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redheadorganist's review
challenging
emotional
informative
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Colonisation, Infidelity, Classism, Misogyny, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Racism
Moderate: Slavery, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Gore, Child death, Death of parent, and Sexual content
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Animal death, Cancer, Murder, Abortion, Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug use, Homophobia, War, and Terminal illness
jennjoy's review against another edition
challenging
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
The book is truly remarkable, following the Master family from the 1600s to 2008, but the story is really about New York and the people that are affected by the many major events that Rutherford highlights. I found myself unfortunately really disliking the Master family descendents and enjoying the other family storyline more. But it was really the events in history that kept me coming back for more. it really bothered me that Hudsons family line ended and no further mention of them was made. Similarly, I felt there were other family lines that I would have liked to come down the years. What happened to the Boston Masters? The ODonnell family? And what about the Van Dycks from the beginning? I also hated that the Wampum didn't bring g good luck to Sarah, but I guess it gave good luck to Master when he gave it to her. I would have liked to have seen the Dutch coin come back and follow some more of the tribe. overall, too many loose ends to he satisfying but really loved the history.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism, Racial slurs, Slavery, and Racism
Minor: War
Our history is sometimes rough to read, even though it's true. Be ready for slavery and all that comes with it, and poor treatment of Jews, (as well as other groups.)
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