Rnjoyed this book very much. Doctorow is a great author. He can describe a certain time period, like few others. Life in New York in the years before and at the time of the World's Fair, plus family relationships are described magnificently.
If you enjoy period fiction - especially stories set in the early 20th century - you'll like this view of 1930's NYC. Young Edgar is Jewish and ashamed, puzzled by the machinations of adult relationships and confused by the feelings all young people develop on the cusp of adulthood. His journey is capped by a visit to the 1939 World's Fair.
A wondeful sort of time capsule of a young boy's life in the New York City of the 1930's. Doctorow recreates with stunning authenticity all the sights, sounds, aromas and emotions of life in the Bronx and Manhattan when the streets were safe, families stuck together through hard times and a boy named Edgar could savor the customs of culture, the bitter sweet longings and glittering promises that culminated in the 1939 World's Fair. Hailed by critics from coast to coast and by readers of all ages, here is one of the great novels of our time. E.L. Doctorow's most accomplished performance to date.
This book was the winner of the 1985 National Book Award and I understand why. I found this book magical and I am now a new E.L. Doctorow fan. In fact, I've ordered 3 more of his novels through PaperBackSwap and they are on there way...I can't wait to start them.
Some reviews suggest that this book is probably a bit of a memoir. Every review raves about it. The following is a brief editorial review:
"The astonishing novel of a young boy's life in the New York City of the 1930s, a stunning recreation of the sights, sounds, aromas and emotions of a time when the streets were safe, families stuck together through thick and thin, and all the promises of a generation culminate in a single great World's Fair..."
If you haven't read this, then you are in for a literary treat.
Some reviews suggest that this book is probably a bit of a memoir. Every review raves about it. The following is a brief editorial review:
"The astonishing novel of a young boy's life in the New York City of the 1930s, a stunning recreation of the sights, sounds, aromas and emotions of a time when the streets were safe, families stuck together through thick and thin, and all the promises of a generation culminate in a single great World's Fair..."
If you haven't read this, then you are in for a literary treat.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It takes place in the l930's and I can really relate to it because I was born in the 30's. His description of life in the l930s is so real it is remarkable. E.L. Doctorow is a genius at describing life as seen through the eyes of a child (as in this book), or through the eyes of a young man coming to maturity as in Billy Bathgate. I have read everything the author has written, and he never disappoints me. Genny Sikes
