books

Mitchell's Book Corner 54 Main Street, 228-1080

"The Painter of Battles" by Arturo Perez-Reverte

This novel is the story of one man's struggle to resolve his own tortured past and to atone for the tragedy of another's. Beneath its evocative imagery and riveting dialogue lies a timely, philosophical treatise on the true nature of humankind. Its sensual descriptions will pique your curiosity about cultures, conflicts, art and photography around the world, and its compelling arguments will leave you reflecting on deeper questions of right, wrong and moral ambiguity. Like any great work of fine art, "The Painter" is brilliant and haunting and will remain with you long after you have closed its cover.

- Sara Bishop, Mitchell's Book Corner

Nantucket Bookworks 25 Broad Street, 228-4000

"The Killing of Major Denis Mahon: A Mystery of Old Ireland" by Peter Duffy

In 1847, the most terrible year of the Irish Famine, Major Denis Mahon, an Anglo-Irish landlord, was murdered from ambush as he drove through his vast estate in County Roscommon, which was filled with thousands of his starving tenants. Peter Duffy tells a compelling story, including the unsatisfactory trial of those suspected of being involved, while skillfully placing the event in the larger picture of the Famine, its causes, and the ineffectual efforts of the British government to deal with the plight of the suffering Irish.

In the early days of the Famine, Mahon had been responsive to the needs of his tenants, arranging for several thousand to flee the country in the "coffin ships" bound for North America and creating work for some of those on his properties. But his later attitude was mixed at best and he took to having many of his tenants summarily evicted. Duffy's account sheds some new light on an old history and tries to make sense of the murder. It's an excellent book for those who would like to learn about the great catastrophe and well worth the attention of those readers already familiar with the details.

- Dick Burns,

Nantucket Atheneum 1 India Street, 228-1110

"Comets, Stars, the Moon and Mars" by Douglas Florian

Telling about planets, stars and other objects in space, poet Douglas Florian shares his verses and illustrations. The picture book format allows for expansive visuals which combine collage, drawing, painting and diagrammatic elements, while Florian's verses cleverly capture the essence of a subject and serve it to the reader in delicious bite-sized morsels. A poetry feast for eyes and ears of all ages.

- Maggie Head, Nantucket Atheneum