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y separately published work icon The Secret Chord single work   novel  
Issue Details: First known date: 2015... 2015 The Secret Chord
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'With more than two million copies of her novels sold, New York Times bestselling author Geraldine Brooks has achieved both popular and critical acclaim. Now, Brooks takes on one of literature’s richest and most enigmatic figures: a man who shimmers between history and legend. Peeling away the myth to bring David to life in Second Iron Age Israel, Brooks traces the arc of his journey from obscurity to fame, from shepherd to soldier, from hero to traitor, from beloved king to murderous despot and into his remorseful and diminished dotage.

'The Secret Chord provides new context for some of the best-known episodes of David’s life while also focusing on others, even more remarkable and emotionally intense, that have been neglected. We see David through the eyes of those who love him or fear him—from the prophet Natan, voice of his conscience, to his wives Mikal, Avigail, and Batsheva, and finally to Solomon, the late-born son who redeems his Lear-like old age. Brooks has an uncanny ability to hear and transform characters from history, and this beautifully written, unvarnished saga of faith, desire, family, ambition, betrayal, and power will enthrall her many fans.' (Publication summary)

Exhibitions

17217700
17023679

Notes

  • Dedication: To Nathaniel...

    "...the isle is full of noises,

    Sounds and sweet airs that give delight and hurt not."

  • Epigraph:

    "Now the acts of David the king, first and last,

    behold, they are written in the words of Samuel the

    seer, and in the words of Nathan the prophet..."

    -1 Chronicles 29:29

    "Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and

    last, are they not written in the history of Nathan

    the prophet..."

    -2 Chronicles 9:29

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

    • Sydney, New South Wales,: Hachette Australia , 2015 .
      image of person or book cover 1519095461055151977.jpg
      This image has been sourced from online.
      Extent: 320p.
      Note/s:
      • Published October 6, 2015
      ISBN: 9780670025770, 9780733634284 (pbk)
    • New York (City), New York (State),
      c
      United States of America (USA),
      c
      Americas,
      :
      Viking ,
      2015 .
      image of person or book cover 4111527079702660806.jpg
      This image has been sourced from online.
      Extent: 320p.
      Note/s:
      • Published: 5th November 2015
      ISBN: 9781408704516
    • Sydney, New South Wales,: Hachette Australia , 2016 .
      image of person or book cover 2752428858341920742.jpg
      Image courtesy of publisher's website.
      Extent: 386p.
      Note/s:
      • Published 27th September 2016
      ISBN: 9780733636264
    • London,
      c
      England,
      c
      c
      United Kingdom (UK),
      c
      Western Europe, Europe,
      :
      Abacus ,
      2016 .
      image of person or book cover 8349370972758679868.jpg
      Image courtesy of publisher's website.
      Extent: 370p.p.
      ISBN: 9780349139357, 0349139350
    • New York (City), New York (State),
      c
      United States of America (USA),
      c
      Americas,
      :
      Penguin Books ,
      2016 .
      image of person or book cover 7350507198500457520.jpg
      Image courtesy of publisher's website.
      Extent: 334p.p.
      ISBN: 9780143109761, 0143109766
Form: audiobook
    • Sydney, New South Wales,: Hachette Australia , 2015 .
      image of person or book cover 3039840667101841641.jpg
      Image courtesy of publisher's website.
      Extent: 13 hrs and 7 minsp.
      Note/s:
      • Published 6 October 2015
      ISBN: 9780733635519

Other Formats

  • Also large print.

Works about this Work

Geraldine Brooks, The Secret Chord LS , 2015 single work review
— Appears in: The Saturday Paper , 10 October 2015;

— Review of The Secret Chord Geraldine Brooks , 2015 single work novel
Review : The Secret Chord Mark Johnson , 2015 single work review
— Appears in: Books + Publishing , July vol. 95 no. 1 2015; (p. 22)

— Review of The Secret Chord Geraldine Brooks , 2015 single work novel
King of Contrasts Maureen Eppen , 2015 single work column
— Appears in: Good Reading , October 2015; (p. 30-33)
'The biblical tale of shepherd boy David’s defeat of the giant-sized Goliath and his subsequent rise to become king of Israel have been passed down through many generations. In her new novel, acclaimed historical fiction writer Geraldine Brooks delves beyond the legend to reveal the life – and loves – of a man who continues to fascinate 3000 years after his death. She shares the experience of writing about the man and the myth with Maureen Eppen.'
Well Read Katharine England , 2015 single work review
— Appears in: The Advertiser , 24 October 2015; (p. 27)

— Review of The Secret Chord Geraldine Brooks , 2015 single work novel
Tale of Shepherd Who Would Be King Boldly Re-imagined Stephanie Dowrick , 2015 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 31 October - 1 November 2015; (p. 29) The Age , 31 October 2015; (p. 29)

— Review of The Secret Chord Geraldine Brooks , 2015 single work novel
Drama of Biblical Proportions Peter Craven , 2015 single work review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 10-11 October 2015; (p. 21)

— Review of The Secret Chord Geraldine Brooks , 2015 single work novel
Hill Country Morag Fraser , 2015 single work review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , October no. 375 2015; (p. 41)

— Review of The Secret Chord Geraldine Brooks , 2015 single work novel
Discovering King David Brooks Delves into the Bible Bron Sibree , 2015 single work review
— Appears in: The West Australian , 27 October 2015; (p. 6)

— Review of The Secret Chord Geraldine Brooks , 2015 single work novel
‘The Secret Chord,’ by Geraldine Brooks Alana Newhouse , 2015 single work review
— Appears in: The New York Times Book Review , 25 October 2015; (p. 23)

— Review of The Secret Chord Geraldine Brooks , 2015 single work novel
Tale of Shepherd Who Would Be King Boldly Re-imagined Stephanie Dowrick , 2015 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 31 October - 1 November 2015; (p. 29) The Age , 31 October 2015; (p. 29)

— Review of The Secret Chord Geraldine Brooks , 2015 single work novel
Geraldine Brooks Marc McEvoy , 2015 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 3-4 October 2015; (p. 30-31) The Saturday Age , 3-4 October 2015; (p. 24)
'The Pulitzer winner was inspired by her harp-playing son to turn David, the shepherd boy of the Old Testament, into the central character of a powerful novel, writes Mark McEvoy.'
King of Contrasts Maureen Eppen , 2015 single work column
— Appears in: Good Reading , October 2015; (p. 30-33)
'The biblical tale of shepherd boy David’s defeat of the giant-sized Goliath and his subsequent rise to become king of Israel have been passed down through many generations. In her new novel, acclaimed historical fiction writer Geraldine Brooks delves beyond the legend to reveal the life – and loves – of a man who continues to fascinate 3000 years after his death. She shares the experience of writing about the man and the myth with Maureen Eppen.'
Last amended 21 Jun 2024 09:41:05
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