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North River
North River
Author: Pete Hamill
It is 1934, and New York City is in the icy grip of the Great — Depression. With enormous compassion, Dr. James Delaney — tends to his hurt, sick, and poor neighbors, who include — gangsters, day laborers, prostitutes, and housewives. If they — can't pay, he treats them anyway. — But in his own life, Delaney is emotionally numb, haunted — by the slaug...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9780316340588
ISBN-10: 0316340588
Publication Date: 6/11/2007
Pages: 352
Rating:
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 29

4.1 stars, based on 29 ratings
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback, Audio Cassette
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed North River on + 8 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I absolutely loved this book. It's what I call one of my "comfortable" books. So well written and descriptive of the wonderful characters. I think that some books are just 'overdone'. The authors go on and on to the point where you are skipping many paragraphs out of pure boredom. I never felt this way reading "North River". Loved the beautiful characters and especially the Grandpa and his special little grandson sharing simple experiences that I still think about.
minipennie avatar reviewed North River on + 18 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
My new favorite author! Being a New Yorker it's refreshing to read about NY in a time that I could only imagine. You'll be transported there.
jscrappy avatar reviewed North River on + 59 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Dr, James Delaney wakes up one morning to discover his infant grandson, left by his estranged daughter, in a baby carriage on his doorstep. The sudden appearance of this baby in Delaney's life pulls him abruptly out of the sad routine of his life in the grim Depression world of 1934 Brooklyn, and into a world of new possibilities.

This is a quiet little story, full of details about the vanished world of 1930's-era New York City. I liked it, but didn't love it--the conflicts resolve a little too easily, and the characters are a little flat, especially the character of Delaney's daughter, who makes an unsatisfying appearance at the end of the book.

What IS appealing is the author's obvious love of the era and the city, and his portrayal of a grandfather and grandson getting to know each other.
Read All 10 Book Reviews of "North River"


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