Helpful Score: 5
The language used to tell this story is wonderfully descriptive, at times philosophical about the nature of time, human nature, and the mechanics of global give-and-take. Not quite historical fiction, not quite fantasy fiction, not quite science fiction, this story is a mix of all three. I would definitely read this book again, because the story is a good one, though the plot can be a bit choppy.
Helpful Score: 4
I think Nelda P. had it exactly right with the word "ethereal." Beautiful, dreamlike book that weaves an interesting story. Fantastical in a lot of things (hence the "dreamlike" description), but while I usually dislike that, I didn't mind it in this book -- it fits. Gorgeous prose and imagery. I read this book several years ago & still remember things from it.
Helpful Score: 2
Gorgeous writing! Helprin seems to know everything about everything, and his descriptions are like little gems.
This is one of the most magical, lovely books I have ever read. I never wanted it to end. Helprin's writing, his words, left me breathless.
Helpful Score: 1
A love affair between an Irish burglar and an upper middle class young woman. Beautiful prose transports you to an ethereal New York City.
Helpful Score: 1
Not sure if I would have read this one if I'd known more about it/how much fantasy it included, but I got in too far to quit. Story takes place in New York in the early 1900's and in 1999, mostly in winters. Well written but not really my cup of tea. I think this is one of those books you either really love or just don't quite get.
Helpful Score: 1
I really tried to get into this book. Really, I did. But, I couldn't.
Helpful Score: 1
I didn't really like this book, but the person who gave it to me loved it!
Helpful Score: 1
The depth of detail drawns you in with descriptions of such clarity that cause images appear in the readers mind of their own accord. There are parts that need reading carefully to gain the full meaning or you could just reread the book later. Every time I read it I find something new, some new detail or scene, that I did not see before.
I do not suggest this book for readers who like their books to have linear storylines or those who need all the loose ends tied up.
I do not suggest this book for readers who like their books to have linear storylines or those who need all the loose ends tied up.
I love Mark Helprin and his writing style, and because I appreciate his language in his literature, I was absolutely entranced by this novel. It is beautiful, it is magical, it is fantastical, and I LOVED IT! I'm also a native New Yorker and the locations and his descriptions of them transported me to the city I adore, all the while imagining myself standing in the shadows watching this epic tale unfold.
I loved this book and have read it twice so far. Wonderful fantasy of New York that made me see it with different eyes. I find myself in Grand Central Terminal, looking up at the celestial ceiling, trying to find the little window.
Tough to read. Gave up after 200 pages. Too much fantasy.
To anyone who read this book (or even if you haven't read it yet)....this book is now out in a DVD movie thru Netflix & I just watched the movie & it is WONDERFUL!!!!!
Actors in the movie are: Colin Farrell, Jessica Brown Findlay (from Downton Abbey), Russell Crowe, Will Smith, William Hurt, Jennifer Connelly....leading stars in the movie. I really was so pleasantly surprised at the story....enjoyed it very much!
Sometimes the movie is much better than the book!
Actors in the movie are: Colin Farrell, Jessica Brown Findlay (from Downton Abbey), Russell Crowe, Will Smith, William Hurt, Jennifer Connelly....leading stars in the movie. I really was so pleasantly surprised at the story....enjoyed it very much!
Sometimes the movie is much better than the book!
To anyone who read this book (or even if you haven't read it yet)....this book is now out in a DVD movie thru Netflix & I just watched the movie & it is WONDERFUL!!!!!
Actors in the movie are: Colin Farrell, Jessica Brown Findlay (from Downton Abbey), Russell Crowe, Will Smith, William Hurt, Jennifer Connelly....leading stars in the movie. I really was so pleasantly surprised at the story....enjoyed it very much!
Sometimes the movie is much better than the book!
Actors in the movie are: Colin Farrell, Jessica Brown Findlay (from Downton Abbey), Russell Crowe, Will Smith, William Hurt, Jennifer Connelly....leading stars in the movie. I really was so pleasantly surprised at the story....enjoyed it very much!
Sometimes the movie is much better than the book!
To anyone who read this book (or even if you haven't read it yet)....this book is now out in a DVD movie thru Netflix & I just watched the movie & it is WONDERFUL!!!!!
Actors in the movie are: Colin Farrell, Jessica Brown Findlay (from Downton Abbey), Russell Crowe, Will Smith, William Hurt, Jennifer Connelly....leading stars in the movie. I really was so pleasantly surprised at the story....enjoyed it very much!
Sometimes the movie is much better than the book!
Actors in the movie are: Colin Farrell, Jessica Brown Findlay (from Downton Abbey), Russell Crowe, Will Smith, William Hurt, Jennifer Connelly....leading stars in the movie. I really was so pleasantly surprised at the story....enjoyed it very much!
Sometimes the movie is much better than the book!
To anyone who read this book (or even if you haven't read it yet)....this book is now out in a DVD movie thru Netflix & I just watched the movie & it is WONDERFUL!!!!!
Actors in the movie are: Colin Farrell, Jessica Brown Findlay (from Downton Abbey), Russell Crowe, Will Smith, William Hurt, Jennifer Connelly....leading stars in the movie. I really was so pleasantly surprised at the story....enjoyed it very much!
Sometimes the movie is much better than the book!
Actors in the movie are: Colin Farrell, Jessica Brown Findlay (from Downton Abbey), Russell Crowe, Will Smith, William Hurt, Jennifer Connelly....leading stars in the movie. I really was so pleasantly surprised at the story....enjoyed it very much!
Sometimes the movie is much better than the book!
To anyone who read this book (or even if you haven't read it yet)....this book is now out in a DVD movie thru Netflix & I just watched the movie & it is WONDERFUL!!!!!
Actors in the movie are: Colin Farrell, Jessica Brown Findlay (from Downton Abbey), Russell Crowe, Will Smith, William Hurt, Jennifer Connelly....leading stars in the movie. I really was so pleasantly surprised at the story....enjoyed it very much!
Sometimes the movie is much better than the book!
Actors in the movie are: Colin Farrell, Jessica Brown Findlay (from Downton Abbey), Russell Crowe, Will Smith, William Hurt, Jennifer Connelly....leading stars in the movie. I really was so pleasantly surprised at the story....enjoyed it very much!
Sometimes the movie is much better than the book!
To anyone who read this book (or even if you haven't read it yet)....this book is now out in a DVD movie thru Netflix & I just watched the movie & it is WONDERFUL!!!!!
Actors in the movie are: Colin Farrell, Jessica Brown Findlay (from Downton Abbey), Russell Crowe, Will Smith, William Hurt, Jennifer Connelly....leading stars in the movie. I really was so pleasantly surprised at the story....enjoyed it very much!
Sometimes the movie is much better than the book!
Actors in the movie are: Colin Farrell, Jessica Brown Findlay (from Downton Abbey), Russell Crowe, Will Smith, William Hurt, Jennifer Connelly....leading stars in the movie. I really was so pleasantly surprised at the story....enjoyed it very much!
Sometimes the movie is much better than the book!
To anyone who read this book (or even if you haven't read it yet)....this book is now out in a DVD movie thru Netflix & I just watched the movie & it is WONDERFUL!!!!!
Actors in the movie are: Colin Farrell, Jessica Brown Findlay (from Downton Abbey), Russell Crowe, Will Smith, William Hurt, Jennifer Connelly....leading stars in the movie. I really was so pleasantly surprised at the story....enjoyed it very much!
Sometimes the movie is much better than the book!
Actors in the movie are: Colin Farrell, Jessica Brown Findlay (from Downton Abbey), Russell Crowe, Will Smith, William Hurt, Jennifer Connelly....leading stars in the movie. I really was so pleasantly surprised at the story....enjoyed it very much!
Sometimes the movie is much better than the book!
Wow what a tale. I almost quit reading this after the first 50 pages but decided to hang in there. The story was interesting, Peter Lake a great main strong character. It reminded me of a Stephen King book and I have always enjoyed his books so kept reading. Story was good but found myself skipping over a lot of the details that were hard to follow but was still able to get the gist of the main story. Was a long book too...
Very descriptive writing, but the plot failed to engage me.
