Great House

This title of the latest novel by Nicole Krauss is a biblical reference to the House of David. The novel abounds with literary, historic and religious references but it is essentially an exploration of feelings of belonging and loss. Great house is composed of four inter-related stories narrated in two sections. The common thread is a huge desk that is special to many of the characters and forms an essential part of their lives and their creativity.

This book demands deep reading but you are rewarded with allusions and insights and a whole raft of quotable comments. I am still pondering over "I would not pass on a book that I had especially loved to another"

Krauss's previous novel The History of love similarly uncovers layers of meaning through analysing characters' reactions to events. Try both of these if you want an engrossing read.