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A review by sarahcoller
London: The Novel by Edward Rutherfurd
5.0
Wow, this is just an absolutely fascinating novel---one of the best I've ever read, for sure. There are so many wonderful things to say about it that I know I'll miss most of them in this review, but I just have to say how happy I am that I took the time to read this incredible story! One of the things I loved the most about it is that there were not a lot of emotional highs and lows. Most situations turn out positively---often times comically so---and the story just moves along steadily with endearing characters, both strong and weak. The real genius, I think, is how well the feel of the story mirrors the truth of London, itself; along with its inhabitants, its places, the Thames---steady, strong, endearing.
I've studied the history of London, and England as a whole, quite a bit, and I think that made this saga easier to follow, as I was placing family lines within familiar places. As I said, there are so many fantastic bits, but here are a few things I took note of:
It was interesting to read about the origin of the naming of "pounds sterling" (see page 280)
It was fun to imagine how surnames were given and changed over time---especially as it seems my own was upon entering the US in the early 1900s.
It was fascinating to read about the origin of terms and ideas like impeachment or grocers or Greenwich time.
I had to laugh and then look up videos of the practice of slamming the door in the face of Black Rod upon opening Parliament. Ha!
Of course it was fantastic to read about one of my favorite historical figures, Samuel Pepys!
Pg. 837 was a little surprising, informing me that at this point in history (1701), it was decided that a Catholic could not sit on the throne, nor could a monarch be married to a Catholic. This taking place in the late 17th century wasn't the shock---it was that, upon research, I learned that it is still unlawful for a Catholic to hold the monarchy! (Though Catholic spouses have been allowed since 2011). I understand the reason why, since they are head of the Anglican church, yet I still find it interesting that they wouldn't find a work around in this anti-God age of liberality.
The story only really lagged a little for me in the time period from Charles I to George II, but that time of history has never interested me so I doubt it's the fault of the author.
I almost just want to start this lovely story all over again now---but I'll wait a year or two. Highly recommended!
I've studied the history of London, and England as a whole, quite a bit, and I think that made this saga easier to follow, as I was placing family lines within familiar places. As I said, there are so many fantastic bits, but here are a few things I took note of:
It was interesting to read about the origin of the naming of "pounds sterling" (see page 280)
It was fun to imagine how surnames were given and changed over time---especially as it seems my own was upon entering the US in the early 1900s.
It was fascinating to read about the origin of terms and ideas like impeachment or grocers or Greenwich time.
I had to laugh and then look up videos of the practice of slamming the door in the face of Black Rod upon opening Parliament. Ha!
Of course it was fantastic to read about one of my favorite historical figures, Samuel Pepys!
Pg. 837 was a little surprising, informing me that at this point in history (1701), it was decided that a Catholic could not sit on the throne, nor could a monarch be married to a Catholic. This taking place in the late 17th century wasn't the shock---it was that, upon research, I learned that it is still unlawful for a Catholic to hold the monarchy! (Though Catholic spouses have been allowed since 2011). I understand the reason why, since they are head of the Anglican church, yet I still find it interesting that they wouldn't find a work around in this anti-God age of liberality.
The story only really lagged a little for me in the time period from Charles I to George II, but that time of history has never interested me so I doubt it's the fault of the author.
I almost just want to start this lovely story all over again now---but I'll wait a year or two. Highly recommended!