pidgevorg's review against another edition
2.0
Interesting premise, but the style is unoriginal and the story is too predictable--it felt like a hodge-podge of novels I've read before, and not necessarily good ones.
annakmeyer's review against another edition
3.0
I think I'd actually give three and a half stars. Given the plot summary, I expected more in New York - it took a while to get there. Also I spent the last part of the book wanting it to end a certain way and then it did and I ended up wishing I had been wrong.
I wish I hadn't read the reading group guide at the end that informed me the author had originally finished writing on September 10, 2001 and then rewrote parts.
I wish I hadn't read the reading group guide at the end that informed me the author had originally finished writing on September 10, 2001 and then rewrote parts.
machupicchu's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
3.25
cjdawn236's review against another edition
5.0
I've been wanting to read this book ever since the tv show New Amsterdam a few years ago created a controversy about the similarities between the two. The concept for the show was exactly the same as the book, with a few differences in the details. However, the book gave more focus on the history than the show and was much more poetical at times. It was a great look at the rise of New York City and the last few chapters, taking place the second week of September, 2001 brought tears to my eyes. I also loved that the story began in Ireland and maintained that Irish connection throughout the story. This book was beautifully written and I really enjoyed it.
readers_block's review against another edition
4.0
3.5/5
Cormac O'Connor is granted immortal life after leaving Ireland in the 1700s. The only catch is he must stay on the island of New York.
This reminded me a lot of Winters Tale by Mark Helperin (though I liked that one better). As someone who lives in the city and loves it here more than anywhere else on earth, I just loved watching Cormac go through the various periods of time. I honestly wished there was more detail on certain periods. It begins with (in my opinion) entirely too much backstory in Ireland, so you don't get to NYC until a few hundred pages in.
As echoed in a lot of the other reviews, I liked the concept of this book better than I liked the execution of it.
Cormac O'Connor is granted immortal life after leaving Ireland in the 1700s. The only catch is he must stay on the island of New York.
This reminded me a lot of Winters Tale by Mark Helperin (though I liked that one better). As someone who lives in the city and loves it here more than anywhere else on earth, I just loved watching Cormac go through the various periods of time. I honestly wished there was more detail on certain periods. It begins with (in my opinion) entirely too much backstory in Ireland, so you don't get to NYC until a few hundred pages in.
As echoed in a lot of the other reviews, I liked the concept of this book better than I liked the execution of it.
cmdatt's review against another edition
4.0
Good book if you like New York City history. It is an interesting mix of history and fantasy.
allisonstroy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
theoneandonlyredrose's review against another edition
1.0
How did this book get such good reviews?? Tediously boring and way too long. Though I have to admit to giving up at page 73. Horrendously cheesy badly written sex scene a few pages after we were told how the horse and dog were taken into the smithy to watch a sword being made…Really??? It got a big fat thumbs down from the other members of our reading group too.
makienzl's review against another edition
3.0
I saw a comment that described this book as “exhausting”. I whole-heartedly agree. The concept is interesting, but a lot of the story seems unnecessary. I felt myself wanting to skip parts and jump ahead. I felt impatient to finish.
That being said there were portions that I really enjoyed, the problem is that the portions would end as Cormac outlived the other characters involved in those plots.
I would recommend to a reader who looks for world building in their reads. Otherwise wouldn’t recommend.
That being said there were portions that I really enjoyed, the problem is that the portions would end as Cormac outlived the other characters involved in those plots.
I would recommend to a reader who looks for world building in their reads. Otherwise wouldn’t recommend.