Helpful Score: 5
A fantastic story. The history of early Nieuw Amsterdam/Old New York is the background of this wonderful bit of historical fiction. Sally and Lucas Turner arrive in Nieuw Amsterdam in the mid-1600s. The story of the Turner descendants and the feud between the two sides of the family are continued through the American Revolution.
I enjoyed this for the history, the way that fictional and historic figures were woven into the storyline, and having lived in NYC, I smiled when I realised the names of the streets come from many of the historical figures or places. While it's a fascinating look at the 'medical' profession of the times; I must say that reading some of the surgical techniques made me a bit uneasy. Makes me glad that medicine has advanced greatly and for anesthesia!
Highly recommended to those who enjoy historical fiction or are interested in New Amsterdam/New York history. (I'm still singing "even old New York was once New Amsterdam...")
I enjoyed this for the history, the way that fictional and historic figures were woven into the storyline, and having lived in NYC, I smiled when I realised the names of the streets come from many of the historical figures or places. While it's a fascinating look at the 'medical' profession of the times; I must say that reading some of the surgical techniques made me a bit uneasy. Makes me glad that medicine has advanced greatly and for anesthesia!
Highly recommended to those who enjoy historical fiction or are interested in New Amsterdam/New York history. (I'm still singing "even old New York was once New Amsterdam...")
Bryce W. (Calliope) - , reviewed City of Dreams: A Novel of Nieuw Amsterdam and Early Manhattan on + 24 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
City of Dreams takes readers through 130 years of the early history of New York City, following a few specific families through their generations as they fight, marry, grow apart and grow together.
Edward Rutherford has become the master of this particular storytelling conceit, often following families through many hundreds of years of history. He tends to focus on historical detail and accuracy, while Beverly Swerling is more interested in the dramatic and emotional interactions between her characters. At some points the book feels a bit like a "historical soap opera," but the drama is usually pretty engaging. You'll find many, many damsels in distress, betrayals, hidden treasure, murders, torrid affairs, arson, espionage, and many, many, many amputations.
Let me say that again: There are many amputations. Also: purging, head trauma, violent disease, and violent-er deaths. This book is not for the faint of heart, but then again, neither were the 1700's.
Edward Rutherford has become the master of this particular storytelling conceit, often following families through many hundreds of years of history. He tends to focus on historical detail and accuracy, while Beverly Swerling is more interested in the dramatic and emotional interactions between her characters. At some points the book feels a bit like a "historical soap opera," but the drama is usually pretty engaging. You'll find many, many damsels in distress, betrayals, hidden treasure, murders, torrid affairs, arson, espionage, and many, many, many amputations.
Let me say that again: There are many amputations. Also: purging, head trauma, violent disease, and violent-er deaths. This book is not for the faint of heart, but then again, neither were the 1700's.
Debra F. (DebraSFleming) -
Helpful Score: 3
This has got to be one of my favorite books ever. Incredible writing, plot development, research, can't say enough about this book! I have not enjoyed a book this much since Slammerkin!
The story is about a brother and sister who arrive in New Amsterdam (later called New York) in the 1600's. The story is about how they made a life for themselves with her as an herbalist and he as a surgeon. Something happens between the two of them that is unable to be resolved and ends up affecting generations of their children. The book contains several books within a book and each one is a different generation's story. It is fascinating! For any family tree enthusiast or lover of historical fiction. This is a must read.
The story is about a brother and sister who arrive in New Amsterdam (later called New York) in the 1600's. The story is about how they made a life for themselves with her as an herbalist and he as a surgeon. Something happens between the two of them that is unable to be resolved and ends up affecting generations of their children. The book contains several books within a book and each one is a different generation's story. It is fascinating! For any family tree enthusiast or lover of historical fiction. This is a must read.
Tish O. (tish) -
Helpful Score: 2
this is almost the perfect book!the author guides us thru the 16 and 17 hundreds in Niew Amsterdam,which eventually becomes NYC. there is intrigue,barbaric indians,even more barbaric doctoring,family feuds and secrets galore.it is about 2 families inextricably intertwined thru the ages.
Michelle T. (Buecherwuermchen) reviewed City of Dreams: A Novel of Nieuw Amsterdam and Early Manhattan on
Helpful Score: 1
I'm a big fan of historical novels and this one is deffinitely worth the read! It was awesome to read about that specific area back in the day. The description of life is detailed and super interesting. The storyline is catching and keeps you on the edge at all times. I just couldn't put it down.
Sandra L. (grannyslm) reviewed City of Dreams: A Novel of Nieuw Amsterdam and Early Manhattan on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I am an avid reader and I liked this book a great deal. It kept me coming back again and again.
Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed City of Dreams: A Novel of Nieuw Amsterdam and Early Manhattan on + 1223 more book reviews
This was a really engrossing historical novel about the early days of New York. The novel is multi-generational and dates from 1661 when New York was a Dutch colony and called Nieuw Amsterdam up to 1798 after the Revolutionary War. The novel focuses on a family of surgeons/barbers, physicians, and apothecaries. The surgeons were actually the ones that had the most useful medical knowledge including ways to cut into people to cure them. The physicians were actually trained in medical schools but the medical knowledge of the time was pretty much barbaric and useless and included such things as bleeding, use of leeches, purging, and cupping. Then there were the apothecaries who treated people with cures found mostly in the wild or cultivated for use. This included laudanum which was derived from opium poppies and alcohol.
The surgeons descended from Lucas Turner who arrived in New York in 1661 with his sister Sally, an apothecary. Lucas had a falling out with Sally when he basically sold her to a rich physician named Van der Vries thus separating the family into two feuding branches. The novel goes on through several generations and includes some very fascinating characters who struggle to make it in the early days of New York. In addition to doctors, the family included slaves, privateers, gun dealers, pimps, madams, and prostitutes.
Especially interesting were descriptions of some of the early medical techniques. Lucas actually operated on Peter Stuyvesant, the governor of the colony, to relieve him of kidney stones. The method used was very squirm-worthy but according to the author, it was a method actually used and historically documented.
And of course the novel also provided a lot of history on the city including how it evolved from a small Dutch colony to a "city of dreams" where people went to make their fortune. Included in this was its role in the Revolutionary War. George Washington was a key figure in the story along with the British siege of the city and their treatment of the rebel prisoners. I also didn't realize that New York was the first capitol of the United States and Washington was sworn in as president there. Very compelling reading that I would consider both an historical romance and a great adventure novel. Swerling also wrote three sequels to this: CITY OF GLORY, CITY OF GOD, and CITY OF PROMISE. Hopefully, I will get around to reading these as well.
The surgeons descended from Lucas Turner who arrived in New York in 1661 with his sister Sally, an apothecary. Lucas had a falling out with Sally when he basically sold her to a rich physician named Van der Vries thus separating the family into two feuding branches. The novel goes on through several generations and includes some very fascinating characters who struggle to make it in the early days of New York. In addition to doctors, the family included slaves, privateers, gun dealers, pimps, madams, and prostitutes.
Especially interesting were descriptions of some of the early medical techniques. Lucas actually operated on Peter Stuyvesant, the governor of the colony, to relieve him of kidney stones. The method used was very squirm-worthy but according to the author, it was a method actually used and historically documented.
And of course the novel also provided a lot of history on the city including how it evolved from a small Dutch colony to a "city of dreams" where people went to make their fortune. Included in this was its role in the Revolutionary War. George Washington was a key figure in the story along with the British siege of the city and their treatment of the rebel prisoners. I also didn't realize that New York was the first capitol of the United States and Washington was sworn in as president there. Very compelling reading that I would consider both an historical romance and a great adventure novel. Swerling also wrote three sequels to this: CITY OF GLORY, CITY OF GOD, and CITY OF PROMISE. Hopefully, I will get around to reading these as well.
Cameron-Ashley H. (BigGreenChair) reviewed City of Dreams: A Novel of Nieuw Amsterdam and Early Manhattan on + 461 more book reviews
This was a great read--
Ayman F. (thebigaym) reviewed City of Dreams: A Novel of Nieuw Amsterdam and Early Manhattan on + 67 more book reviews
Listened to abridged audio book. I'm sure if I was a New Yorker I'd really love this book, as I would be familiar with the locations described. Even so, I enjoyed this historical fiction. In addition, Gabrielle De Cuir is a great voice actress!
