The Secret Chord by Geraldine Brooks
Found on the Adult Fiction shelves at BROOKS
Thank goodness Geraldine has redeemed herself after Caleb’s Crossing (in my opinion anyway).
A fictionalised account of the historical figure of King David of Israel it would be hard to make the story boring. Violence, incest, betrayal, lust, adultery, the voice of god: what doesn’t this story have?
Told from the perspective of the prophet Nathan who asks the King’s permission to write an account of his life this book had me hooked.
In true Brooks fashion much of the story is told by the women closest to David, offering an alternative perspective on a story usually dominated by men.
Named after a lyric from Leonard Cohen’s song Hallelujah, Brooks – like Cohen’s song – captures a man who is both incredibly flawed, making horrible decisions with dreadful consequences, and yet tender, earnest and loved.
Skip over the gore and enjoy the writing and narrative.
Score: 4/5
Reviewed by: Katherine
Readers in the Mist 