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basementofbooks's review
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mishamir's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
annashiv's review
2.0
A lot of purple prose. For a book about printing the word of God, there wasn't much piety.
book_concierge's review
3.0
3.5***
In her debut novel, Christie explores one of the most momentous events in history: the invention of the printing press. The author used the real people involved, researching historical documents to support way she imagined the scenario unfolding.
I generally like novels such as this one, but for some reason I had a very hard time getting engaged in this work. It took me nearly two weeks to read it, about double the amount of time I usually need for a 400-page book. I did find the information about the conflicts between the guilds, the ruling class, and the Church interesting, but it went on for so long that I grew tired of the political and personal intrigue, and by the time the climax came I didn’t much care what would happen to the relationships between the three central figures: Gutenberg, Fust, and Peter.
I have always read the notation at the end of print books, telling me what type face was used for that edition. That information holds new meaning for me now, as I imagine the original artist carefully carving the alphabet in a new design. In this age of digital print, it is all the more wonderful to imagine the creativity, skill and hard work that went into this marvelous invention.
In her debut novel, Christie explores one of the most momentous events in history: the invention of the printing press. The author used the real people involved, researching historical documents to support way she imagined the scenario unfolding.
I generally like novels such as this one, but for some reason I had a very hard time getting engaged in this work. It took me nearly two weeks to read it, about double the amount of time I usually need for a 400-page book. I did find the information about the conflicts between the guilds, the ruling class, and the Church interesting, but it went on for so long that I grew tired of the political and personal intrigue, and by the time the climax came I didn’t much care what would happen to the relationships between the three central figures: Gutenberg, Fust, and Peter.
I have always read the notation at the end of print books, telling me what type face was used for that edition. That information holds new meaning for me now, as I imagine the original artist carefully carving the alphabet in a new design. In this age of digital print, it is all the more wonderful to imagine the creativity, skill and hard work that went into this marvelous invention.
patchworkbunny's review against another edition
Did not finish...however:
The story of the invention of the printing press and the work behind the Gutenberg Bible told from the perspective of his apprentice. I found the subject matter genuinely fascinating and there’s some wonderful passages. Perhaps I was reading it at the wrong time (new job, trying to read on lunch breaks) and just didn’t get fully immersed. However the politics of the church and the situation in Mainz at the time is fairly relevant to the motivations and resulting history. Yet I couldn’t bring myself to be that interested in it. Coupled with the fact the characters are pretty unsympathetic (you can’t make real people nice or witty just to suit modern whims, I know) and a slow pace (this was the church’s fault for holding up progress!) I just kept putting the book down. Still I liked A LOT of what I read and there was plenty of little snippets that I took note of.
Review copy provided by publisher.
The story of the invention of the printing press and the work behind the Gutenberg Bible told from the perspective of his apprentice. I found the subject matter genuinely fascinating and there’s some wonderful passages. Perhaps I was reading it at the wrong time (new job, trying to read on lunch breaks) and just didn’t get fully immersed. However the politics of the church and the situation in Mainz at the time is fairly relevant to the motivations and resulting history. Yet I couldn’t bring myself to be that interested in it. Coupled with the fact the characters are pretty unsympathetic (you can’t make real people nice or witty just to suit modern whims, I know) and a slow pace (this was the church’s fault for holding up progress!) I just kept putting the book down. Still I liked A LOT of what I read and there was plenty of little snippets that I took note of.
The world is flooded now with crude words crudely wrought, an overwhelming glut of pages pouring from the scores of presses springing up like mushrooms after rain. Churning out their smut and prophecy, the rantings of the anarchists and antichrists – the scholars of the classics are in uproar at how printing has defiled the book.
Review copy provided by publisher.
christajls's review against another edition
4.0
This review originally posted at More Than Just Magic
I am a typography nerd. I also work in the production wing of publishing so I love learning about different paper types, binding etc. But even if I didn’t love all of those things the importance of Gutenberg’s printing press wouldn’t be lost of me. In the list of inventions that have changed the world it’s near the top.
The printing press changed everything. It gave everyone access to literature, to education, it eased the strangle hold the church had on the population. It opened the door to a whole new world. The same way the internet has done for us in the modern day.
But despite knowing all of that, I was previously unaware of how the press actually came into being. Which seems like a huge historical gap to have. And now that I’ve read Gutenberg’s Apprentice I feel even worse about it because I know it was such a fascinating history I was missing all these years. I had always assumed the Church gave them a hard time about the press and the printing of the Bible but I never imagined just how difficult it actually was. It wasn’t just the Church that was resistant to change. It was everyone. The guilds, the scribes, everyday people. Being a scribe was a blessed job – you worked with holy texts, which brought you closer to God. Many saw replacing scribes with a machine to be the work of the devil.
I loved how much detail Christie went into about the stages of the invention. She really explored the how and why of every choice and new improvement. For example the adjusting of space between lines (now known as leading) and the creation of metal moulds for the letters rather than the jeweller’s sand they had started with.
The only part of this novel I wasn’t fascinated by was Peter Schoeffer, the narrator and one of the central players in the creation of the press and the printing of the Bible. His role was an important one, there’s no doubt about that. But his presence on the page fell a bit flat. It didn’t feel as dynamic as some of the other characters and I felt little to no emotional connection with him, despite spending the majority of the novel with him. I did like that his feelings towards the project and Gutenberg developed and changed throughout the novel but I ultimately I feel like more could have been done with his character.
If you are at all interested in the history of the printing press and the written word you will be fascinated by the contents of this book. It has a bit of a slow start and Peter is not the most engaging narrator but it doesn’t matter. The actual historical details are what will hook you. This is a book for readers who have an appreciation for physical books. Gutenberg’s Apprentice will give you a whole new set of reasons to love that printed book in your hand.
I am a typography nerd. I also work in the production wing of publishing so I love learning about different paper types, binding etc. But even if I didn’t love all of those things the importance of Gutenberg’s printing press wouldn’t be lost of me. In the list of inventions that have changed the world it’s near the top.
The printing press changed everything. It gave everyone access to literature, to education, it eased the strangle hold the church had on the population. It opened the door to a whole new world. The same way the internet has done for us in the modern day.
But despite knowing all of that, I was previously unaware of how the press actually came into being. Which seems like a huge historical gap to have. And now that I’ve read Gutenberg’s Apprentice I feel even worse about it because I know it was such a fascinating history I was missing all these years. I had always assumed the Church gave them a hard time about the press and the printing of the Bible but I never imagined just how difficult it actually was. It wasn’t just the Church that was resistant to change. It was everyone. The guilds, the scribes, everyday people. Being a scribe was a blessed job – you worked with holy texts, which brought you closer to God. Many saw replacing scribes with a machine to be the work of the devil.
I loved how much detail Christie went into about the stages of the invention. She really explored the how and why of every choice and new improvement. For example the adjusting of space between lines (now known as leading) and the creation of metal moulds for the letters rather than the jeweller’s sand they had started with.
The only part of this novel I wasn’t fascinated by was Peter Schoeffer, the narrator and one of the central players in the creation of the press and the printing of the Bible. His role was an important one, there’s no doubt about that. But his presence on the page fell a bit flat. It didn’t feel as dynamic as some of the other characters and I felt little to no emotional connection with him, despite spending the majority of the novel with him. I did like that his feelings towards the project and Gutenberg developed and changed throughout the novel but I ultimately I feel like more could have been done with his character.
If you are at all interested in the history of the printing press and the written word you will be fascinated by the contents of this book. It has a bit of a slow start and Peter is not the most engaging narrator but it doesn’t matter. The actual historical details are what will hook you. This is a book for readers who have an appreciation for physical books. Gutenberg’s Apprentice will give you a whole new set of reasons to love that printed book in your hand.
karenreads1000s's review
4.0
In principio erat Verbum. In the beginning was the Word. Interesting novel about the beginning of book printing and the Gutenberg Bible. The historical aspects really set the stage for this amazing story. Really liked how the Bible verses that were being printed applied to the characters lives during the story. The idea that this invention made so much knowledge accessible to so many is almost too much to comprehend. The story is a bit slow in places but otherwise an enjoyable read.
slim_oysterhiatus's review
4.0
Interesting to read other reviews saying this lacked depth because I was captivated by the layers that made early modern Europe come alive--the relationships between the characters and their perception of class and professional trade, the corruption and schisms within the church, the theocratic-political battles, and not to mention the development of the printing press itself.
gotobedmouse's review
3.0
I finished it, and I have to say I am a better person for reading this book. I started enjoying the book about 75% of the way through it. The first 3/4 of the book was tedious and a little over my head. I had to research 1450's Germany history (which I am not ashamed to say I knew absolutely nothing about before this book). The book seemed to drag on and on about font and the process of making the letters which was the most boring part of the book. However, I am glad I got through it. I learned a lot, and did get out of my comfort zone which is a book clubs job.