Bryce W. (Calliope) - , reviewed on 6/21/2010 + 24 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 3

City of Dreams takes readers through 130 years of the early history of New York City, following a few specific families through their generations as they fight, marry, grow apart and grow together.

Edward Rutherford has become the master of this particular storytelling conceit, often following families through many hundreds of years of history. He tends to focus on historical detail and accuracy, while Beverly Swerling is more interested in the dramatic and emotional interactions between her characters. At some points the book feels a bit like a "historical soap opera," but the drama is usually pretty engaging. You'll find many, many damsels in distress, betrayals, hidden treasure, murders, torrid affairs, arson, espionage, and many, many, many amputations.

Let me say that again: There are many amputations. Also: purging, head trauma, violent disease, and violent-er deaths. This book is not for the faint of heart, but then again, neither were the 1700's.

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