New York: the Novel by Edward Rutherfurd
Brandishing this heavy tome (almost 900 pages) at the beach this summer might give pause to any approaching bullies contemplating kicking sand in your face. Deterrent possibilities aside, this novel is a totally engrossing read which is informed, as usual in Rutherfurd’s novels, by his technique of following the fortunes of evolving generations of families and noting recurring traits among the descendents of key characters. Rutherfurd has applied this technique to such locales as London, Russia and, most recently, Paris. Fans of New York, though, whether native to the city or otherwise, will be particularly enthralled with the often shocking and violent history of the now somewhat-tamed city. The circuitous, evolving fortunes of early Manhattanites – from the Manates, the Native American tribe originally inhabiting (and providing its name) to the island of Manhattan — to the continuing stream of New Yorkers over several centuries (Dutch, English, African, Irish, Jewish, Italian, etc.) will keep readers engrossed until the novel reaches the current century. Over each historical period, family descendents and others whose lives intersect with them, continue to climb the sometimes treacherous ladder to, if not always material success, at least to survival in “the city that never sleeps.” Readers may never either, until they finish the last page.
Submitted by Selecto
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