smrankin5's review against another edition
2.0
I have to come clean....as beautiful as this was written I couldn't stay focused for almost 700 pages...
jefecarpenter's review against another edition
Didn't read it; marked it Read so I could get it off my Want To Read list
cook_memorial_public_library's review against another edition
4.0
Recommended by staffer Andrea.
Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sin+sunlight+and+in+shadow+helprin__Orightresult__U1?lang=eng&suite=pearl
Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sin+sunlight+and+in+shadow+helprin__Orightresult__U1?lang=eng&suite=pearl
tbsims's review against another edition
5.0
so incredibly beautiful. Loved the characters, loved the beautiful writing, loved the little side-stories (Harry in greece, caroline substituting vanilla extract for perfume, the empty apartment telling its tale, the doorman having the maid's son watch Harry enter the park....)
yes was it long and yes the instantaneous love was a bit over-the-top...but such a special book.
I saw a complaint about the war scenes but I loved them. I don't read war books but it made it quite vivid, the fatalistic feeling, facing death, the glory of a warm friend/dog/shower.
I also loved the personality of Harry, contemplative and quiet and comfortable solo but delightfully snarky in social scenes when required although possibly not appreciated.
yes was it long and yes the instantaneous love was a bit over-the-top...but such a special book.
I saw a complaint about the war scenes but I loved them. I don't read war books but it made it quite vivid, the fatalistic feeling, facing death, the glory of a warm friend/dog/shower.
I also loved the personality of Harry, contemplative and quiet and comfortable solo but delightfully snarky in social scenes when required although possibly not appreciated.
shesgothernoseinabookagain's review against another edition
Just not invested/lost interest and too many other books I really want to read
chantelmccray's review against another edition
1.0
Too sappy. If you like Danielle Steele novels, you might like this. But for me it was a snoozefest.
suesklansky's review against another edition
3.0
This is a wonderful author, who writes incredible detail. I could see and smell and taste every moment. This also got in the way of me enjoying the book. It came across more of a silly romance and not enough substance for me. For all his detail, he left out some critical information, that just left we wondering, why? I hated the ending entirely, so will not spoil it for others. There was much more of the ending to be had, and I thought he wrapped it up too quickly.
elisabeth1st's review against another edition
4.0
This book is for a select audience. Mark Helprin is an amazingly gifted writer and the lyricism here flows beautifully. That said, even the most ardent fan will struggle with his digressions. I know this is a five star book but I don't want everyone to see five stars and jump in only to struggle to the end or quit before.
gr8reader's review against another edition
5.0
WOW! This was a 'slow' read in that it seemed to take me longer to read than most books do (in terms of the number of pages per hour)but it kept me going every minute.....some times it was a leisurely build of the characters and their relationship, other times it was suspenseful and I couldn't wait to be able to turn the page! Just had a 3 day holiday and found myself wanting each of the meals that I was a guest at to be over quickly so that I could get back to reading! Same went for the holiday related lectures that I attended (despite the speakers being fabulous!) The only negative that I have is that a few times I found the going back in time to be disjointed from the prior chapter and it made for some confusion. But a riveting read that I would highly recommend!
fjames's review against another edition
2.0
One of only two books ever that I have not been able to finish. The lyrical, metaphor-rich writing which made Winter's Tale one of my favorite novels is in this book repetitive, overdone, sickeningly romantic and idealistic to an extreme that seems improbable even for white, wealthy post-war Manhattan. Very disappointing. (Sorry, Julia.)