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London : The Novel
London The Novel
Author: Edward Rutherfurd
In the tradition of his phenomenal bestseller Sarum, Edward Rutherfurd now gives us a sweeping novel of London, a glorious pageant spanning two thousand years. He brings this vibrant city's long and noble history alive through the ever-shifting fortunes, fates, and intrigues of half-a-dozen families, from the age of Julius Caesar to the twentiet...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9780449002636
ISBN-10: 0449002632
Publication Date: 3/28/1998
Pages: 1,152
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 148

3.8 stars, based on 148 ratings
Publisher: Fawcett
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed London : The Novel on + 471 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
Certainly not for the fainthearted, this 800+ page novel on the history of London is true to the author's form. Rutherford so skillfully weaves detailed fiction and fact that YAs may have to head for the reference books to verify which is which. Basically, the story is London's evolution from a trading post to the seat of an Empire and the families who lived that history. Through the adventures and everyday lives of these characters, one can go to Shakespeare's Globe Theater, tend the plague patients with Dr. Richard Meredith, attend hangings at Newgate Prison, weep at the loss of life and limb due to "God's fire," visit the taverns with Chaucer and his pilgrims, and have other experiences in this exciting city. A special book for readers who have a burning interest in history and the stick-to-itiveness to finish and reflect on it. A perfect choice for the summer hiatus or winter holidays.
reviewed London : The Novel on + 17 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
I READ THIS BEFORE A TRIP TO LONDON. IT'S A GOOD HISTORY OF THE CITY, VERY DETAILED AND WRITTEN WITH CHARACTERS THAT FLOW OVER CENTURIES. SLOW AT TIMES, BUT I LIKED THE HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE ENOUGH TO KEEP READING AND I ENJOYED THE BOOK
reviewed London : The Novel on + 6 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
The historical recount of London told through fictional characters. Throughout the ages, from pre-Roman to the 20th century, new characters related to past characters move throughout London as their stories are told. Great Book...a little long, but intriguing beginning to end.
reviewed London : The Novel on + 11 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I love this novel... I would rate it just below Pillars of the Earth in this type of genre. Although I have read almost all of his novels, this one and Sarum are the best (in my humble opinion!).
reviewed London : The Novel on + 15 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
A lovely historical fiction novel about the early roots of Great Britain. A good, fascinating read!
Read All 27 Book Reviews of "London The Novel"

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reviewed London : The Novel on
This is a very interesting read--a fictionalized group of characters living in the real-world context of London, from about 50BC through the publishing date. The book is quite lengthy, but is broken up into chapters, each of which contains a separate (yet interconnected) story of London's inhabitants. A good read for anyone who has even the slightest interest in the history of London (specifically) or English inhabitants (generally).
Nedheadz avatar reviewed London : The Novel on + 128 more book reviews
A lengthy book that sat on my shelf awhile, just because it was too daunting to think about investing the time during the school year. I couldn't put it down!
This is a history of the city of London told via several families' stories. It is a fascinating look at everyday life during different periods of time and how the leadership (or lack thereof) helped our current system of democracy evolve. The 'big picture' story of the city is historically engaging, but the individual stories used to convey the city's story give a glimpse of how families are affected by the political and economic circumstances of one period for generations later.
It was creative and lively and kept me coming back. Though I do have to admit, that it took me a long time to finish it just because I do have other responsibilities during the school term that consume a lot of my time.
donnar avatar reviewed London : The Novel on + 22 more book reviews
Fascinating (but long) book of London and its origins, spanning the ages since BC. For me, there were almost too many characters to remember (but my memory's not the best). However, since I've always been fascinated by London it was an informing and entertaining saga, explaining the origins of so many things-(Ring Around the Rosy comes from the Black Plague!) If you like a good long book to sink your teeth into and you love history, this is a great one!
buzzby avatar reviewed London : The Novel on + 6062 more book reviews
My problem with this author is that he writes so matter-of-factly, like an engineer trying to be a novelist, that its hard to connect with his story. I've started 3 of his novels, couldn't connect.


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