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jimbowen0306's review against another edition
3.0
The Given Day is a strange book, it's written by the guy who wrote Mystic River, Shutter Island and Gone Baby Gone. This book, however, is very different from those books.
I don't know if anyone has read Oil! by Upton Sinclair. It was radically reworked as "There Will Be Blood" in 2007 and starred Daniel Day-Lewis. The book (rather than the film) focused on the rich/poor unionised dynamic of the West Coast Oil industry.
This book, despite it having a sprinkling of race involvement, looks at the rich/poor dynamics of the Boston Police Force (policemen were hideously treated in 1918 and we get the build up to the Boston PD strike here). Consequently it reminded me strongly of Oil!
I'm not sure what to think of this book. It's long, granted, and I'm not sure what the point of it was given how much it reminded me of Oil!, but it's interesting and will open your eyes to what happened to the left (and race politics) in America at the time.
I don't know if anyone has read Oil! by Upton Sinclair. It was radically reworked as "There Will Be Blood" in 2007 and starred Daniel Day-Lewis. The book (rather than the film) focused on the rich/poor unionised dynamic of the West Coast Oil industry.
This book, despite it having a sprinkling of race involvement, looks at the rich/poor dynamics of the Boston Police Force (policemen were hideously treated in 1918 and we get the build up to the Boston PD strike here). Consequently it reminded me strongly of Oil!
I'm not sure what to think of this book. It's long, granted, and I'm not sure what the point of it was given how much it reminded me of Oil!, but it's interesting and will open your eyes to what happened to the left (and race politics) in America at the time.
kathydavie's review against another edition
1.0
Long, drawn-out, couldn't-wait-to-be-done story about the Boston Police Strike back in 1919.
hinesight's review against another edition
4.0
Oh, this man can tell a story! I am loving this book, so much so that I'm reading very slowly, so that I can savor it.
jarichan's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
ols_333's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
7seventythree3's review against another edition
4.0
This one was recommended by a friend and wow, what a ride.
So much packed into one story: The harsh backdrop of a city in conflict, Boston after WWI, Police, deadly influenza, racial tensions, threats of strikes, Bolsheviks, anarchists, misused laborers, bombings, family tensions, molasses, riots, romance, and more. For me, it had a mixed mood of “The Departed” and “Peaky Blinders.” Every time I picked up the book to read I’d smile and start humming “Shipping up to Boston.”
I thought the main characters were well formed. Danny a white Irish cop in Boston who befriends Luther, a black male, on the run from an event in his past. These are the two men who lead us through this story with a little side action from Babe Ruth, as well as Nora (Danny’s love interest), and Lila (Luther’s wife).
It was a pleasure to read Boston's historical events of the time. Per usual, I was inspired to hastily research some people, maps, pictures, and incidents that were mentioned. I’ve had experience in class-action grievances and negotiations within my own unions and therefore thought Danny’s involvement in the formation of the Police union was interesting. This will not be the case for everyone I’m sure, judging by how many glazed eyes I’ve seen over the years after the word union has been spoken.
As much as I liked all of that it still spoke to my romantic heart as well. Finding that small light in the depths of that dark time. Luther searching for his former life, his lady. I was captivated by Danny and Nora’s turbulent love story (stayed up way too late one night reading because of these two). Caught between his expectations and her shaky past. Will he come to the end of himself and finally come for her? And ohhhh, that dang button…..
One of my favorite lines which was speaking about the friendship between Luther, Danny, and Nora while spending time together on a rooftop: “It felt to Danny, when the three of them were together like this, that they were beating the world at something.” I knew just what he meant here. I’ve felt this sentiment and thought he phrased it nicely.
Flaws: I think he could have dialed down the language a tad and we still would have had a clear picture (if you are sensitive to harsh language this may not be your book), he’s slightly preachy? The opposing view characters were over the top evil which makes it just a bit less convincing.
Very action packed and exciting book. There is a lot more there (700 pages worth), but with so much going on it is hard to stay concise. I'd read more from him.
So much packed into one story: The harsh backdrop of a city in conflict, Boston after WWI, Police, deadly influenza, racial tensions, threats of strikes, Bolsheviks, anarchists, misused laborers, bombings, family tensions, molasses, riots, romance, and more. For me, it had a mixed mood of “The Departed” and “Peaky Blinders.” Every time I picked up the book to read I’d smile and start humming “Shipping up to Boston.”
I thought the main characters were well formed. Danny a white Irish cop in Boston who befriends Luther, a black male, on the run from an event in his past. These are the two men who lead us through this story with a little side action from Babe Ruth, as well as Nora (Danny’s love interest), and Lila (Luther’s wife).
It was a pleasure to read Boston's historical events of the time. Per usual, I was inspired to hastily research some people, maps, pictures, and incidents that were mentioned. I’ve had experience in class-action grievances and negotiations within my own unions and therefore thought Danny’s involvement in the formation of the Police union was interesting. This will not be the case for everyone I’m sure, judging by how many glazed eyes I’ve seen over the years after the word union has been spoken.
As much as I liked all of that it still spoke to my romantic heart as well. Finding that small light in the depths of that dark time. Luther searching for his former life, his lady. I was captivated by Danny and Nora’s turbulent love story (stayed up way too late one night reading because of these two). Caught between his expectations and her shaky past. Will he come to the end of himself and finally come for her? And ohhhh, that dang button…..
One of my favorite lines which was speaking about the friendship between Luther, Danny, and Nora while spending time together on a rooftop: “It felt to Danny, when the three of them were together like this, that they were beating the world at something.” I knew just what he meant here. I’ve felt this sentiment and thought he phrased it nicely.
Flaws: I think he could have dialed down the language a tad and we still would have had a clear picture (if you are sensitive to harsh language this may not be your book), he’s slightly preachy? The opposing view characters were over the top evil which makes it just a bit less convincing.
Very action packed and exciting book. There is a lot more there (700 pages worth), but with so much going on it is hard to stay concise. I'd read more from him.
brghreader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
kratliff89's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
bobednj's review against another edition
4.0
A good story by a great writer that gave a personalized account of what it was like being a cop living in Boston in the early 20th century. Enjoyed descriptions of places I know, such as Parker House, Fanueil Hall, Storrow (Storrow Drive), and the North End.
chloekg's review against another edition
4.0
Dennis Lehane is a sensual prose-writer worth making time for in this work-life unbalance so many people trudge through. Historical, imaginative, human, and a little bit ideal, this tale of Boston cops on strike will teach, entertain, and give an escape from what is.