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Gutenberg’s Apprentice – Alix Christie
3.5***

In her debut novel, Christie explores one of the most momentous events in history: the invention of the printing press. The author used the real people involved, researching historical documents to support way she imagined the scenario unfolding.

I generally like novels such as this one, but for some reason I had a very hard time getting engaged in this work. It took me nearly two weeks to read it, about double the amount of time I usually need for a 400-page book. I did find the information about the conflicts between the guilds, the ruling class, and the Church interesting, but it went on for so long that I grew tired of the political and personal intrigue, and by the time the climax came I didn’t much care what would happen to the relationships between the three central figures: Gutenberg, Fust, and Peter.

I have always read the notation at the end of print books, telling me what type face was used for that edition. That information holds new meaning for me now, as I imagine the original artist carefully carving the alphabet in a new design. In this age of digital print, it is all the more wonderful to imagine the creativity, skill and hard work that went into this marvelous invention.


LINK to my review

Too bad it drags on so long, because I have long been interested in the invention of the printing press.

Just got home from book club meeting on this book. Everyone else in the club REALLY liked it , although several commented that it was a "slow read."

Book Concierge wrote: "Just got home from book club meeting on this book. Everyone else in the club REALLY liked it , although several commented that it was a "slow read.""

Interesting. I would have to be in the right mood for a slow read.