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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
A long but terrific read. The characters and inter-weaves story lines were colorful and well-written. The historical narrative is perfectly blended with the fiction, reminiscent of another one of my favorite reads: Gone With The Wind. Dive in if you need a good escape!
Well written like his others but the choice to make an old money Dutch-English family the focal point here left a lot to be desired in terms of capturing the city's history and spirit. There are immigrant characters and characters of color but without the same sweeping arc the Masters get, which is a shame.
I am a massive Rutherfurd fan and again this book was simply wonderful.
The story of what is now New York, starts back in the 1600s with Dutch settlers and local traditional owners, and over centuries Rutherfurd takes the reader through generations of families that lived on this land. Their lives are intertwined over time, the plots intriguing, complex and so well researched.
We are taken through the War of Independence and the Civil War with the rivalries and factions on all sides. Immigration and its impact on the city, together with the gangs and their violence shows yet another side to the city and the influence this had on its development.
All through the narrative we are shown the difference between those with money and those without, those with old money and those with new, the privileged and those without.
This culminates in the 9/11 attacks on the city showing the tragedy and the consequent focus on the future.
The story of what is now New York, starts back in the 1600s with Dutch settlers and local traditional owners, and over centuries Rutherfurd takes the reader through generations of families that lived on this land. Their lives are intertwined over time, the plots intriguing, complex and so well researched.
We are taken through the War of Independence and the Civil War with the rivalries and factions on all sides. Immigration and its impact on the city, together with the gangs and their violence shows yet another side to the city and the influence this had on its development.
All through the narrative we are shown the difference between those with money and those without, those with old money and those with new, the privileged and those without.
This culminates in the 9/11 attacks on the city showing the tragedy and the consequent focus on the future.
I'd forgotten how much I love Rutherford's sweeping historical sagas. History lessons intertwined with delightful fictional tales, this time about a city so close to my heart.
This book is epic - literally. Spans the history of New York from the Dutch settlements of the 1600s through the effects of 9/11, following fictional families through the biggest events in the city's history. It's a commitment to read, but worth it.
This book was fascinating. It was so well researched and well written. I feel that I learned a ton, but I was thoroughly entertained the entire time I was reading. I can't wait to go back and read his other novels.
This book is wonderfully researched and a lovely read. There are parts that could have been shorter, but overall a delightful read.
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Enjoyable, but not as good as Ken Follett.
Too wordy and contrived. Situations and long-winded conversations that went no where. Just dropped off from the story line. Had potential, but alas.....