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There are currently 17 member reviews
for The Book of Illumination
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Sandy P. (Gainesville, FL)
Worth reading
Nice blend of mystery and history. The ending could have been better. It seemed anti-climactic but believable. It did everything I ask a book to do....teach me something I didn't know yesterday and provide entertainment. Very enjoyable read after a day at work but not riveting.
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Marge V. (Merriam, Kansas)
The Book Of Illumination
I would have liked to have given this book a 5 but couldn't because it had too many unbelievable plot twists. I can't reveal them because in doing so I give away the plot.
This novel takes place near Boston and within the confines of the pre-/post colonial city. Anza O'Malley's gifts of seeing and speaking with ghosts are carefully and simply presented by the authors. This story in no way is horrific but presents love, forgiveness, and redemption without being sentimental. When the author's write about Anza's parenting, it's authoritative and true to life. Her social relationships are skillfully and fully presented that it has you wanting to know more.
I hope we see more books featuring Anza O'Malley and her circle.:)
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Mary D. (Claremont, CA)
The Book of Illumination
While I did enjoy reading The Book of Illumination, I was disappointed in two things: 1) there certainly was not the amount of ghostly interaction that I was anticipating; 2) I was hoping for more historical background concerning old books and book restoration. The latter was touched upon, but just enough to get my interest up and then it was over! I would have enjoyed knowing more about the ghosts, their lives, etc.
Although I found Anza's attachment to the father of her son to be a bit immature, I was very appreciative of the fact that everyone, including the stepmom, was pulling together to put the well-being of Declan first, which is unusual in today's world.
This book was an easy read and very enjoyable. But I hope that any future works contain more information and interaction with the ghosts, and more history of whatever historical subject is used.
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RoseMary W. (Boardman, OH)
The book of Illumination
I found "The Book of Illumination" to be a rather disappointing read. I was anticipating a page-turning novel filled with suspense, but, instead, found one filled with needless detail. It was an easy book to read but also one that I found easy to put down. Unfortunately, this book did not capture my interest.
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Cindy A. (Bryan, Texas)
Pleasant, but very little spook factor
The subtitle, “A Novel from the Ghost Files,” might lead you to think this book is based on a true story about a ghost-hunting expedition or a scary haunting. In fact, the ghosts—who can be bothersome, but aren’t dangerous—play a frustratingly minor role in this story, which is the purely fictional story of the multi-faceted life of Anza O’Malley. Anza struggles with being a single mother to her rambunctious five year old son, her unhealthy emotional attachment to her son’s happily married father, and, oh yes, the fact that she can see and talk to dead people.
The story of the missing manuscript and Anza’s encounters with the spirit world takes a back seat to her domestic issues. So, if you are looking for a good “ghost story,” look elsewhere. An average episode of The Ghost Whisperer will offer more tension and “fear-factor” than this novel.
Having said that, I found the story of Anza’s daily life with her son, Henry, to be realistic, and often quite charming (for example, the hoopla surrounding the kindergarten class party for the “Marriage of Q and U”). And the subplot involving the Winslow’s butler is sentimental, and more compelling than the hunt for the missing manuscript.
The Book of Illumination is a light, pleasant novel that simply needs a bit more balance and focus. But if you want a pleasant, diverting story about a woman trying to manage motherhood, work and romance while serving as a part-time Nancy Drew for a few harmless ghosts, you will enjoy this book.
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Jane H. (Indianola, Iowa)
The Book of Illumination
I was disappointed in this book. It felt as if the author was trying too hard to weave two plots together for one story. The premise of the ghost speaker was interesting, and it was obvious that Winkowski knew much of the historical background used However, the sub-plot, of family life was tedious and did not embellish the story.
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Mary S. (Hilton Head Island, SC)
Good, But Flawed
I really wanted to like this book-- the story line of ghosts and lost manuscripts was compelling, however, the story was interrupted far too often with the narrator's details of everyday life. The authors could have integrated the two stories much better. I felt like I was reading two separate books which was too bad as this could have been a very readable, engaging book.
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