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bupdaddy's review
4.0
I got to the end of the book without knowing Charles Carter was a real magician in the golden age. Huh. Gold creates a satisfying weaving of history and fiction around the death of Warren Harding, and the life of Charles "Carter the Great." But the book couldn't quite decide what it wanted to be. It toyed a bit with magical realism, it thought about being a nice, thoughtful piece of general fiction, and then toward the end seemed to settle on being a swashbuckling tale of thrills and adventure. Ah well.
Now I don't know if I want to read [b:Sunnyside|4745776|Sunnyside|Glen David Gold|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1242098760s/4745776.jpg|4810410] or not, despite my love for Chaplin.
Now I don't know if I want to read [b:Sunnyside|4745776|Sunnyside|Glen David Gold|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1242098760s/4745776.jpg|4810410] or not, despite my love for Chaplin.
karenleagermain's review
2.0
I really wanted to like this book, but it just ended up being tedious. The first fifty pages or so, which wove history with fiction, were very intriguing and then it just sort of went off course. Various sections of the book and characters were fantastic, but overall it failed to catch my interest. I am surprised that I even bothered to read it all of the way through.
To be fair, there is something else that may have impeded my enjoyment of this book. I have an autographed copy. I went to a reading of author and his wife, Alice Sebold, a few years ago and my copy of this book has been on the shelf since. I was kind of nutty about reading it, not wanting to take it out of the house or eat around it...so it took me about a month to get through. I think I may have enjoyed it more, if I had gone through it in a day or two. I slowed down the momentum and it was difficult to read it in small spurts. I would give Gold another chance, if he comes out with another novel that looks appealing.
To be fair, there is something else that may have impeded my enjoyment of this book. I have an autographed copy. I went to a reading of author and his wife, Alice Sebold, a few years ago and my copy of this book has been on the shelf since. I was kind of nutty about reading it, not wanting to take it out of the house or eat around it...so it took me about a month to get through. I think I may have enjoyed it more, if I had gone through it in a day or two. I slowed down the momentum and it was difficult to read it in small spurts. I would give Gold another chance, if he comes out with another novel that looks appealing.
meganc30's review
4.0
I don't quite know how to review this one except to say that all the things you suspect might not work for you (e.g., a novel about a magician!) completely worked for me. I thought it was delightful to read.
bookish_wendy's review
3.0
The fact that it took me MONTHS to read this book is not a reflection of its worth. It is a lovely book. Long. A great story. I bit verbose in a few parts but overall well worth reading and an interesting snapshot in to a part of American history.
maireoverthere's review against another edition
5.0
Read this years ago and still get happy feelings whenever I see it mentioned. Such a fun book!
branch_c's review
3.0
I hope it's not a spoiler to say that I was impressed with the way everything came together at the end. Lots of writers attempt it, and not all succeed, so I want to give credit where it's due - the finale really works.
With disparate elements including the mystery surrounding the death of President Harding, the simmering rivalry between competing magicians, the invention of television, and of course the obligatory romantic storyline, you couldn't ask for a more satisfying climactic scene.
Having said that, however, it's a fairly long book, and the extensive setups for this glorious finale did get somewhat tedious. The plot and writing style reminded me a bit of Chabon's The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, but not quite as compelling. There were also a couple of unexpected POV shifts, which seemed out of place in this otherwise polished effort.
So, a mixed review on this one - interesting in some places, dull in others, but there's definitely a payoff if you stick with it.
With disparate elements including the mystery surrounding the death of President Harding, the simmering rivalry between competing magicians, the invention of television, and of course the obligatory romantic storyline, you couldn't ask for a more satisfying climactic scene.
Having said that, however, it's a fairly long book, and the extensive setups for this glorious finale did get somewhat tedious. The plot and writing style reminded me a bit of Chabon's The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, but not quite as compelling. There were also a couple of unexpected POV shifts, which seemed out of place in this otherwise polished effort.
So, a mixed review on this one - interesting in some places, dull in others, but there's definitely a payoff if you stick with it.
theshadowplay's review
5.0
A really good book and I would hilly recommend, though I will admit the plot is slow moving and non-existent at times. It's just so well written and the character of Carter is so interesting that it doesn't matter that it takes a while to get something going.
rocketiza's review
5.0
I bought this book because it was on a list, then saw it was often compared to the Adventures of Cavalier and Clay and thought "Oh great, it will be a good book that I don't actually enjoy." WRONG. This book was fantastic, the characters just leap off the page and you feel like you are right there living with them through the ups and downs. Full of adventure and emotion, go read it.
deeparcher's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of those rare books that makes you debate yourself every time you have to put it down to do the other things that come up in your life like work, paying attention to the people around you and sleeping. It's compellingly written, fun to read, and doesn't talk down to you. I hope to run into more books like this one.
adamrbrooks's review
I read this book once. I remember liking it, but it was long ago, so I can't even give it a real rating.