New York: The Novel

Edward Rutherfurd's, NEW YORK: THE NOVEL is another great work of historical fiction from an author who satisfies the reader with well-researched factual details neatly wrapped around real and fictional characters and important events, which spark excitement, adventure, and which brings life to the title subjects he explores. If you enjoyed the lengthy historical fiction novels of James Michener, you will be pleased with Rutherfurd.NEW YORK: THE NOVEL is the third book by Rutherfurd I've enjoyed. His, SARUM and RUSSKA were abundant with historical detail, and great plots. Best of all, each novel was massive and lengthy; averaging nine-hundred pages.First and foremost, NEW YORK: THE NOVEL is about the historical evolution of the City of New York, which rose from a small swampy Dutch settlement in 1664. Rutherfurd tells the exciting history of NY primarily through the lives of three families; the Dutch van Dycks, the English Masters, and the Irish O'Donnells. Yet there were many other families woven into the story who played an important role in Rutherfurd's sprawling saga. Through them we learn about major events which shaped the city, and which would ultimately make New York the American center of world power and commerce by the dawn of the twentieth century; long before the turn of the millennium.Before I purchased Rutherfurd's, NEW YORK: THE NOVEL, I read four books about NY by Beverly Swerling, written in chronological order beginning with, CITY OF DREAMS: A Novel Of Nieuw Amsterdam And Early Manhattan, and ending with, CITY OF GOD. Swerling's novels are a bit shorter and 'easy-reads' [less cerebral], yet all are loaded with historical detail. I enjoyed all, and I would recommend that you read Swerling's novels before reading Rutherfurd's, NEW YORK: THE NOVEL if you prefer more exciting character plots and sizzling story-lines of family feuds, scandal, and corruption. Also, Swerling includes events in her books, which were omitted or brief in Rutherford's.For example, Swerling includes more stories about events such as the slave auctions on Wall Street, the fire 1835, the founding of the first hospitals in NY, and more details about her characters involvement in the Revolutionary and later the Civil war.Similarly, if you prefer to read more 'text-book' historical detail, then Rutherfurd's, NEW YORK: THE NOVEL would probably be the better choice. Among other events, I enjoyed Rutherfurd's historical attention to the political explosion which culminated in the Draft Riots of 1863, and the real and fictional characters involved with the notorious Irish Gangs of NY, and the power-base of Boss Tweed and Tammany Hall.*To summarize, Beverly Swerling's New York novels are primarily about great stories of fascinating characters and families you either love or hate, woven into New York's long history. Whereas, Rutherfurd's novel focuses primarily on the historical events which made New York the power center of America told through NY's founding families.No matter your choice, Rutherfurd wrote another great historical novel you'll enjoy.Maizie Lucille JamesJanuary 14, 2012

I've always been attracted to historical fiction and also dynastic sagas, whether fictional or real, which is why I became interested in reading Edward Rutherfurd's works and decided to start with his novel on my native city.As a New Yorker, I know a lot about the city and I can attest that he's done his research. His depictions of events, streets, and neighborhoods are accurate and he skillfully weaves his characters into a broad historical tapestry. The attitudes and points of view of his characters reflect, in some cases, modern interpretations but not anachronistically so. Although not shy about focusing on its negative as well as its positive qualities, Rutherfurd clearly has a fondness for New York. Although he didn't grow up there, he's lived there and learned to understand its spirit and its nuances (some people never do, though they've been residents of many years' standing), and he also understands its place within a larger American context. (He even knows that the official name of the city isn't New York City at all but, simply, New York.) Naturally, because of my background, I found the book appealing, but I think it will also engage readers who don't know New York well or at all but who have a general interest in either the city or the panorama of American history.Rutherfurd was inspired in part by James Michener's novels and you can clearly see the influence. As a stylist, however, his prose is not as elegant as Michener's and, at times, can be somewhat pedestrian. Structurally, too, his novel is not quite as seamless as Michener's. He has a tendency to "drop" certain characters after focusing on them enough to corral your interest, so that when he progresses to a new time period he doesn't always tie up loose ends or let you know what eventually happened to those people. That can be a bit frustrating but, I suppose, it does reflect real life, which, as we all know, can be very untidy; we're all able to think of individuals who were once part of our lives but with whom we've lost touch and who we sometimes never hear from again.These are minor quibbles, however, and they don't prevent me from recommending this novel. "New York" is easy to read and very entertaining, even after a long day at work when your mind is tired and not at its sharpest. It's a great book to keep you occupied on vacation while sitting on a beach or in your hotel room after a day's sightseeing, or even (told you I was a New Yorker!) riding the subway or bus during your daily commute. I look forward to exploring some of Rutherfurd's other efforts, especially those on Paris and London.

Leitor ávido por natureza, fui agradavelmente surpreendido pela leveza deste livro. Ver surgir ao longo do texto os nomes dos marcos de hoje dessa poderosa cidade surpreende e explica. Quem ama New York não pode se dar ao luxo de deixa de ler esta obra, sob pena de não compreendê-la melhor sabendo como foi forjada ao longo do tempo.

Entretenida novela

Es un libro más que recomendable sobre la historia de NY y, por ende, de EE UU, ameno y lleno de historias interesantes para quien quiera disfrutar de verdad de una visita a NY.

As someone who has to go to New York a lot on business, I was recommended this book by my grandmother actually who thought I might like it - and she was right.Now, I don't profess to being a literary critic but I do know what I like and I couldn't put this book down. The story line is fictional, but the events and places are very factual and that's what made it really interesting to me. All those places I've visited so many times, to learn a bit more about their history in a fun and interesting way whilst following the story of these fictional characters was really nice.Without spoiling it, basically the book follows the story of a number of generations of several families through different periods of NYC history, going all the way from its beginning and settlement by the dutch to the events of 9/11.It's a great book that is well written and keeps you hooked wondering if you can fit one more chapter in before you have to put it down.

I have not read all of this books yet I have read Paris and London and now New York. I do not know how he does it.. His books are breath taking. To begin with I was not much of a reader before I found this man. I found Paris and said "hey I like history and Paris as we all know is rich with her history" so I gave it a shot. Holy meatballs was it good!! All his books have the same formula so for those who do not like knowing somewhat what is coming than it may not work for you but I love when you have modern families and you follow them through their lives and see their ancestory and while doing so watch history unfold before you.I do not want to give much away but all of the crucial and important historical figures of America I can think of are present and all of the historical events that have changed are world are present aswell. This is a must read for history fans.