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lnel's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
duparker's review against another edition
3.0
Good story. Not something I would have gravitated towards, but I enjoyed it. The anxiety of the character worked well and the use of Brooklyn facts was a good additive. The Ellis character was a pretty thin character and could have been more in the flesh. Other than that, it was a positive read.
lonestarwords's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.5
She would tip too lavishly in the deli counter cup when she stopped for a coffee to warm her hands, because being so close to so many people could, after all, be so very lonely.
Unseen City
Amy Shearn
•
I’ve decided to look for the bookish silver lining this year instead of lamenting the lack of new releases that make me want to run to the bookstore. So the silver lining is finding backlist books that I might never have otherwise stumbled upon.
•
In a desperate search for an audiobook the other day, I was scrolling through my Goodreads TBR and came across a curated list called “The Best NYC Books.” Enter Unseen City, a 2020 release that clearly flew way under the radar.
•
This book wears many hats and goes in unexpected directions. It is first the story of Meg, a self proclaimed “spinster librarian” living in Brooklyn and working at the Brooklyn Collection. The setting of this book was so well drawn - you know I search high and low for NYC books and this is one of the better. The story quickly becomes a dual timeline narrative when Meg meets a library patron named Ellis who is searching for the history of his family’s very old Brooklyn home.
•
We then go on a bit of a literary ghost hunt as Meg and Ellis join forces to uncover the history behind this Civil War era home. Both Meg and Ellis are processing the loss of loved ones and believe strongly in the presence of their spirits. At first I wasn’t sure this back and forth was going to work, but the author allows the house to become a character and it adds a very unique layer to this fairly ambitious book. When I reviewed North Woods, I raved about the way Mason allowed a house to have a life and what happens between these pages is very similar- that is high praise.
•
I think the story could have been a bit tighter, but I was never bored and I loved the fact that so many elements worked together: an NYC setting complete with lots of literary references, a bit of historical fiction, a ghost story, all wrapped up with some very solid writing.
•
Oh, and this cover!
Unseen City
Amy Shearn
•
I’ve decided to look for the bookish silver lining this year instead of lamenting the lack of new releases that make me want to run to the bookstore. So the silver lining is finding backlist books that I might never have otherwise stumbled upon.
•
In a desperate search for an audiobook the other day, I was scrolling through my Goodreads TBR and came across a curated list called “The Best NYC Books.” Enter Unseen City, a 2020 release that clearly flew way under the radar.
•
This book wears many hats and goes in unexpected directions. It is first the story of Meg, a self proclaimed “spinster librarian” living in Brooklyn and working at the Brooklyn Collection. The setting of this book was so well drawn - you know I search high and low for NYC books and this is one of the better. The story quickly becomes a dual timeline narrative when Meg meets a library patron named Ellis who is searching for the history of his family’s very old Brooklyn home.
•
We then go on a bit of a literary ghost hunt as Meg and Ellis join forces to uncover the history behind this Civil War era home. Both Meg and Ellis are processing the loss of loved ones and believe strongly in the presence of their spirits. At first I wasn’t sure this back and forth was going to work, but the author allows the house to become a character and it adds a very unique layer to this fairly ambitious book. When I reviewed North Woods, I raved about the way Mason allowed a house to have a life and what happens between these pages is very similar- that is high praise.
•
I think the story could have been a bit tighter, but I was never bored and I loved the fact that so many elements worked together: an NYC setting complete with lots of literary references, a bit of historical fiction, a ghost story, all wrapped up with some very solid writing.
•
Oh, and this cover!
elctrc's review against another edition
5.0
A wonderfully researched and told story. It's been hard for me to find a book that I am excited to pick up each night and this book hit the spot! I looked forward to Meg's inner monologue and the fully realized descriptions of a New York nearly lost from memory.
lower222's review against another edition
3.0
A beautifully written ghost story/love story/family story. It felt a little like a coming-of-age novel about a middle-aged woman who had been stuck in her grief and carefully controlled life. The book was slow-going for me with plenty of reminiscing and ruminating, but the ending was so well done that I forgive any boring parts in the middle. I wish the two different timelines hadn’t been quite so disjointed. The past was fascinating and really brought the history of free African Americans in the Boston area to life; I just wanted more of it. The dialogue was pitch perfect, and the scenes between the modern grieving siblings and their parents were so funny and real. I loved the character of the house too.
jchant's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
A complex and intriguing novel that is a ghost story, an exploration of grief, historical fiction, and more, all set in Civil War New York City and present-day Brooklyn. Recommended.
Kimberly M. Wetherell and Karen Chilton were excellent narrators for this audiobook.
Kimberly M. Wetherell and Karen Chilton were excellent narrators for this audiobook.
moomin333's review against another edition
2.0
DNF 30% in- way way too family drama oriented and it just wasn’t working for me.
caitlyn888's review against another edition
5.0
This book delivered way more than I was expecting, and I enjoyed it from page one to the very end. Not only could I relate to the main character (a self-reliant librarian with no kids who frequently speaks to her deceased relatives), but I also loved the dual timelines of Brooklyn and all its rich history.
It's a thoughtful book on family, race, age, and grief. I also liked how open-ended it was at the end, leaving me with so many questions that I want to explore with fellow readers.
It's a thoughtful book on family, race, age, and grief. I also liked how open-ended it was at the end, leaving me with so many questions that I want to explore with fellow readers.
pdeepti05's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
thain's review against another edition
4.0
Quirky ghost story that delves into Brooklyn’s history and racial heritage. A self-proclaimed spinster librarian helps a library patron research a house owned by his family that may be part of
the forgotten free Black community of Weeksville from the 19th century that was absorbed into Crown Heights. A second timeline follows a Black girl who ended up in the house - and never left. Her reason for not moving on was a bit murky, but her story was compelling.
the forgotten free Black community of Weeksville from the 19th century that was absorbed into Crown Heights. A second timeline follows a Black girl who ended up in the house - and never left. Her reason for not moving on was a bit murky, but her story was compelling.