Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
I associate Alice Hoffman with magical realism chick lit, along the lines of [a:Sarah Addison Allen|566874|Sarah Addison Allen|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1372537232p2/566874.jpg], but more consistent: small towns, magical powers, and, above all, charm -- a breathtaking departure from ordinary life. I know that she's branched out ([b:The Dovekeepers|10950924|The Dovekeepers|Alice Hoffman|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1306253903s/10950924.jpg|15868401] is on my to-read list), but my experience with her prior to this novel has been [b:Practical Magic|22896|Practical Magic|Alice Hoffman|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1388207715s/22896.jpg|4030671], [b:Here on Earth|5159|Here on Earth |Alice Hoffman|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1388299278s/5159.jpg|2606620], and [b:The Probable Future|146114|The Probable Future|Alice Hoffman|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1172178135s/146114.jpg|2606531].
This novel, set in New York City in 1911, specifically on Coney and Manhattan islands, is very different. There is still an element of the magical here -- the Coney Island setting centers around the establishment from the title, populated by a menagerie of "freaks" and presided over by a magician-slash-scientist-slash-con-artist. (His young adult daughter is our heroine.) But the story is firmly set in a gritty, historically important place and time. Our hero is an Orthodox Jewish emigrant who has completely abandoned his faith and his father. The novel is told from these two points of view in alternating chapters. Each chapter is then divided into two halves -- the italic (first person) and the normal (third limited). Throw in two historical fires and a whole lot of fictional conflict, and you have a novel that tries to be a symphony and almost succeeds.
Perhaps I'm judging Hoffman more harshly than I would an unfamiliar author. But I know how lyrical her prose CAN be, and I just feel like it isn't here. I'm rating it as 3 stars, and would give it 3.5 if I could, but a 4 star book to me is one that I would recommend enthusiastically, and I just don't feel that way about this one.
This novel, set in New York City in 1911, specifically on Coney and Manhattan islands, is very different. There is still an element of the magical here -- the Coney Island setting centers around the establishment from the title, populated by a menagerie of "freaks" and presided over by a magician-slash-scientist-slash-con-artist. (His young adult daughter is our heroine.) But the story is firmly set in a gritty, historically important place and time. Our hero is an Orthodox Jewish emigrant who has completely abandoned his faith and his father. The novel is told from these two points of view in alternating chapters. Each chapter is then divided into two halves -- the italic (first person) and the normal (third limited). Throw in two historical fires and a whole lot of fictional conflict, and you have a novel that tries to be a symphony and almost succeeds.
Perhaps I'm judging Hoffman more harshly than I would an unfamiliar author. But I know how lyrical her prose CAN be, and I just feel like it isn't here. I'm rating it as 3 stars, and would give it 3.5 if I could, but a 4 star book to me is one that I would recommend enthusiastically, and I just don't feel that way about this one.
A fascinating concept and promising setting: Edwardian NYC; Coney Island and the museum; the contrast of lower Manhattan's factories with the mansions of the rich and the hermit's hut in the wilderness of upper Manhattan. All the elements were there to potentially capture my imagination and my heart.
Unfortunately, I feel like I experienced it all in a fog and at a distance.* The characters never came to life for me (especially Coralie). I barely knew or understood them, despite reading their backstories. Insta-love and a mostly off-camera courtship did not help. Nor did the ending, delivered via a lengthy letter that verged on "As You Know Bob." As for the letter's possible revelation, it's not something I'd even thought of before, nor did we see Coralie wonder about it, so it felt tacked on.
Overall, I'd give this a score in the high 3's. I did enjoy many parts of the book (especially the actual history) and hated none of it. Alice Hoffman's prose and imagery was lovely, and the depiction of the two big fires was vivid enough, but I really needed more depth and fire to the characterizations and the story itself in order to give this a higher score.
*Honestly, part of my odd detachment might be the psychological effect of reading page after page after page of italics on my tiny e-reader, almost half the book. I absolutely loathed that. Had I read it on paper, things might be different (but I'd still hate reading that much italicized text).
Unfortunately, I feel like I experienced it all in a fog and at a distance.* The characters never came to life for me (especially Coralie). I barely knew or understood them, despite reading their backstories. Insta-love and a mostly off-camera courtship did not help. Nor did the ending, delivered via a lengthy letter that verged on "As You Know Bob." As for the letter's possible revelation, it's not something I'd even thought of before, nor did we see Coralie wonder about it, so it felt tacked on.
Overall, I'd give this a score in the high 3's. I did enjoy many parts of the book (especially the actual history) and hated none of it. Alice Hoffman's prose and imagery was lovely, and the depiction of the two big fires was vivid enough, but I really needed more depth and fire to the characterizations and the story itself in order to give this a higher score.
*Honestly, part of my odd detachment might be the psychological effect of reading page after page after page of italics on my tiny e-reader, almost half the book. I absolutely loathed that. Had I read it on paper, things might be different (but I'd still hate reading that much italicized text).
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence
The storyline focuses on 2 central characters whose upbringing should have never led them to the same path. Somehow their circumstances living in an unforgiving city bring them together. I was equally fascinated and disturbed at the length amusement park owners went through to bring in or create the illusion of the strange-but-true come to life in order to bring in customers and make a profit.
Hoffman delivers a backdrop of a younger NYC in a time in which the working class man takes a stand and helps shape our future through the development of unions. Added to this is the magical time of technology in which the use of electricity is still in its infancy. The detail and care Hoffman puts into recreating this era made me feel like I got my own private tour back in time. Had this book’s sole purpose been to enlighten us about that period in time, I would’ve given this 4 stars. However, at its core, it is the story of Coralie and Eddie, and I felt that once their paths cross, they lose a certain dimension of their individual selves. I felt that their coming together felt rushed somehow. I also wanted to read more about the characters that help Coralie and Eddie along the way. I think Mr. Morris and Maureen deserve to be featured in their own story. Perhaps there’ll be a sequel?
Overall, it is Hoffman’s beautiful writing that is most magical and will make you want to keep reading on. I’ve heard her fans say that this is not her greatest work. This book has been my introduction to Hoffman and I really enjoyed her writing style. It did not disappoint and I look forward to reading her even finer works.
Hoffman delivers a backdrop of a younger NYC in a time in which the working class man takes a stand and helps shape our future through the development of unions. Added to this is the magical time of technology in which the use of electricity is still in its infancy. The detail and care Hoffman puts into recreating this era made me feel like I got my own private tour back in time. Had this book’s sole purpose been to enlighten us about that period in time, I would’ve given this 4 stars. However, at its core, it is the story of Coralie and Eddie, and I felt that once their paths cross, they lose a certain dimension of their individual selves. I felt that their coming together felt rushed somehow. I also wanted to read more about the characters that help Coralie and Eddie along the way. I think Mr. Morris and Maureen deserve to be featured in their own story. Perhaps there’ll be a sequel?
Overall, it is Hoffman’s beautiful writing that is most magical and will make you want to keep reading on. I’ve heard her fans say that this is not her greatest work. This book has been my introduction to Hoffman and I really enjoyed her writing style. It did not disappoint and I look forward to reading her even finer works.
The pivotal setting of New York City in 1911 illuminates a compelling romance between immigrant photographer Eddie Cohen and the mysterious Coralie Sardie, the mermaid in a Coney Island museum.
In Hoffman’s portrait of its great and tormented beauty, New York shines as a wonder of the world in its savage grace. The story’s tensions are learned straight from Master Dickens--make them laugh, make them cry, make them wait! The darkness of The Museum of Extraordinary Things is pierced by ineffable moments of grace.
In Hoffman’s portrait of its great and tormented beauty, New York shines as a wonder of the world in its savage grace. The story’s tensions are learned straight from Master Dickens--make them laugh, make them cry, make them wait! The darkness of The Museum of Extraordinary Things is pierced by ineffable moments of grace.
I really enjoyed the time period and reading about the 1911 Shirtwaist Factory fire and Dreamland fires. It was a good story...I felt a little disconnected to the characters but over all a solid read.
I absolutely love Alice Hoffman. This is the second book I've read by her and now I need to go back and read more. She builds such incredible stories in such a way that makes them come alive.
Mysterious, emotional, and haunting...it's a lovely book.