Totally agree with a PPs assessment of why Brooks is a disappointing novelist. I liked Year of Wonders maybe because she didn’t really have an agenda she was pushing! Agree about the 1-D characters advancing the plot.

Just finished and generally enjoyed. The 1800 was the most compelling. Modern was okay and I like the Smithsonian angle but the Jackson Pollock interlude felt forced. I do enjoy her themes of art connecting people across generations.

I really enjoyed People of the Book, but I'm interested in cultural conservation

Another one who enjoyed the nineteenth century part much more than the 20th century.
I am a huge Geraldine Brooks fan in general. I thought Year of Wonders, March, and Caleb’s Crossing were phenomenal books. I liked The Secret Chord, too, but couldn’t finish People of the Book.
Generally I don’t enjoy books that jump between contemporary time and a past time. I feel like one of the time perios always feels forced or flat.

Anonymous wrote:I got about 30% into the book and stopped. I wanted to love this, but I never looked forward to reading it.

I also quit at about the same point. I fully expected to like this book, heard great things, read March and Year of Wonders and enjoyed both. This one fell so flat to me.