This story started out very interesting, bogged down a bit in the middle and then redeemed itself in the end. I love books about books and THIS book did not disappoint. With a tale that spans the 1500's to present day, it weaves a tale of Shakespeare himself, of a family and friends torn apart by jealousy, greed revenge in the late 1800's and a present day book collector trying to bury himself in his books and work to avoid dealing with the loss of his soul mate. A journey of words, an act of deceit and many lifetimes lived in darkness -- put them together and you have the making of The Bookman's Tale.