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Overview
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"Lovers of historical fiction, classic literature, and dry humor can all find something in this novel."
Jeremy  Rober - Books-A-Million, Toledo, OH
This brilliant debut novel takes a young reporter from his small town paper to the heart of a centuries-old international smuggling ring that amasses the alchemical artifacts that lead to eternal life.
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Details
- ISBN-13: 9780143036623
- ISBN-10: 0143036629
- Publisher: Penguin Adult Hc/Tr
- Publish Date: February 2006
- Dimensions: 8.46 x 5.58 x 0.84 inches
- Shipping Weight: 0.75 pounds
- Page Count: 384
- Reading Level: Ages 18-UP
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The Geographer's Library
Fasman's debut novel has all the makings of a classic literary thriller. The geographer in question is Al-Idrisi, a philosopher and scholar of Spanish-Muslim descent whose specialty was maps, and who attended the court of King Roger of Sicily in 1154. Al-Idrisi once owned a valuable collection of devices that he used in the practice of alchemy, but the devices were stolen. Paralleling this historical narrative is the contemporary story of Paul Tomm, a journalist from Connecticut. Paul is writing an obituary of Jaan Puhapaev, an eccentric, elderly professor with a mysterious past. As Paul learns more about his subject, it becomes clear that the man had some connection to the alchemical instruments. Indeed, as Paul discovers, the devices have a long provenance all their own, involving previous owners and sinister happenings. Paul's involvement in the case deepens when he meets a beautiful music teacher named Hannah, who has her own interest in the stolen instruments. Linking all of these details is a dangerous gang of international smugglers. With elements of romance and suspense, and settings as varied as Estonia, Iran and Italy, this sophisticated mystery marks the arrival of a talented new novelist. Similar in tone to The Da Vinci Code, Fasman's new book is sure to please fans of the academic mystery genre.
A reading group guide is available online at http://us.penguingroup.com.
The Geographer's Library
Fasman's debut novel has all the makings of a classic literary thriller. The geographer in question is Al-Idrisi, a philosopher and scholar of Spanish-Muslim descent whose specialty was maps, and who attended the court of King Roger of Sicily in 1154. Al-Idrisi once owned a valuable collection of devices that he used in the practice of alchemy, but the devices were stolen. Paralleling this historical narrative is the contemporary story of Paul Tomm, a journalist from Connecticut. Paul is writing an obituary of Jaan Puhapaev, an eccentric, elderly professor with a mysterious past. As Paul learns more about his subject, it becomes clear that the man had some connection to the alchemical instruments. Indeed, as Paul discovers, the devices have a long provenance all their own, involving previous owners and sinister happenings. Paul's involvement in the case deepens when he meets a beautiful music teacher named Hannah, who has her own interest in the stolen instruments. Linking all of these details is a dangerous gang of international smugglers. With elements of romance and suspense, and settings as varied as Estonia, Iran and Italy, this sophisticated mystery marks the arrival of a talented new novelist. Similar in tone to The Da Vinci Code, Fasman's new book is sure to please fans of the academic mystery genre.
A reading group guide is available online at http://us.penguingroup.com.