_dunno_'s review against another edition
It really seemed readable back at uni; New York in the 20's is something I'm fascinated about. Problem is that I got really bored at some point while reading, a few years later. Maybe it just wasn't the time for it then.
fescape's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mendelbot's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of those books that is very good the first time around, but will probably be great on a re-read in a few years. It is not an easy read, partially because of the complexity of the narrative, which weaves all over the place, and partially because of the dated language. But it's a beautiful, funny, at times heartbreaking look at New York City in the early 20th Century.
jay_alfred's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
05claire's review against another edition
challenging
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
samanne's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It is hard to believe this novel was written in the 1920s. The form, style and themes are decades ahead of their time. Snapshots of people in NYC in the 20s post-1914, following characters across the spectrum of rich and poor. Novel captures the last vestiges of natural area in Manhattan, people struggling to get ahead, people who came to NYC from the farmlands of the U.S. as well as immigrants. Thieves both rich and poor.
audreyng_29's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
4.0
hausibeitom's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
evagro's review against another edition
4.0
This book is set in the 1920's in New York City. It really captures the Jazz Age through a story full of characters that are all acquainted in one way or another. There are a couple tales that capture the fall from grace that some people experienced as the banks started failing. It also takes place over about 20 years. As a classic, I liked this novel. It was interesting and it certainly took me back to Prohibition New York. It's a little tough to read because, well, it came out in 1925, but also because sometimes the narration of the story digresses into a dreamy internal dialogue. Also, while there are line breaks between the stories within paragraphs, the character perspectives would change right in the middle of a section. Still, I enjoyed the book. It was dark, but in a subtle way.