finds herself taking part in a race against time to stop it falling into the wrong hands and putting the whole world at risk. At first glance this might seem a typical thriller in the mould of Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code – and this is what it is in many ways. However it does have an intriguing mystery at its heart – the possibility that the original library at Alexandria may still exist and may not have been destroyed.
I liked Emily and I though she showed a great deal of sense in the way she pursued her quest. Some of the political plotters were very two dimensional and not that convincing. I felt the first one hundred and fifty pages were a little too melodramatic and it was too much like a formulaic thriller but after that the historical aspects took me over and I became totally absorbed in the story. The political plot failed to convince me but the book is worth reading for the background of the Library at Alexandria. If you like a mixture of ancient and modern then try this book.
November 26, 2020
Έχω διαβάσει αρκετά βιβλία με θεωρίες συνωμοσίας σχετικά με χαμένα αντικείμενα, ιστορικά ή μυθολογικά. Από το Άγιο Δισκοπότηρο μέχρι τον τάφο του Μ. Αλεξάνδρου. Και ναι, και τη Βιβλιοθήκη της Αλεξάνδρειας.
Το βιβλίο του A.M. Dean είναι μεν ενδιαφέρον -από την άποψη πως είναι καλογραμμένο και περιέχει πολλές ιστορικές αναφορές και περιγραφές για την Αλεξάνδρεια, την Κων/πολη και την Οξφόρδη, καθώς και για την ιστορία της βιβλιοθήκης και των περιεχομένων της αλλά και άλλων κτηρίων και μνημείων-, αλλά δεν προσφέρει ούτε κάτι καινούριο ούτε καμιά ιδιαίτερη συγκίνηση. Ό,τι δεν κατόρθωσαν οι "κακοί" του Συμβουλίου μέσα σε χιλιετίες, το κατόρθωσε μια καθηγήτρια πανεπιστημίου σε τέσσερις μέρες. Ταξιδεύοντας από το ένα μέρος στο άλλο καθαρά χάριν της πλοκής (και για να "μπολιαστεί" το κείμενο με τις άνωθεν πληροφορίες) κι όχι για κανέναν τρομερό λόγο. Ψεκάστε-σκουπίστε-τελειώσατε, με λίγα λόγια. Πιθανότατα περισσότερες σελίδες θα το έκαναν απλά βαρετό, αλλά και το ότι μπαίνουν τόσο εύκολα και κυρίως γρήγορα τα κομμάτια όλου του παζλ στη θέση τους το κάνει λιγότερο αληθοφανές. Επίσης, η ηρωίδα σηκώνει κυριολεκτικά στους ώμους της το όλο μυστήριο και το έργο της ανακάλυψης της βιβλιοθήκης και μου έλειψε η ενεργή εμπλοκή άλλων ηρώων στο πλευρό της. Κάτι, τέλος πάντων, ώστε να υπάρχει μια αλληλεπίδραση, μια επικοινωνία, κάτι...
Διαβάζεται ευχάριστα, ξεχνιέται γρήγορα. Υπάρχουν πολύ καλύτερα του είδους εκεί έξω. Είναι σίγουρα όμως ένα αξιοπρεπές ανάγνωσμα και γι' αυτό τα τρία αστεράκια.
Το βιβλίο του A.M. Dean είναι μεν ενδιαφέρον -από την άποψη πως είναι καλογραμμένο και περιέχει πολλές ιστορικές αναφορές και περιγραφές για την Αλεξάνδρεια, την Κων/πολη και την Οξφόρδη, καθώς και για την ιστορία της βιβλιοθήκης και των περιεχομένων της αλλά και άλλων κτηρίων και μνημείων-, αλλά δεν προσφέρει ούτε κάτι καινούριο ούτε καμιά ιδιαίτερη συγκίνηση. Ό,τι δεν κατόρθωσαν οι "κακοί" του Συμβουλίου μέσα σε χιλιετίες, το κατόρθωσε μια καθηγήτρια πανεπιστημίου σε τέσσερις μέρες. Ταξιδεύοντας από το ένα μέρος στο άλλο καθαρά χάριν της πλοκής (και για να "μπολιαστεί" το κείμενο με τις άνωθεν πληροφορίες) κι όχι για κανέναν τρομερό λόγο. Ψεκάστε-σκουπίστε-τελειώσατε, με λίγα λόγια. Πιθανότατα περισσότερες σελίδες θα το έκαναν απλά βαρετό, αλλά και το ότι μπαίνουν τόσο εύκολα και κυρίως γρήγορα τα κομμάτια όλου του παζλ στη θέση τους το κάνει λιγότερο αληθοφανές. Επίσης, η ηρωίδα σηκώνει κυριολεκτικά στους ώμους της το όλο μυστήριο και το έργο της ανακάλυψης της βιβλιοθήκης και μου έλειψε η ενεργή εμπλοκή άλλων ηρώων στο πλευρό της. Κάτι, τέλος πάντων, ώστε να υπάρχει μια αλληλεπίδραση, μια επικοινωνία, κάτι...
Διαβάζεται ευχάριστα, ξεχνιέται γρήγορα. Υπάρχουν πολύ καλύτερα του είδους εκεί έξω. Είναι σίγουρα όμως ένα αξιοπρεπές ανάγνωσμα και γι' αυτό τα τρία αστεράκια.
March 25, 2014
9 de 10*
Adoro uma história que não me deixa largar o livro! Um livro com capítulos pequenos, frenéticos e que deixam sempre em suspenso uma acção!
"O Bibliotecário" é exactamente assim. Escrito de uma forma muito interessante, com uma história baseada em factos reais que despertam muito o meu interesse: o desaparecimento da Biblioteca da Alexandria e todas as teorias por detrás desse desaparecimento
Comentário completo em:
http://abibliotecadajoao.blogspot.pt/...
http://abibliotecadajoao.blogspot.pt/...
Adoro uma história que não me deixa largar o livro! Um livro com capítulos pequenos, frenéticos e que deixam sempre em suspenso uma acção!
"O Bibliotecário" é exactamente assim. Escrito de uma forma muito interessante, com uma história baseada em factos reais que despertam muito o meu interesse: o desaparecimento da Biblioteca da Alexandria e todas as teorias por detrás desse desaparecimento
Comentário completo em:
http://abibliotecadajoao.blogspot.pt/...
http://abibliotecadajoao.blogspot.pt/...
January 22, 2013
A rather amateurish effort on a fascinating subject. His language is awkward and cumbersome. It took me several sittings before I could finish it.
October 20, 2019
Ich mag Schnitzeljagden.
Aber irgendwie.... Sprang der Funke nicht über
Aber irgendwie.... Sprang der Funke nicht über
February 19, 2021
I loved the suspense, the drama, the intellectual background,... Very well written!
February 26, 2024
Enorm spannende en intrigerende pageturner. Af en toe licht ongeloofwaardig, maar ik verwacht eigenlijk ook niet anders van dit genre. Wel de moeite waard.
July 4, 2020
Este é um bom livro de verão - uma obra leve que não exige muito de nós, que dá sempre vontade de virar a página e saber o que conta o capítulo seguinte. É um thriller com uma cadência cativante, que não deixa grandes margens para ficarmos entediados ou termos vontade de pousar o livro. Para os fascinados pela história do antigo Egipto deverá ser uma obra ainda mais entusiasmante, onde a verdade, a ficção e algumas teorias da conspiração se misturam num enredo que só por si já é atrativo. Nota-se uma preocupação do autor em contextualizar e precisar alguns pontos históricos, o que faz com que para além de mero entretenimento, possamos sair desta leitura mais ricos.
Ponto positivo a focar: o facto da personagem principal ser uma mulher que não se detém pelo medo do desconhecido e é levada pela vontade de conhecer mais. Pontos negativos: apesar de adorar a Emily, ela parece um bocadinho lerda inicialmente, não percebendo a dimensão do esquema em que se encontra e caindo em esparrelas básicas. Nota negativa também para a tradução: ao longo do livro há várias falhas - palavras não traduzidas, outras mal escritas, frases com uma formulação dúbia e pouco cuidado em alguns trechos, onde por exemplo se notava a repetição da mesma palavra numa só frase.
Fora isso, é um livro giro que bem entretém.
Ponto positivo a focar: o facto da personagem principal ser uma mulher que não se detém pelo medo do desconhecido e é levada pela vontade de conhecer mais. Pontos negativos: apesar de adorar a Emily, ela parece um bocadinho lerda inicialmente, não percebendo a dimensão do esquema em que se encontra e caindo em esparrelas básicas. Nota negativa também para a tradução: ao longo do livro há várias falhas - palavras não traduzidas, outras mal escritas, frases com uma formulação dúbia e pouco cuidado em alguns trechos, onde por exemplo se notava a repetição da mesma palavra numa só frase.
Fora isso, é um livro giro que bem entretém.
December 22, 2014
Gave it four stars for the history and the idea behind it, but really ought be a 3 as the 2nd half devolved into a type of Dan Brown thriller - never the less, not bad for a first book..
1 of 20 for $10 20/1014
1 of 20 for $10 20/1014
August 2, 2017
A Biblioteca de Alexandria é um tema interessante e o seu segredo neste livro foi bem explorado atualizando-a com o passar do tempo.
Contudo o desenrolar da história não é empolgante, havendo demasiada descrição histórica e pouca ação.
Contudo o desenrolar da história não é empolgante, havendo demasiada descrição histórica e pouca ação.
August 6, 2017
O Bibliotecário embrenha o leitor num thriller emocionante ao mesmo tempo que nos dá uma perspectiva diferente da História e das bibliotecas. Levando-nos através de cidades históricas, o autor mostra o passado trazido à vida para os dias que correm.
October 2, 2025
Das Buch war überraschend spannend, verworren (auf eine gute Art und Weise), voller interessanter Wendungen und Entwicklungen. Ich mochte auch die Charaktere. Der einzige "störende" Punkt ist, dass ich gerne die Geschichte etwas länger verfolgt hätte 🫣 um zu erfahren !
edit: es gibt Band 2 ! 😱
edit: es gibt Band 2 ! 😱
August 10, 2016
So cheap and cliched, but works for my bus/train rides.
June 3, 2016
Wat ik al vermoedde toen ik las "voor de liefhebbers van Dan Brown" het boek is inderdaad een soort van kopie van de Davinci Code. Desniettemin is het wel een goed geschreven en spannend verhaal.
April 18, 2020
I remember one of my teachers of the bachelor degree talking about how good this book was. So I was curious about it. I no longer remember if I bought it after or before that.
It has been in my bookshelf for so many years.
As I picked it up to read it, i notice the reference to Dan Brown fans in the cover, to me that's a bad thing. I read "Angels and Demons" and "the Da Vinci code" many years ago. I like the first one and then the second was more of the same. So to be it's not something I enjoy really reading. I read very few books like those, I can still count them with my hands it's not a genre I appreciate.
Moving forward, this is an easy read, the chapters and short and it's fluid.
As a librarian, the librarian of Alexandria is something that I find interesting.
Well, it was ok. Not my cup of tea.
It has been in my bookshelf for so many years.
As I picked it up to read it, i notice the reference to Dan Brown fans in the cover, to me that's a bad thing. I read "Angels and Demons" and "the Da Vinci code" many years ago. I like the first one and then the second was more of the same. So to be it's not something I enjoy really reading. I read very few books like those, I can still count them with my hands it's not a genre I appreciate.
Moving forward, this is an easy read, the chapters and short and it's fluid.
As a librarian, the librarian of Alexandria is something that I find interesting.
Well, it was ok. Not my cup of tea.
February 9, 2020
The premise and idea are really promising and appealing. We are here because we love books and we all feel sad when the Alexandria Lost library is mentioned. However, the book does not deliver well to the promise of the title and of the subject. There are parts that are amateurish and not thought well. others are plainly inaccurate: TA was never Turkish Airlines two letter code (it is TK) and they don't and didn't have direct flights from London to Cairo. Emily readily give away the library secret to the mentor, to the boyfriend, to the mentor's protegee - not the behavior one would expect from the hero, considering others died to keep the silence around it. In my view the plot gets watered down by Emily's actions as well as by mixing too many ingredients that distract from the main storyline. For example: the Beta and Eta signs were promising to play a big role but were linked to nothing in particular in the end. It defies reason on how easy Emily found the clue in a couch in Istanbul... likewise words to the "entry" to the library, while well linked to the Keeper's words (say 3 times), don't really convince as to how Emily got them right.
February 28, 2018
Aunque fue bastante entretenida, tiene muchas partes tontas, si bien es cierto que a la protagonista no estaba acostumbrada a esos temas de espionaje, la verdad es q desde un principio fue demasiado boca floja, habiendo muertos de por medio, eso se vio muy estúpido para una profesora de historia, se le debio dar un poco mas de credito....y al final un secreto de milenios, y ella lo saca al aire por que es mas lista que todos los demas!!!!, por Dios, no pudo ser mas decepcionante....
March 4, 2018
Spannend bis zum Schluss 👍
October 28, 2018
3.5 Stars
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