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districtreads's review
5.0
One of the better historical fiction novels I’ve read this decade. Deserves all my praise and more. Loved the vivid depictions of early New York and San Francisco.
sharonmac's review
3.0
I saw this in a favorite indie bookstore whose recommendations are usually on point. It was flagged as an up and coming book club favorite. Now, my book club would kick me out if I presented them with a 600+ page book to read, but I was intrigued by this epic historical fiction offering. Three stars for this story about Belle Cora, a child of a wealthy merchant family turned orphaned farm girl turned successful San Francisco madam. Overall a good story although at least 200 pages too long. Belle was an interesting character but the dramatic impact of her story was just lost in this too long book.
namaahlien's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
enutzman's review
5.0
I thought this was a great book. It read really quickly despite it's length and I was really drawn in by the characters. I think it was the cover art that drew me to this book, but I'm glad I read it.
smalika's review
emotional
informative
slow-paced
3.5
really loved the topic and overall plot but i felt it could be shorter. it was quite the marathon to slog through by the end
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest and Rape
kscandone28's review against another edition
3.0
Three stars. Barely. This book could've been 200+ pages shorter and would've accomplished more. The first 100 pages were muddled through. "Books" three through five probably had the best action and story lines, but even those grew tiresome, as they seemed to drag on. I know this novel had a lot of rave reviews but I probably would not recommend it unless you're into longwinded historical fiction.
abby_writes's review against another edition
Decent historical fiction with a San Francisco twist. However, I skimmed some of the end that began to talk about politics. Escapist reading, to be sure.
reviewsmayvary's review against another edition
3.0
This book, "loosely" based on a real women, starts with the main character as a child, growing up with a consumptive mother and a often- absent-for -work father. It follows her falls and rises and trips and eventual material and romantic successes as she becomes one of the richest madams of her time. It kind of reminded me of a tree grows in Brooklyn in style. Great gender studies fodder, as sex work often is. Speaking of which, there wasn't much sex, lots of "after we were done" and stuff like that.
jmarcorandolph's review against another edition
2.0
I have to admit, I skim-read a lot of this book. The details were beautifully written, but 600 pages is a bit much for a book that is filled with tragedy and shame. I was just ready to move on. I would read another of his works, though.