Fortnightly Book Discussion in November

By Tim Rahn

The Secret Chord, a retelling of the story of the Biblical David by the award-winning author Geraldine Brooks, will be discussed on Wednesday, November 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the Hydrangea Room of the Community Center.

Narrated by the court prophet-advisor Natan (Nathan), The Secret Chord, tells the often bloody story of David’s reign as king of Israel. Brooks uses David’s complexity to explore loyalty and treachery that comes with power. She also explores David’s relationships with the members of his extended family including his wives.

Published in 2015, The Secret Chord was the recipient of considerable praise by reviewers. Alice Hoffman, writing in the Washington Post, commented that “The Secret Chord reads like a prose poem, with battle after battle recounted in detail, but it’s a page turner of a poem. We want to know how David manages to stave off his rivals and enemies, just as we want to know what love means to him and who, if anyone, will cause him to be faithful.”

Brooks began her writing career as journalist before turning to non-fiction and then novels such as The People of the Book, Caleb’s Crossing, and Year of Wonder. In 2006 Brooks received the Pulitzer Prize for fiction for the novel, March.

Sponsored by the Friends Book Group, the discussion is open to all. Copies of The Secret Chord are available on loan from the library.

Tim Rahn is the President of the Friends of the Library Board and facilitates their bimonthly book discussions

This article appeared in the November 2016 edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. The Takoma Park Newsletter is available for download here.