Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
I wanted to love this book. I love New York, I love history but I do not love New York the novel. There were several problems for me with this book: It follows the same family from 1600s to 2000s. Unfortunately most of the people in the family are not super likable. I find that a problem when I am reading a book that feels like a bunch of short stories strewn together. 2) You get somewhat invested in a character and the author dropped their story line - only to skip forward one or two generations. Very, very annoying. 3) While I quite enjoyed some of the history - I did graduate in American Studies so I have learned most of this already but of course forgot it - a lot of it was boring. I would have been better off reading a real history book. I liked learning about the strikes and what happened at Ellis Island and about the Revolutionary War but parts were really long and very boring. 4) Because the author focused on one family - a very wealthy family - you didn't learn about the many other wonderful cultures and peoples who populated the city from the beginning. Yes, at first you learn about the slave trade and the Dutch. It felt like the stories about the Irish, Italian and Jewish were gratuitous. they were the most likable people in the book but you got shortchanged on their story. All in all the book was okay. For 786 pages I really wanted more. I think New York deserves more. Kind of a bummer.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
What a difficult book to review! When I started it I felt it would be a three star book at best. But as time went on I found myself engrossed. Because the book covers such a long time period certain segments are,more interesting than others. But the ending was so moving that I had to give it 4 stars. I recommend this book for American history buffs and fans of a good family saga.
I LOVED this novel! No surprise though, Edward Rutherfurd never disappoints. Starting in the 1600's and ending in 2009, the novel follows a family and those who interacted with them through the years. It's beautifully written and the characters just come to life. I could hardly put this down and at 1000+ pages that makes for some sore arms! LOL Mr. Rutherfurd just has such an amazing way of combining fact with fiction and making an enjoyable and compelling read. I can't wait to see what he comes up with next!
challenging
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I didn’t love this as much as Paris, or Forest. I have no problem with the decades that chose to highlight - I think he picked the right eras to focus on New York City - but as we moved through the years we became totally focused on the Masters family - losing all sight of the Native Americans who lived there (which would be challenging with New York as the title) - pushing the Caruso connection to the obstetrician that delivered the Masters’ children - the Keller family story gets pulled down to Katie Keller catering for Masters. Other families just disappear as the story goes on - leaving the focus on old money instead of the blend of New York City.
I blame his editors for the chapter on September of 2001. I can hear them: “Ed - you can’t write a book about New York City and not include something about 9/11”. Sarah Adler’s advice to Gotham was wonderful - but the tease that we might lose Maggie Masters became an eye roll for me.
Enjoyed the beginning - but thought the chapters from Brooklyn (1953) on were too much Charlie and Gorham.
I blame his editors for the chapter on September of 2001. I can hear them: “Ed - you can’t write a book about New York City and not include something about 9/11”. Sarah Adler’s advice to Gotham was wonderful - but the tease that we might lose Maggie Masters became an eye roll for me.
Enjoyed the beginning - but thought the chapters from Brooklyn (1953) on were too much Charlie and Gorham.
It was a little confusing getting into the book as it seemed to pass time quickly. Once I realized that it was going to cover such a long period it made more sense. It was a good book that kept things tied together through time in an interesting and fast paced way. It was wonderful to see how all the major events of time (specifically those that impacted New York) were met with, lived through, and dealt with by the characters (the families) in the novel. A different read, due to the large amount of time covered in the book, than most novels, but wonderful.
Even though it’s over 800 pages – this book isn’t long enough.
The first 3/4 ths of it is brilliant. It takes a Brit to tell American history like it is. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the chapter called Moonlight Sonata. I’d been spending the chapter or two before that wondering how he was going to cover the Civil War and the way Rutherford did it was masterful. But then after that you were already at page 500, and so the 1900s – 2000s felt totally rushed. All the 20th century wars were afterthoughts – blips of conversations really. I wish he’d carried on like he had with the first 500 pages and just turned it into a much longer book.
That said – I loved it and will be reading all of his other works!
The first 3/4 ths of it is brilliant. It takes a Brit to tell American history like it is. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the chapter called Moonlight Sonata. I’d been spending the chapter or two before that wondering how he was going to cover the Civil War and the way Rutherford did it was masterful. But then after that you were already at page 500, and so the 1900s – 2000s felt totally rushed. All the 20th century wars were afterthoughts – blips of conversations really. I wish he’d carried on like he had with the first 500 pages and just turned it into a much longer book.
That said – I loved it and will be reading all of his other works!
adventurous
hopeful
informative
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
excellent read
Not read a Rutherford book before. Really enjoyed the scope and depth of this. Loved how the generations mingled. Will definitely read another book by this author.
Not read a Rutherford book before. Really enjoyed the scope and depth of this. Loved how the generations mingled. Will definitely read another book by this author.