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greglhoward's review against another edition
4.0
I think many young boys might dream of growing up to be like the protagonist. Harry is Harvard-educated, is a World War II veteran, falls in love with an heiress/Broadway actress, and inherits a company in which he gets to be a "job-creator." But the most unbelievable thing about him (and perhaps what I most envy) is his lack of any moral uncertainty in the face of difficult decisions. Even at dinner parties, Harry can immediately tell who the "good" and "bad" people are; what a skill!
So how does Helprin write a 700 page book without seriously discussing any moral struggles in Harry's mind? By constantly being blown away by the beauty of New York City (and Catherine, the heiress). It's what made [b:Winter's Tale|12967|Winter's Tale|Mark Helprin|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1442048864s/12967.jpg|1965767] good, and it works well here too. "Lyrical" is the word everyone uses to describe Helprin's writing, and it's a good word, but I like "awe-inspired." The writing-style is infectious. Reading it, I feel like I'm seeing post-World-War-II New York through Harry's rose-colored glasses, and I love it.
So I'm giving this book 4 stars for the descriptions of the city. Don't read it for the absurd love story, or the simplistic plot, or the straightforward characters. Read it for the awe-inspired writing, and if you don't like it after a couple pages put it down because it's not going to be like that for 700 pages.
So how does Helprin write a 700 page book without seriously discussing any moral struggles in Harry's mind? By constantly being blown away by the beauty of New York City (and Catherine, the heiress). It's what made [b:Winter's Tale|12967|Winter's Tale|Mark Helprin|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1442048864s/12967.jpg|1965767] good, and it works well here too. "Lyrical" is the word everyone uses to describe Helprin's writing, and it's a good word, but I like "awe-inspired." The writing-style is infectious. Reading it, I feel like I'm seeing post-World-War-II New York through Harry's rose-colored glasses, and I love it.
So I'm giving this book 4 stars for the descriptions of the city. Don't read it for the absurd love story, or the simplistic plot, or the straightforward characters. Read it for the awe-inspired writing, and if you don't like it after a couple pages put it down because it's not going to be like that for 700 pages.
kayrencar's review against another edition
3.0
I have been trying to read this book for FIVE YEARS. and finally, sometime in the last year-ish, I legitimately started it (for probably the 7th time) and pushed through to the end. The simple act of reading this book has been a saga.
The thing is, the prologue and the first few chapters of this book are so beautifully written and so promising and so engrossing ... and so much of the prose throughout the book is lovely ............. but the book just never quite lives up to the promise, and eventually those beautifully written sentences start to feel indulgent, and you realize it’s somehow taken nearly two full pages to describe a character getting into an elevator. All the indulgent writing I would be able to forgive, except that the main characters, Harry and Catherine, are so perfect that they become horribly uninteresting, and honestly, there’s no real plot happening (or at least moving forward) until maybe 2/3 of the way through? (Probably most of the reason it has taken me so long to finish this dang book.) THEN, after 700 pages, to have the nerve to end the way that it does? No. Just no.
And for heaven’s sake, the length of the book could have been cut by a good 10-15% if the reader had been spared the endless descriptions of Catherine’s appearance.... blerg.
I wanted to love it. I really did. There are very few books that I would have tried so hard to finish, considering all the obstacles. It really was so promising. But, in the end, such a remarkable let down.
The thing is, the prologue and the first few chapters of this book are so beautifully written and so promising and so engrossing ... and so much of the prose throughout the book is lovely ............. but the book just never quite lives up to the promise, and eventually those beautifully written sentences start to feel indulgent, and you realize it’s somehow taken nearly two full pages to describe a character getting into an elevator. All the indulgent writing I would be able to forgive, except that the main characters, Harry and Catherine, are so perfect that they become horribly uninteresting, and honestly, there’s no real plot happening (or at least moving forward) until maybe 2/3 of the way through? (Probably most of the reason it has taken me so long to finish this dang book.) THEN, after 700 pages, to have the nerve to end the way that it does? No. Just no.
And for heaven’s sake, the length of the book could have been cut by a good 10-15% if the reader had been spared the endless descriptions of Catherine’s appearance.... blerg.
I wanted to love it. I really did. There are very few books that I would have tried so hard to finish, considering all the obstacles. It really was so promising. But, in the end, such a remarkable let down.
reaghan527's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
skbarks's review against another edition
3.0
Some 5-star aspects and some 1-star aspects leave me feeling underwhelmed by this one. I love Helprin's writing, but his bad habits are in full effect here: every woman is stunningly beautiful and otherwise idealized; the protagonists are truly, madly, deeply in love for reasons that aren't fleshed out (and without any conflict or rough edges that would make their relationship real or compelling); the stunning prose can easily go over the top. The most satisfying part for me was the extended flashback to Harry's time in the war, probably because it got away from the problematic romance. In a word cloud of Helprin's prose, "beautiful" and "love" would feature prominently. Catherine is beautiful, and she and Harry are in love. Lather, rinse, repeat.
arledian's review against another edition
I didn't actually finish this book... I actually got halfway and stopped and I don't do that vary often. While I found the story to be interesting the length is killing me. I want to find out what happens but I just don't have the time to do so (as an audio book it's 30 hours long). I also find that while I'm enjoying the book while it's on, it's not like others in that I'm not driven to go back to it when it's off. Maybe I just need the Reader's Digest version.
smrankin5's review against another edition
2.0
I have to come clean....as beautiful as this was written I couldn't stay focused for almost 700 pages...
jefecarpenter's review against another edition
Didn't read it; marked it Read so I could get it off my Want To Read list
cook_memorial_public_library's review against another edition
4.0
Recommended by staffer Andrea.
Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sin+sunlight+and+in+shadow+helprin__Orightresult__U1?lang=eng&suite=pearl
Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sin+sunlight+and+in+shadow+helprin__Orightresult__U1?lang=eng&suite=pearl
tbsims's review against another edition
5.0
so incredibly beautiful. Loved the characters, loved the beautiful writing, loved the little side-stories (Harry in greece, caroline substituting vanilla extract for perfume, the empty apartment telling its tale, the doorman having the maid's son watch Harry enter the park....)
yes was it long and yes the instantaneous love was a bit over-the-top...but such a special book.
I saw a complaint about the war scenes but I loved them. I don't read war books but it made it quite vivid, the fatalistic feeling, facing death, the glory of a warm friend/dog/shower.
I also loved the personality of Harry, contemplative and quiet and comfortable solo but delightfully snarky in social scenes when required although possibly not appreciated.
yes was it long and yes the instantaneous love was a bit over-the-top...but such a special book.
I saw a complaint about the war scenes but I loved them. I don't read war books but it made it quite vivid, the fatalistic feeling, facing death, the glory of a warm friend/dog/shower.
I also loved the personality of Harry, contemplative and quiet and comfortable solo but delightfully snarky in social scenes when required although possibly not appreciated.