That is not to say, however, that it is not worth reading. “The Book of Air and Shadows” is a tour de force in that it takes on a subject that appears too often lately, by lesser authors, and it is so intricately sculpted that it makes all the others seem like mere pulp. The plot is driven by the discovery and retrieval of some letters penned in the time of William Shakespeare, and the Elizabethan language and style make them very interesting indeed. But are they authentic? And does the suggested “prize” they describe really exist?

Will anyone actually succeed at deciphering the cipher that holds the key? Well, yes and no. The reader will have to steel himself to a very careful reading of the ancient correspondence before he can even attempt to follow the machinations of the various groups of seekers of the mysterious prize to which the letters attest.

This reader was enthralled with Mr. Gruber's book, and the skill with which it is made not only readable but very, very, enjoyable. The characters are a delightful mixture of bumbling idiots and professorial literature addicts, and the author draws the two main characters, if one can identify them as such, in a humorous and brutally honest way so that the reader has a little difficulty in deciding whose side to take.

Strange marriages, very strange genealogical connections, and a variety of politic and social views mixed together with the author's gifted spoon and we have ----voila! – a delicious literary stew. I will leave it up to the reader to devour the more tasty bits and to leave what he will on his plate.

This reader, however, devoured it all and will eagerly await the next course to be served up by this brilliant writer. The author has created a book of air and shadows written about a book of air and shadows. Very highly recommended.
Review by Litera Scripta