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justinkhchen's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars
An artfully written historical fiction about the private life of Andrew Haswell Green, aka 'the Father of Greater New York', a real-life historical figure who was responsible for many of New York's iconic landmarks (Central Park, the New York Public Library, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, to name a few).
Using his untimely demise as its point of entry (he was mistakenly targeted and killed at the age of 83), The Great Mistake presents a series of vignettes in two timelines, one following his upbringing and life experience, the other documenting the investigation to his murder. The novel is packed with thematic parallels and juxtapositions, painting Andrew as a man defined by series of life-changing 'mistakes', and a walking example of contradictions (extremely stolid and private, yet devoted to creating spaces to bring people together). The gentle prose has its moment of humor, which within the context of its melancholic content, becomes quite moving and poignant.
Readers looking for integration of history and fact will be slightly disappointed by The Great Mistake's narrative focus, which is very much exclusively a fantastical character study with loose ties to historical events, rather than an in-depth dramatization of Andrew Haswell Green's many accomplishments; if you're expecting a research-focused rundown on stories behind these famous structures, I can inform you they are basically nonexistent.
The Great Mistake is an immersive and tragically romantic interpretation of this rarely celebrated, yet important historical figure; even though it leans more fiction than fact, and is for sure a slow burn, it remains a journey worth experiencing — especially if you already have an affinity to New York and its various iconic sights.
**This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!**
An artfully written historical fiction about the private life of Andrew Haswell Green, aka 'the Father of Greater New York', a real-life historical figure who was responsible for many of New York's iconic landmarks (Central Park, the New York Public Library, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, to name a few).
Using his untimely demise as its point of entry (he was mistakenly targeted and killed at the age of 83), The Great Mistake presents a series of vignettes in two timelines, one following his upbringing and life experience, the other documenting the investigation to his murder. The novel is packed with thematic parallels and juxtapositions, painting Andrew as a man defined by series of life-changing 'mistakes', and a walking example of contradictions (extremely stolid and private, yet devoted to creating spaces to bring people together). The gentle prose has its moment of humor, which within the context of its melancholic content, becomes quite moving and poignant.
Readers looking for integration of history and fact will be slightly disappointed by The Great Mistake's narrative focus, which is very much exclusively a fantastical character study with loose ties to historical events, rather than an in-depth dramatization of Andrew Haswell Green's many accomplishments; if you're expecting a research-focused rundown on stories behind these famous structures, I can inform you they are basically nonexistent.
The Great Mistake is an immersive and tragically romantic interpretation of this rarely celebrated, yet important historical figure; even though it leans more fiction than fact, and is for sure a slow burn, it remains a journey worth experiencing — especially if you already have an affinity to New York and its various iconic sights.
**This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!**
fruhjahr's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
4.25
geektastically's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
This would normally not have been a book I would have picked up had it not been for my library's book club. I like to jump into the books without looking into what they're about or anything and just experience them.
My usual complaint about historical fiction is the balancing act of what's real and what's embellished from the author can make me stop and start googling rather than enjoying the story. The structure of this story caught my interest from the first chapter. Andrew Haswell Green became a real person that could have walked across the street from me as I read the rest of this story. But the author also makes other characters in the story feel just as acce sible. While it may not be their "real" stories or experiences, I don't think that's the point of reading a book like this. You start to look at non-fiction history in a different light considering what could be behind these people that we memorize facts and dates about.
The emotions and memories of Andrew's life and jumping back and forth between the events of his death and the life that made him the man that he was were my favorite dynamics of the book. The relationship between himself and his family, Mrs.Bray and Samuel is something I think most people can find a way to relate to.
The writing was succinct with a sense of irony and a smirk behind it. It didn't labor on details endlessly and was a fast read.
My usual complaint about historical fiction is the balancing act of what's real and what's embellished from the author can make me stop and start googling rather than enjoying the story. The structure of this story caught my interest from the first chapter. Andrew Haswell Green became a real person that could have walked across the street from me as I read the rest of this story. But the author also makes other characters in the story feel just as acce sible. While it may not be their "real" stories or experiences, I don't think that's the point of reading a book like this. You start to look at non-fiction history in a different light considering what could be behind these people that we memorize facts and dates about.
The emotions and memories of Andrew's life and jumping back and forth between the events of his death and the life that made him the man that he was were my favorite dynamics of the book. The relationship between himself and his family, Mrs.Bray and Samuel is something I think most people can find a way to relate to.
The writing was succinct with a sense of irony and a smirk behind it. It didn't labor on details endlessly and was a fast read.
candacesiegle_greedyreader's review against another edition
4.0
When I started "The Great Mistake," I thought Andrew Haswell Green must be a fictional character--how could one person be responsible for so much of what makes New York great? The public library, Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum were all developed by this man, who began life as a New England farm boy. Even though his achievements are mind-boggling, Andrew Green is best known for having been shot on the front steps of his home in 1903 by a Black man looking for "Mrs. Davis." Did Andrew Green know her? Who was she? Who was he for that matter?
I found the most intriguing part of this story the unlikeliness of this man's rise to fame. Unloved at home, sent to New York to apprentice at a general store, skinny, shy, attracted to men, uneducated, what did he have that rocketed him to the pinnacle of New York society?
Jonathan Lee balances Green's unlikely rise and surprising murder at age 83 nicely. Who was this man, companion of attorney and presidential candidate Samuel Tilden ("companion" is the right word--their relationship consisted of secretly holding hands or gentle shoulder touches) who reimagined the New York we know today?
"The Great Mistake" can be a little slow, but the story is so surprising that you'll stay with it. Thanks to Knopf and Netgalley for access to this title.
~~Candace Siegle, Greedy Reader.
I found the most intriguing part of this story the unlikeliness of this man's rise to fame. Unloved at home, sent to New York to apprentice at a general store, skinny, shy, attracted to men, uneducated, what did he have that rocketed him to the pinnacle of New York society?
Jonathan Lee balances Green's unlikely rise and surprising murder at age 83 nicely. Who was this man, companion of attorney and presidential candidate Samuel Tilden ("companion" is the right word--their relationship consisted of secretly holding hands or gentle shoulder touches) who reimagined the New York we know today?
"The Great Mistake" can be a little slow, but the story is so surprising that you'll stay with it. Thanks to Knopf and Netgalley for access to this title.
~~Candace Siegle, Greedy Reader.
antoniaklmt's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
djr100's review against another edition
4.0
4 1/2 stars. Loved this surprising historical novel. I had no previous knowledge of Andrew Harwell Green or his significant impact on New York public spaces and on the formation of NYC itself. What made this so enjoyable was the telling of this story while giving us a great character study of the man wrapped in a murder whodunnit.
akepps's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
schlotte's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
dale_in_va's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting bit of history about a historical person that I didn’t know much about. It was mildly engaging but I kept feeling as if much was left out due to the perspective the author decided to take.
Frankly I enjoyed the peripheral characters more than the main character and the story left me wanting to know more about Cornelius Williams and Hannah Elias than about Andrew Haswell Green.
Part of me wonders if Jonathan Lee would have written this book a bit differently post the “Black Lives Matters” movement. Because while Green’s goals to have Central Park and other NYC institutions accessible to people of all classes was very altruistic, it is well known that the construction of Central park displaced traditionally black settlements. I guess it just highlights how nothing is quite black and white when it comes to public policy and politics.
Frankly I enjoyed the peripheral characters more than the main character and the story left me wanting to know more about Cornelius Williams and Hannah Elias than about Andrew Haswell Green.
Part of me wonders if Jonathan Lee would have written this book a bit differently post the “Black Lives Matters” movement. Because while Green’s goals to have Central Park and other NYC institutions accessible to people of all classes was very altruistic, it is well known that the construction of Central park displaced traditionally black settlements. I guess it just highlights how nothing is quite black and white when it comes to public policy and politics.