Scan barcode
A review by erboe501
London by Edward Rutherfurd
5.0
I love the structure of Edward Rutherfurd's sweeping historical novels. I read his book Paris while abroad in London two years ago, and of course once I found out there was a London novel, I snatched it up. It's taken me awhile to start, however, because of its immense length.
Starting with a boy in pre-Roman London, each chapter of the book follows a new generation of this boy's descendants, with other families introduced through time. It's rather sobering to see the fortunes of one generation result in the economic decline of the grandchildren. But the personalities and attributes of the families maintain somewhat constant. It's like a puzzle to connect family lineage and marriages through each chapter.
Rutherfurd does a pretty good job of including both male and female perspectives, even though the large historical players in most of these historical moments were men. The women in the stories have roles as important, if not more oftentimes, then their men.
Of course, I also learned a good deal about London's history, which is one of my favorite things about historical fiction. Eventually, I want to read Rutherfurd's other histories. If you can set aside enough time for this chunkster, I would recommend you do.
Starting with a boy in pre-Roman London, each chapter of the book follows a new generation of this boy's descendants, with other families introduced through time. It's rather sobering to see the fortunes of one generation result in the economic decline of the grandchildren. But the personalities and attributes of the families maintain somewhat constant. It's like a puzzle to connect family lineage and marriages through each chapter.
Rutherfurd does a pretty good job of including both male and female perspectives, even though the large historical players in most of these historical moments were men. The women in the stories have roles as important, if not more oftentimes, then their men.
Of course, I also learned a good deal about London's history, which is one of my favorite things about historical fiction. Eventually, I want to read Rutherfurd's other histories. If you can set aside enough time for this chunkster, I would recommend you do.