notes a small green godong

I HAVE YET TO START THIS 862 PAGE BOOK, BUT I HAVE READ ALL OF RUTHERFURD’S BOOKS, AND CAN ONLY EXPECT THIS ONE TO BE AS FASCINATING AND WELL WRITTEN AS THE OTHERS. MAYBE BY APRIL 2010 I’LL BE ABLE TO EXPRESS MY OPINION ON ITS MERITS. I HAVE FIVE OTHER BOOKS AHEAD OF ‘NEW YORK’ TO READ FIRST.
Rating: 5 / 5

I really tried. I read 120 pages before I gave up. I remembered enjoying London and thought I’d give this one a try. No luck. First of all, it’s basically a collection of short stories. Like the others, each chapter is a story about different people, although granted, they are sons/daughters/grandchildren of ancestors who star in previous chapters. But not much really happens–it’s a slice of life story. Yes, there are good descriptions of current events and real people in history. And yes, Rutherford is a good writer. But unless you’re going to sit down and read huge chunks of the book at one sitting, it’s too easy to forget the people connections of earlier chapters. I’m sure this type of fiction appeals to some readers, but when I read I want one story with the same characters coming in and out–not different generations. Plus, the darn book is heavy–awkward to hold on the exercise bike or reading in bed–a trivial consideration, but one which affected me. I’m done trying Rutherford.
Rating: 2 / 5

300+ years of wealthy people in NYC, with some poor people thrown in. Most of these poor people were helped out by the rich ones, or they worked for them as servants. However, reading the book was enjoyable, since I love “historical fiction”.
Rating: 3 / 5

One of the finest novels

I’ve ever read. Would gladly

give it ten stars,
Rating: 5 / 5

I was enjoying this historical novel until I read this line: “…and General Grant had just smashed the Confederates at Gettysburg…” That’s about it for me.
Rating: 2 / 5