Lovingly written and lavishly illustrated.

He traces the four-century age of the medieval manuscript and its longer afterlife through the lives of its makers and collectors. Exceptional in expertise, graceful in style and illustrated as vividly as its subject, this book is a masterpiece..

De Hamel also re-creates what it would be like to meet and converse with each of his fellow enthusiasts for medieval missals, Books of Hours, scrolls and codices. Opinions may obviously differ, but I occasionally found these imaginary dialogues just a bit twee. That cavil aside, everything else about The Manuscripts Club is absolutely riveting.

De Hamel’s book is lavishly illustrated and unfailingly engaging. It is a love letter to collectors across nearly 10 centuries, written by an expert, imbued with passion for his subject.

Fascinating and multilayered.