The Mystery of the Milton Manuscript by Barry M. Libin

This is one of those delight surprises you find in your to be read pile.  I agreed to review this book without really knowing what I was getting.   This is a very thought provoking book that questions the motivations of Milton's epic poem, Paradise Lost.

I was aware of Milton and his work but was never enamored of it.  I happen to be sitting beside a Brit at a social event and asked her if she was familiar with Milton.   Her response was emotional and vehement, "Oh, my yes, who isn't?  He is very important to the English."    So I guess my indifference to his work is indicative of my shallowness.   I enjoyed Robert Frost and merely tolerated Milton.    To my surprise there is world wide interest in Milton and what he meant in his poem.  About 887,000 results (0.43 seconds)  is what you get if you Google, Milton Paradise Lost.   That is a pretty hefty number and certainly indicates interest.

The novel has a Dan Brown feel of conspiracy and complexity.   Keith Jessup, a PhD student is thrust in to murder and mayhem by his interest in Milton.    The story line involves murder and intrigue with a sinister centuries old cabal suppressing any additions to the thoughts of Milton.

The book gets wordy at times but certainly holds your interest and incites thought.   I suspect that anyone who has more than a cursorily interest in Milton's writings will be intrigued by the book.

I enjoyed it.

Web site: none found

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.