jscypinski's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
3.75
pattieod's review against another edition
4.0
The story of New Orleans from Betsy (1965) to Katrina (2005), as told in the voices of long-time residents from the entire social spectrum. A coroner, a transvestite, a thug, a band director, a woman struggling to better her life, the king of a krewe, and three others. A great, clear-eyed read.
bekah_boom's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. Granted, I am predisposed to love the book because I moved to New Orleans because of the people and the feel, but this is a fantastic read. The characters are dynamic and show you all the different lives and experiences that go into making New Orleans what it is. It's also a great look at how major events shape lives both personal choices and "acts of God." Definitely worth the read!
oclairej's review against another edition
3.0
Nine lives is the true story of New Orleans, specifically 9 very unique residents from all different social and economic status. It begins with the devestating Hurricane Betsy and comes to modern day (~2007) with the characters.
Although the book is choppy and hard to follow at times due to the organization and cutting in and out of each of the 9 people's lives, the story becomes more and more interesting as the book winds on. The first hand accounts of Hurricane Katrina are both riveting and appauling.
The book does a great job of capturing the cultural and the things that make New Orleans so unique (the Kings of Carnival and Mardi Gras details, the attitude of people, the race relations etc.). I would give it four stars if it weren't for the organization problem (I found myself flipping back during the first 75 pages tryhing to remember the characters and what was happening to them. However, the story does eventually pull you in and you do feel connected to each character.
I'm going to NOLA on vaction soon and it was a great book to really introduce me to the people of NOLA.
Although the book is choppy and hard to follow at times due to the organization and cutting in and out of each of the 9 people's lives, the story becomes more and more interesting as the book winds on. The first hand accounts of Hurricane Katrina are both riveting and appauling.
The book does a great job of capturing the cultural and the things that make New Orleans so unique (the Kings of Carnival and Mardi Gras details, the attitude of people, the race relations etc.). I would give it four stars if it weren't for the organization problem (I found myself flipping back during the first 75 pages tryhing to remember the characters and what was happening to them. However, the story does eventually pull you in and you do feel connected to each character.
I'm going to NOLA on vaction soon and it was a great book to really introduce me to the people of NOLA.
hanelisil's review against another edition
4.0
Still love this. Captures the feeling of New Orleans well.
cjeanne99's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
5.0
Ten years later - I still remember the stories in this well done book. Learned a lot about Katrina and the effects on this historical city.
bethnellvaccaro's review against another edition
3.0
The images in this book brought vivd images of my time in New Orleans clearly to my mind. I can't think of a better book to introduce readers to New Orleans. I just wasn't particularly in the mood to read the book. At another time, I think I would have given it more stars.
haleyrose's review against another edition
5.0
Run don't walk to read Nine Lives. I cried, I was so inspired, I fell even more in love with the city I live in and learned so much along the way. Baum writes about these nine, real lives with so much respect and managed to avoid most of the cliches that people who write about New Orleans like to employ.
marywalshwrites's review against another edition
5.0
Dan Baum does a terrific job of bringing us right into the hearts and souls of his 9 characters. I couldn't decide who was my favorite. Even though I saw the news on CNN about Hurricane Katrina, I learned so much more about the people affected in this book. Dan Baum tells a wonderful tale of every kind of person who lives in New Orleans.