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jwells's review against another edition
reflective
tense
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Interesting book that is hard to sum up. Although we are never closely inside any one character's point of view, Doctorow is somehow sensitive to each of the very different characters that he writes. It's a shame that we don't get Sarah's point of view. I found her the hardest to understand, and she might have been more interesting and sympathetic than some of the other characters we spend time with.
The tvtropes.com entry for this book describes it as "ridiculously detailed" which amused me. I suppose the person who added that was thinking of passages such as Tateh's train trip. The writing was closely linked to Tateh's state of mind, not thinking ahead as "Tateh took a series of trains until he got to Boston" might indicate, but staying in the moment as he took each one as far as it went, getting out where he had to, only then deciding what to do next. All of the writing in this book is very closely reflective of the character's state of mind in the moment, even though we don't get a lot of interior voice, like you would with a closer POV. The details are purposeful, I guess is what I'm saying (whether or not they are ridiculous). It's a way to get to know all of these characters without it feeling like disorienting head hopping, as it might if we were in close POV with one character, then another, then another.
The tvtropes.com entry for this book describes it as "ridiculously detailed" which amused me. I suppose the person who added that was thinking of passages such as Tateh's train trip. The writing was closely linked to Tateh's state of mind, not thinking ahead as "Tateh took a series of trains until he got to Boston" might indicate, but staying in the moment as he took each one as far as it went, getting out where he had to, only then deciding what to do next. All of the writing in this book is very closely reflective of the character's state of mind in the moment, even though we don't get a lot of interior voice, like you would with a closer POV. The details are purposeful, I guess is what I'm saying (whether or not they are ridiculous). It's a way to get to know all of these characters without it feeling like disorienting head hopping, as it might if we were in close POV with one character, then another, then another.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexual content
A baby is abandoned but rescued. Use of the n-word. Racist characters being assholes.karasin's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Racism, and Racial slurs
donxmore's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
1.0
A single chapter ruined this entire book for me
Mother's Younger Brother stalks Evelyn Nesbit. Evelyn goes to an activst rally, where Emma Goldman speaks. A fight breaks out at the rally, and Emma drags Evelyn to her own apartment for safety. Unbenowst to them, Mother's Younger Brother follows and hides in Emma's closet. For <i>some</i> reason (read: horny male writer), these two women get naked and massage each other. Mother's Younger Brother watches them, the closet door slightly ajar. He gets riled up, bursts out of the closet, and cums all over these poor women. Nasty 🤮 This scene is never mentioned again. There are no consequences. There is no impact on the characters. There is no purpose for this scene. Why the fuck is it in this novel??? Why the fuck would E. L. Doctorow want to purposely gouge out my own eyes like this???
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Stalking and Racism
dashboardlights24601's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Classism, Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Hate crime, and Gun violence
Moderate: Xenophobia, Violence, Sexual content, Colonisation, Infidelity, Domestic abuse, Excrement, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Sexism, Religious bigotry, and Adult/minor relationship
gagne's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Murder, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Stalking, Violence, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Alcoholism, Blood, Death, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
ladydisdain's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is absolutely a difficult read in 2020, and it should be. In terms of the heart rending social story, I do think the musical is a bit more successful- doesn't suffer from as much 1970s Male Writer (tm tm tm) as the source material- but the overall lyrical, almost dream like quality of narration is worth the read if you're up for it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, Misogyny, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Xenophobia
This is a book written in the 1970s about the relationship between affluent white families, poor black families, and Jewish immigrant families in the early 1900s. Whatever level of slurs and casual racism, anti-semitism, zenophobia, and sexism you are currently expecting is correct. It is also centered on an act of police brutality and the public response to an innocent black person's death. Unfortunately, Doctorow can now be considered ahead of his time in his handling of this subject as the mirror to current/recent instances of police brutality is polished bright. This book has as much potential to be intensely triggering as to be cathartic- if you're the kind of person who looks to fiction to get away from headlines, this book awaits a brighter world.
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