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The Secret Books
A world on the brink of catastrophe. A two thousand year old mystery. A lost gospel. Seeking adventure, a young man flees the drudgery of shopkeeping in Tsarist Russia to make a new life among the bohemians and revolutionaries of 19th century Paris. Travelling undercover in the mountains of British India, he discovers a manuscript that transforms the world's understanding of the historical Jesus. Decades later, in a Europe threatened by unimaginable tragedy, he makes a despairing attempt to right a historic injustice. This breathtaking novel by the award-winning author of Far North and Strange Bodies tells the extraordinary tale of Nicolas Notovitch and his secret gospel. It is the epic story of a young man on the make in a turbulent world of spies and double-cross, propaganda and revolutionary violence, lost love and nascent anti-semitism -a world which eerily foreshadows our own era of post-truth politics. Based on real events, The Secret Books is at once a page-turning adventure and an examination of the stories that humans are willing to kill and die for.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published September 5, 2017
About the author
Marcel Theroux
21 books163 followersMarcel (Raymond) Theroux is a British novelist and broadcaster. He is the older son of the American travel writer and novelist, Paul Theroux. His younger brother, Louis Theroux, is a journalist and television reporter.
Born in Kampala, Uganda, Theroux was brought up in Wandsworth, London. After attending a state primary school he boarded at Westminster School. He went on to study English at Clare College of the University of Cambridge and international relations at Yale University. Currently he lives in London and is married. His French last name originates from the region around Sarthe and Yonne in France. It is quite common in Francophone countries and is originally spelled Théroux. His paternal grandfather was French Canadian.
He wrote The Stranger in The Earth and The Confessions of Mycroft Holmes: a paper chase for which he won the Somerset Maugham Award in 2002. His third novel, A Blow to the Heart, was published by Faber in 2006. His fourth, Far North, a future epic set in the Siberian taiga, was published in June 2009. He worked in television news in New York and Boston.
In 2004 he presented The End of the World as We Know It part of the War on Terra television series about climate change on Channel 4, for which he was chosen as presenter precisely because he initially knew nothing about the subject. He even had a preconception about environmentalists being spoilsports opposed to progress. But during his research he became convinced that we face a global problem, on a scale so serious that an expansion of nuclear energy is probably the best solution (choosing the lesser evil). He reached this conclusion partly via the subjects of several interviews, amongst them Gerhard Bertz of insurance agency Munich Re, who indicated that in the past 20 years payments for natural disasters have increased by 500 percent. During another, with Royal Dutch Shell chairman Lord Ron Oxburgh, a PR assistant intervened to curtail the conversation, apparently because Oxburgh's negative views on the consequences of current oil consumption were considered detrimental to the corporation's image.
In March 2006 Theroux presented Death of a Nation on More4, as part of the The State of Russia series. In the program he explored the country's post-Soviet problems including population decline, the growing AIDS epidemic and the persecution of the Meskhetian Turks.
On 28 September 2008 he presented Oligart: The Great Russian Art Boom on Channel 4 about how Russia's rich are keeping Russia's art history alive by buying, and exhibiting domestic art.
On 16 March 2009, Marcel Theroux presented In Search of Wabi-sabi on BBC Four as part of the channel's Hidden Japan season of programming. Marcel travelled throughout Japan trying to understand the aesthetic tastes of Japan and its people.
Born in Kampala, Uganda, Theroux was brought up in Wandsworth, London. After attending a state primary school he boarded at Westminster School. He went on to study English at Clare College of the University of Cambridge and international relations at Yale University. Currently he lives in London and is married. His French last name originates from the region around Sarthe and Yonne in France. It is quite common in Francophone countries and is originally spelled Théroux. His paternal grandfather was French Canadian.
He wrote The Stranger in The Earth and The Confessions of Mycroft Holmes: a paper chase for which he won the Somerset Maugham Award in 2002. His third novel, A Blow to the Heart, was published by Faber in 2006. His fourth, Far North, a future epic set in the Siberian taiga, was published in June 2009. He worked in television news in New York and Boston.
In 2004 he presented The End of the World as We Know It part of the War on Terra television series about climate change on Channel 4, for which he was chosen as presenter precisely because he initially knew nothing about the subject. He even had a preconception about environmentalists being spoilsports opposed to progress. But during his research he became convinced that we face a global problem, on a scale so serious that an expansion of nuclear energy is probably the best solution (choosing the lesser evil). He reached this conclusion partly via the subjects of several interviews, amongst them Gerhard Bertz of insurance agency Munich Re, who indicated that in the past 20 years payments for natural disasters have increased by 500 percent. During another, with Royal Dutch Shell chairman Lord Ron Oxburgh, a PR assistant intervened to curtail the conversation, apparently because Oxburgh's negative views on the consequences of current oil consumption were considered detrimental to the corporation's image.
In March 2006 Theroux presented Death of a Nation on More4, as part of the The State of Russia series. In the program he explored the country's post-Soviet problems including population decline, the growing AIDS epidemic and the persecution of the Meskhetian Turks.
On 28 September 2008 he presented Oligart: The Great Russian Art Boom on Channel 4 about how Russia's rich are keeping Russia's art history alive by buying, and exhibiting domestic art.
On 16 March 2009, Marcel Theroux presented In Search of Wabi-sabi on BBC Four as part of the channel's Hidden Japan season of programming. Marcel travelled throughout Japan trying to understand the aesthetic tastes of Japan and its people.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 17, 2018
“Reader, come with me…”
At the very start of this ‘alternative history’ Theroux lays out his metafictional stall: like a magician revealing his trickery to his audience, he describes how the writer’s alchemy of authenticity and enchantment creates ‘a magical spell we create together and both participate in.’
This tale within a tale is inspired by the true story of Nicholas Notovitch – a Russian Jew who claimed to have discovered an ancient text revealing the lost years of Jesus (which sounded like a pretty authentic version to me).
I'm not keen on alternative histories as a rule, and this novel is less accessible than his others, but Theroux is a storytelling sorcerer to rival Scheherazade who rewards full commitment from the reader - and he kept this reader spell-bound, as with all his novels.
At the very start of this ‘alternative history’ Theroux lays out his metafictional stall: like a magician revealing his trickery to his audience, he describes how the writer’s alchemy of authenticity and enchantment creates ‘a magical spell we create together and both participate in.’
This tale within a tale is inspired by the true story of Nicholas Notovitch – a Russian Jew who claimed to have discovered an ancient text revealing the lost years of Jesus (which sounded like a pretty authentic version to me).
I'm not keen on alternative histories as a rule, and this novel is less accessible than his others, but Theroux is a storytelling sorcerer to rival Scheherazade who rewards full commitment from the reader - and he kept this reader spell-bound, as with all his novels.
October 16, 2017
'I wanna tell you a story'
I was reminded of Max Bygraves’ famous catch-phrase each time I picked up this book to continue what proved to be a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience: it is about the stories we tell others, the stories we tell ourselves and the stories that reinforce our faith (or lack thereof).
Fantastically erudite, witty, self-deprecating and – for my money – utterly engaging, Marcel Theroux gives us a story (among many) of a restless 17-year old who in late 19th century Crimea, flees his Jewish family ties and dull shop work to stow away on a ship bound for new frontiers. On board, he meets a woman, Wednesday MacGahan, who is to have a profound influence on his life. The young man’s facility with languages opens many doors and his skill as a writer leads him into journalism…as well as adventure, danger, politics, espionage.
It’s a heady mix and it had me at hello:
“Wearying of the trickery of arresting opening sentences – their flavours of honey and brimstone, their glimpses of drama to come, their syntax weighted to draw you to the full stop and beyond – all I can honestly say is: reader, come with me.
“I’ve never been a fan of epigraphs in books; there’s something arch and writerly about them like a cupped chin or an ostentatious scarf in an author photo. They’re a cut-price way of giving both of us a literary feeling – instead of flowers, a burst of ersatz laurel from a can of air freshener. Psssht. Mmm, is that…Whitman?”
With a complex layered narrative, many thought-provoking ideas and studded with wit and wilful anachronisms (this last, a conceit which may or may not appeal, is somewhat reminiscent of Hermione Eyre’s Viper Wine) this is a book to read more than once.
I was reminded of Max Bygraves’ famous catch-phrase each time I picked up this book to continue what proved to be a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience: it is about the stories we tell others, the stories we tell ourselves and the stories that reinforce our faith (or lack thereof).
Fantastically erudite, witty, self-deprecating and – for my money – utterly engaging, Marcel Theroux gives us a story (among many) of a restless 17-year old who in late 19th century Crimea, flees his Jewish family ties and dull shop work to stow away on a ship bound for new frontiers. On board, he meets a woman, Wednesday MacGahan, who is to have a profound influence on his life. The young man’s facility with languages opens many doors and his skill as a writer leads him into journalism…as well as adventure, danger, politics, espionage.
It’s a heady mix and it had me at hello:
“Wearying of the trickery of arresting opening sentences – their flavours of honey and brimstone, their glimpses of drama to come, their syntax weighted to draw you to the full stop and beyond – all I can honestly say is: reader, come with me.
“I’ve never been a fan of epigraphs in books; there’s something arch and writerly about them like a cupped chin or an ostentatious scarf in an author photo. They’re a cut-price way of giving both of us a literary feeling – instead of flowers, a burst of ersatz laurel from a can of air freshener. Psssht. Mmm, is that…Whitman?”
With a complex layered narrative, many thought-provoking ideas and studded with wit and wilful anachronisms (this last, a conceit which may or may not appeal, is somewhat reminiscent of Hermione Eyre’s Viper Wine) this is a book to read more than once.
December 23, 2017
Reality is a collection of stories which humanity has determined to be best suited for its purposes. Theroux takes a playful look at this concept and comes to the conclusion that truth is purely subjective and oftentimes irrelevant. Theroux’s use of anachronisms serves two purposes: it’s fun, and it reminds us that even half truths and ridiculousness do not mean a story warrants dismissal. This novel won’t be for everyone, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
June 22, 2017
This is a really clever, postmodern take on the life of 19th century writer and adventurer Nicolas Notovitch, who was best known for publishing a 'new gospel' which he claimed to have discovered at a temple in India, which charts the lost years of Jesus and gives a completely different perspective on his life.
I must admit, until I read this I'd never heard of him, but this tricksy narrative draws you into a version of his life. In this current 'post-truth' climate, full of 'alternative facts', this is essentially a story about telling stories, and the power and sometimes terrible consequences propaganda has. It begins with the author researching the life of his uncle (in a piece which may or may not be true), and then follows Notovitch through a series of recordings he makes in his later years to an Italian engineer, as the new technology of sound recording comes in. From his birth in what is now Ukraine, to his escape into active journalism and his various careers as a writer, revolutionary and spy, it is an intriguing adventure. Is any of it true? Who knows!
What I loved about this book was the way the author threw in a lot of deliberate anachronisms - such as 19th century Russian communists writing blogs, and comparing the Tsar to Darth Vader from Star Wars. It constantly reminded you that what you are reading is another story, another construction of the past. There are some very serious issues in this novel, not least the rise of antisemitism in Europe, but it's all done with a light touch.
I must admit, until I read this I'd never heard of him, but this tricksy narrative draws you into a version of his life. In this current 'post-truth' climate, full of 'alternative facts', this is essentially a story about telling stories, and the power and sometimes terrible consequences propaganda has. It begins with the author researching the life of his uncle (in a piece which may or may not be true), and then follows Notovitch through a series of recordings he makes in his later years to an Italian engineer, as the new technology of sound recording comes in. From his birth in what is now Ukraine, to his escape into active journalism and his various careers as a writer, revolutionary and spy, it is an intriguing adventure. Is any of it true? Who knows!
What I loved about this book was the way the author threw in a lot of deliberate anachronisms - such as 19th century Russian communists writing blogs, and comparing the Tsar to Darth Vader from Star Wars. It constantly reminded you that what you are reading is another story, another construction of the past. There are some very serious issues in this novel, not least the rise of antisemitism in Europe, but it's all done with a light touch.
April 24, 2018
I read this book because I saw the author Marcel (brother of... no never mind, he must hate that) interviewed on BBC News’ Meet The Author. I subsequently ordered it then held off reading it for ages, forgot why I had liked the sound of it and eventually picked it up several months later on the grounds that as I had bought it, I might as well bloody read it.
Plot wise, it’s very hard to describe (starting in a modern day swimming pool then meandering back through history) so I won’t try here. It’s an examination of what could have been but not what necessarily was - many aspects of the book are based on fact, with the author knowingly filling in the gaps whilst letting you know that he is doing precisely that, whilst also incorporating that oddity into the narrative of the main story as well, layers upon layers of maybe. Sounds complicated? Well perhaps a little.
I found the first one hundred and fifty pages hard work, and had to force myself to read, but once you get past the deliberate false start, and into the main drive, it’s becomes really interesting. Of course it’s the tale of the found gospel that elevates the book (based on a real event, a supposed missing gospel found by someone totally unable to prove it). It’s essentially the life story of the person who found the gospel (or says he did!) and ends, tragically, at a certain notorious point in history. I had no idea the book was going there, I kind of assumed the man would be dead by that time so the denouement was genuinely unexpected and tragic.
There are some odd moments. There is a reference to Darth Vader which lead me to check that the story was set in the century that I thought it was (I was right, the 19th) and after that I noticed the book was peppered with deliberate temporal incongruities, which initially irritated me but the further I got I found that I was looking forward to the next one, like an inappropriately placed but nevertheless welcome Easter Egg. They never impinge on the story, they are always background details, and I eventually found myself laughing out loud each time.
Also there’s one beautiful but subtle callback in the last twenty pages of the book, which is not an important plot point but underlines and illustrates what the book is about perfectly.
So a genuinely entertaining and thought provoking read that examines truth and the way alternative facts can seep into popular culture become truth - sometimes on a grand scale, sometimes on a tiny one. Very relevant in modern times.
Plot wise, it’s very hard to describe (starting in a modern day swimming pool then meandering back through history) so I won’t try here. It’s an examination of what could have been but not what necessarily was - many aspects of the book are based on fact, with the author knowingly filling in the gaps whilst letting you know that he is doing precisely that, whilst also incorporating that oddity into the narrative of the main story as well, layers upon layers of maybe. Sounds complicated? Well perhaps a little.
I found the first one hundred and fifty pages hard work, and had to force myself to read, but once you get past the deliberate false start, and into the main drive, it’s becomes really interesting. Of course it’s the tale of the found gospel that elevates the book (based on a real event, a supposed missing gospel found by someone totally unable to prove it). It’s essentially the life story of the person who found the gospel (or says he did!) and ends, tragically, at a certain notorious point in history. I had no idea the book was going there, I kind of assumed the man would be dead by that time so the denouement was genuinely unexpected and tragic.
There are some odd moments. There is a reference to Darth Vader which lead me to check that the story was set in the century that I thought it was (I was right, the 19th) and after that I noticed the book was peppered with deliberate temporal incongruities, which initially irritated me but the further I got I found that I was looking forward to the next one, like an inappropriately placed but nevertheless welcome Easter Egg. They never impinge on the story, they are always background details, and I eventually found myself laughing out loud each time.
Also there’s one beautiful but subtle callback in the last twenty pages of the book, which is not an important plot point but underlines and illustrates what the book is about perfectly.
So a genuinely entertaining and thought provoking read that examines truth and the way alternative facts can seep into popular culture become truth - sometimes on a grand scale, sometimes on a tiny one. Very relevant in modern times.
June 10, 2019
I’m not sure what I think about novels labelled as meta fiction, i.e. where the author points out the nature of storytelling with constant reminders that we are reading a made up story while presenting it as historical truth. I very much liked Marcel Theroux’s musings on all of this in his introduction. What I liked less was the frequent anachronisms whereby modern technology (e.g. computers) are introduced into actions taking place over 100 years ago.
However, the story itself with its hero’s rambling adventures in bohemian Paris and as a spy for Tsarist Russia to more exotic travels to discover a missing gospel which allegedly uncovers a previously unknown period in Jesus Christ’s life rattles along in a very entertaining manner.
However, the story itself with its hero’s rambling adventures in bohemian Paris and as a spy for Tsarist Russia to more exotic travels to discover a missing gospel which allegedly uncovers a previously unknown period in Jesus Christ’s life rattles along in a very entertaining manner.
October 17, 2019
4,5 point An extraordinary book with a lot of thoughts tot think about. Sometimes not easy for me to read.
December 17, 2021
Fiction or history or both perhaps. This novel is brilliant in it's exploration of myth making, story telling and constantly evolving narratives that societies and individuals dream up to justify themselves and their actions. Or, perhaps, to somehow mitigate against the worst excesses of human behaviour. History is full of untold stories it is also a fluid thing in which stories change depending on who is doing the telling. The author manages to slip us into an alternate reality where the past has access to the future in terms of the devices in which stories are recorded and processed. This is fun and puts me in mind of the film 'Caravaggio' by Derek Jarman where typewriters and walkmans appear in the 17th century. This helps to reinforce the authors notion of storytelling and history as myth-making cross overs.
The story itself is a cross between a splendid 19th century ripping yarn set around the time or The 'Great Game' between Russia and The Raj and the horrors of and the roots of antisemitism. This is such a pleasure to read.
The story itself is a cross between a splendid 19th century ripping yarn set around the time or The 'Great Game' between Russia and The Raj and the horrors of and the roots of antisemitism. This is such a pleasure to read.
October 3, 2017
Clever blend of narratives. Main plot centres on the stored recordings of Nicolas Notovitch. These recall his life from a shopkeeper in Crimea to an author and spy. He travels across Europe and Asia, meeting powerful characters, mainly based on real people. The objects misplaced in time are a distraction that reinforce that this is a story. Notovitch discovers the secret books whilst convalescing in a monastery. These are a different version of the bible which portray the Jews more favourably. Whether this is the truth remains an unanswered question. It’s a very clever book. Stick with it!
November 13, 2021
mind bending and honestly dishonest, i wonder if knowing more about jesus-y things in the first place would have made a difference, but the 'twist' didn't do much twisting for me (whilst the meaning behind it did have a bit of oomph).
a book i'd love to have written if i wrote books.
a book i'd love to have written if i wrote books.
June 2, 2019
I ended up with a copy of this book by mistake: I ordered two apparently after a Christmas present request, and I didn't return the second. It's a strange tale, and since I haven't read any other Marcel Theroux, the style and approach took a little getting used to. But I rather enjoyed it, and the occasional deliberate anachronisms. I wasn't aware that the story was about a real person, and knowing this afterwards, didn't change anything. Oddly, I had the feeling of Amor Towles's A Gentleman in Moscow for quite a bit of the time, which is a huge compliment to the book, though this dissipated later on, and the 380 pages felt , as ever, too long, which wasn't ever true with Towles.
September 30, 2019
In this remarkable novel, Marcel Theroux has built a richly imagined life based on the flimsiest of sources. Nobody knows the truth about Nicholas Notovitch, but the life described here is fascinating and involves other real people. There are also regular authorial comments about the importance of stories, and what happens when our stories compete and when we try to force them on others - very relevant in Brexit Britain. I couldn't decide whether the many anachronisms were just an irritating attempt at being quirky, or were to help us see that all stories are timeless. It was also made more relevant by the fact that I was reading it in St Petersburg.
October 29, 2019
Interesting story, very creative. Good writing. I may have failed in close reading at the outset, but failed to see how certain story lines came together- perhaps they never did. Novel approach, but not sure that the anachronisms added to the story/readers' experience (eg mixing very contemporary references like using laser pointers in to parts of the story taking place 100+ years ago). Exploration of the fact that life is a collection of the stories we tell ourselves and these need not have any bearing on actual facts.
October 10, 2019
Really conflicted about this. Bought it because of Far North. It's nothing like Far North. The narrative style and the occasional slips of time are a bit annoying. But also quite good, too. I dunno. If you like "whole life" novels, quirky narrative tricks and late nineteenth early/twentieth century history, particularly as it relates to Jewishness you'll love this. But... Hmm... I wasn't completely convinced...
September 19, 2022
Absolutely fascinating and gripping book. Plays with the form and timeline, a rollercoaster of one man's supposed life, and his world as it twists and turns. Playing with the idea of what storytelling is, while delving into history at it's most human.
Very relevant to today's world - our culture of not knowing who's spinning what story, and to what end. I didn't know what to expect from this book - I picked it up because I love Marcel Therouxs other work but it seriously was class.
Very relevant to today's world - our culture of not knowing who's spinning what story, and to what end. I didn't know what to expect from this book - I picked it up because I love Marcel Therouxs other work but it seriously was class.
August 2, 2018
Unfinished. Every time I tried to pick this book up - I struggled. It didn’t take me to another place - I was just bored. I think the story was ok, but it was not well written- the style was just really odd - it was the author telling a story about a man, who was listening to a story of another man. I just didn’t get the concept.
July 27, 2022
I think this is a very difficult book to really pin point why I liked it so much (not helped by the fact that I read it months ago).
but if you wanna read a book that includes some messed up characters, that includes a lot of history and little things, kind of is a story inside of story, you've come to the right place
but if you wanna read a book that includes some messed up characters, that includes a lot of history and little things, kind of is a story inside of story, you've come to the right place
December 6, 2017
Awesome!!!! It’s been a while since I’ve read such a good book. It’s unique, thoughtful, smart, and so well-written. I almost never re-read books but I’m tempted to start reading this one again. Tonight.
November 3, 2017
fascinating, even the bits I didn't think I'd enjoy (political/spy stuff). particularly loved the scene setting at the beginning of the author's life in London and how he came to write the book
May 23, 2018
A journalist, a story of the past intersecting the present, the belief of humans between propaganda and religion
July 8, 2018
Wow! Why isn’t this up for every award going? It’s breathtaking. Best thing I’ve read for a long time. Don’t miss it.
December 12, 2019
3.5
Fascinating in parts, but overall this took too long to reach the conclusion. That some parts are true is a bonus.
Fascinating in parts, but overall this took too long to reach the conclusion. That some parts are true is a bonus.
June 1, 2021
Just couldn't get into this. Will try again at a later date as I really wanted to enjoy this!
July 3, 2021
Didn't actually finish. I just couldn't get into it no matter how hard I tried.
December 4, 2023
I enjoyed this tale of intrigue, fantasy and myth.
March 11, 2022
“…stories resemble bridges, gifts and medicine; they join, they are bestowed, they heal.”
“There will be many massacres in the decades ahead. Some will seem to merit the coining of new words: holocaust, genocide, ethnic cleansing…Some dreadful deeds will take place in a kind of historical silence. Others will be memorialised in images, photographs, cine films, video. Some vast acts of murder will be reconceived as regrettable necessities.”
A complex and idiosyncratic story based on stories. A story based on truths, partial truths and untruths. An unusual writing style that is initially difficult to follow with many false starts, bloated with unnecessary fancy language. Yet, before you know it, the story has begun and you are hooked. Still confused, but hooked. There were plenty of elements that made me stop and truly think about the atrocities of the human past, as seen from both sides. It was especially interesting that the protagonists was a real person who claimed to have lived the story portrayed (even if the dates didn’t add up). He certainly lived many lives; a journalist, adventurer, spy. The question is whether he genuinely lived such a remarkable life or simply had a remarkable imagination.
Unfortunately the many anachronisms often became too distracting and interrupted the flow of text. The promised twist didn’t live up to expectation (perhaps because I am an atheist) and it took an age to reach the final conclusion. Yet, in the era of fake news and reinvention, this story is very ‘now’.
At times this was rather philosophical, clever and thought provoking. Unfortunately however, the author explaining himself in the closing chapter was pretentious and awkward. If you enjoy a heavy, information filled book, then I would recommend this. If you struggle with complex story telling that requires your full attention, then you’d best skip this one.
“There will be many massacres in the decades ahead. Some will seem to merit the coining of new words: holocaust, genocide, ethnic cleansing…Some dreadful deeds will take place in a kind of historical silence. Others will be memorialised in images, photographs, cine films, video. Some vast acts of murder will be reconceived as regrettable necessities.”
A complex and idiosyncratic story based on stories. A story based on truths, partial truths and untruths. An unusual writing style that is initially difficult to follow with many false starts, bloated with unnecessary fancy language. Yet, before you know it, the story has begun and you are hooked. Still confused, but hooked. There were plenty of elements that made me stop and truly think about the atrocities of the human past, as seen from both sides. It was especially interesting that the protagonists was a real person who claimed to have lived the story portrayed (even if the dates didn’t add up). He certainly lived many lives; a journalist, adventurer, spy. The question is whether he genuinely lived such a remarkable life or simply had a remarkable imagination.
Unfortunately the many anachronisms often became too distracting and interrupted the flow of text. The promised twist didn’t live up to expectation (perhaps because I am an atheist) and it took an age to reach the final conclusion. Yet, in the era of fake news and reinvention, this story is very ‘now’.
At times this was rather philosophical, clever and thought provoking. Unfortunately however, the author explaining himself in the closing chapter was pretentious and awkward. If you enjoy a heavy, information filled book, then I would recommend this. If you struggle with complex story telling that requires your full attention, then you’d best skip this one.
December 29, 2018
I picked this up because I was immediately drawn to the cover! It’s religious symbols and colours just had a lot going on to attract the eye! The Secret Books focuses on a Jewish protagonist, concealing his religion to make better relationships through his journalism career, which took him to many places. He discovers secret texts that fill in the gaps where the Bible fails to recount Jesus’ younger years and how he spent his time. The protagonist also finds friendship, love, a spy corporation and betrayal throughout his journey. It also discusses exactly what led to the second world war.
We read the story as the protagonist reads it aloud to be recorded in his old age. It’s intriguing, fast-paced, well-told and mostly true! A thoroughly enjoyable read and probably the most you’ll learn this year!
We read the story as the protagonist reads it aloud to be recorded in his old age. It’s intriguing, fast-paced, well-told and mostly true! A thoroughly enjoyable read and probably the most you’ll learn this year!
November 23, 2020
Interesting and loosely partially based on a real person.
Shelved as 'abandoned'
February 12, 2019Maybe this book was too literary for me? I’m sure that the author’s story within a story within a story was very clever and appreciated by many. Alas, it was not for me. I did want to read the plot described by the blurb here on GoodReads and I’ve loved a couple of other books written by Theroux. I wanted to quit many times, but I ended up getting through page 85.
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