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hinesight's review against another edition
4.0
Oh, this man can tell a story! I am loving this book, so much so that I'm reading very slowly, so that I can savor it.
jarichan's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
ols_333's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
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
4.0
7seventythree3's review against another edition
4.0
This one was recommended by a friend and wow, what a ride.
So much packed into one story: The harsh backdrop of a city in conflict, Boston after WWI, Police, deadly influenza, racial tensions, threats of strikes, Bolsheviks, anarchists, misused laborers, bombings, family tensions, molasses, riots, romance, and more. For me, it had a mixed mood of “The Departed” and “Peaky Blinders.” Every time I picked up the book to read I’d smile and start humming “Shipping up to Boston.”
I thought the main characters were well formed. Danny a white Irish cop in Boston who befriends Luther, a black male, on the run from an event in his past. These are the two men who lead us through this story with a little side action from Babe Ruth, as well as Nora (Danny’s love interest), and Lila (Luther’s wife).
It was a pleasure to read Boston's historical events of the time. Per usual, I was inspired to hastily research some people, maps, pictures, and incidents that were mentioned. I’ve had experience in class-action grievances and negotiations within my own unions and therefore thought Danny’s involvement in the formation of the Police union was interesting. This will not be the case for everyone I’m sure, judging by how many glazed eyes I’ve seen over the years after the word union has been spoken.
As much as I liked all of that it still spoke to my romantic heart as well. Finding that small light in the depths of that dark time. Luther searching for his former life, his lady. I was captivated by Danny and Nora’s turbulent love story (stayed up way too late one night reading because of these two). Caught between his expectations and her shaky past. Will he come to the end of himself and finally come for her? And ohhhh, that dang button…..
One of my favorite lines which was speaking about the friendship between Luther, Danny, and Nora while spending time together on a rooftop: “It felt to Danny, when the three of them were together like this, that they were beating the world at something.” I knew just what he meant here. I’ve felt this sentiment and thought he phrased it nicely.
Flaws: I think he could have dialed down the language a tad and we still would have had a clear picture (if you are sensitive to harsh language this may not be your book), he’s slightly preachy? The opposing view characters were over the top evil which makes it just a bit less convincing.
Very action packed and exciting book. There is a lot more there (700 pages worth), but with so much going on it is hard to stay concise. I'd read more from him.
So much packed into one story: The harsh backdrop of a city in conflict, Boston after WWI, Police, deadly influenza, racial tensions, threats of strikes, Bolsheviks, anarchists, misused laborers, bombings, family tensions, molasses, riots, romance, and more. For me, it had a mixed mood of “The Departed” and “Peaky Blinders.” Every time I picked up the book to read I’d smile and start humming “Shipping up to Boston.”
I thought the main characters were well formed. Danny a white Irish cop in Boston who befriends Luther, a black male, on the run from an event in his past. These are the two men who lead us through this story with a little side action from Babe Ruth, as well as Nora (Danny’s love interest), and Lila (Luther’s wife).
It was a pleasure to read Boston's historical events of the time. Per usual, I was inspired to hastily research some people, maps, pictures, and incidents that were mentioned. I’ve had experience in class-action grievances and negotiations within my own unions and therefore thought Danny’s involvement in the formation of the Police union was interesting. This will not be the case for everyone I’m sure, judging by how many glazed eyes I’ve seen over the years after the word union has been spoken.
As much as I liked all of that it still spoke to my romantic heart as well. Finding that small light in the depths of that dark time. Luther searching for his former life, his lady. I was captivated by Danny and Nora’s turbulent love story (stayed up way too late one night reading because of these two). Caught between his expectations and her shaky past. Will he come to the end of himself and finally come for her? And ohhhh, that dang button…..
One of my favorite lines which was speaking about the friendship between Luther, Danny, and Nora while spending time together on a rooftop: “It felt to Danny, when the three of them were together like this, that they were beating the world at something.” I knew just what he meant here. I’ve felt this sentiment and thought he phrased it nicely.
Flaws: I think he could have dialed down the language a tad and we still would have had a clear picture (if you are sensitive to harsh language this may not be your book), he’s slightly preachy? The opposing view characters were over the top evil which makes it just a bit less convincing.
Very action packed and exciting book. There is a lot more there (700 pages worth), but with so much going on it is hard to stay concise. I'd read more from him.
brghreader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
kratliff89's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
bobednj's review against another edition
4.0
A good story by a great writer that gave a personalized account of what it was like being a cop living in Boston in the early 20th century. Enjoyed descriptions of places I know, such as Parker House, Fanueil Hall, Storrow (Storrow Drive), and the North End.
chloekg's review against another edition
4.0
Dennis Lehane is a sensual prose-writer worth making time for in this work-life unbalance so many people trudge through. Historical, imaginative, human, and a little bit ideal, this tale of Boston cops on strike will teach, entertain, and give an escape from what is.
billymac1962's review against another edition
4.0
So far in his relatively early career, Dennis Lehane has given us a stellar crime series and a few other great novels (Shutter Island, which I loved, and Mystic River, which I haven't read because I saw and loved the movie).
Unless he outdoes himself on this one, The Given Day will go down as his Great American Novel.
The Given Day is set in 1919 Boston, and you would think that with the end of the Great War, times would be roaring and booming. Not so. America is in a state of civil unrest, with workers striking across the country, and the continent (Montreal) for that matter, as well. In Boston, policemen make less than janitors and are called upon to put their lives on the line for upwards of 70 hours a week. Unions are the day's four-letter word, their members looked upon as Bolsheviks, communists.
The story jumps between two families, the white Coughlins, whose father is a BPD captain, and his son a respected copper, and Luther Laurence, a black man trying to make a life for himself and his girlfriend.
Interspersed through these chapters we follow the career of Babe Ruth. Awesome. In fact, the novel starts of with him barfing off the caboose of a train. How great is that?
For a 700 page novel, it sure didn't feel that way. The great thing about a story with separate storylines is that each time you get back to the people you left behind a couple of chapters ago, it sets you off with renewed interest in their story.
This was a fine novel, and I learned a lot about the history of Boston during this time (I had no idea this stuff had happened).
Dennis Lehane continues to be a can't-miss writer. He has had three of his novels put to the big screen to high acclaim, and I have a very strong feeling this one will make it there too. It will make a magnificent movie.
Unless he outdoes himself on this one, The Given Day will go down as his Great American Novel.
The Given Day is set in 1919 Boston, and you would think that with the end of the Great War, times would be roaring and booming. Not so. America is in a state of civil unrest, with workers striking across the country, and the continent (Montreal) for that matter, as well. In Boston, policemen make less than janitors and are called upon to put their lives on the line for upwards of 70 hours a week. Unions are the day's four-letter word, their members looked upon as Bolsheviks, communists.
The story jumps between two families, the white Coughlins, whose father is a BPD captain, and his son a respected copper, and Luther Laurence, a black man trying to make a life for himself and his girlfriend.
Interspersed through these chapters we follow the career of Babe Ruth. Awesome. In fact, the novel starts of with him barfing off the caboose of a train. How great is that?
For a 700 page novel, it sure didn't feel that way. The great thing about a story with separate storylines is that each time you get back to the people you left behind a couple of chapters ago, it sets you off with renewed interest in their story.
This was a fine novel, and I learned a lot about the history of Boston during this time (I had no idea this stuff had happened).
Dennis Lehane continues to be a can't-miss writer. He has had three of his novels put to the big screen to high acclaim, and I have a very strong feeling this one will make it there too. It will make a magnificent movie.