03-11-2021, 12:34 PM | #1 |
Grand Sorcerer
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Historical Fiction about New York
I'm looking for historical sagas about New York, similar to Edward Rutherfurd's New York or Bruce Nicolaysen's de Kuypers series (sadly not available as e-books)--sweeping multigenerational stories, not simply novels set in New York. Any ideas?
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03-11-2021, 12:46 PM | #2 |
o saeclum infacetum
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Have you read Banished Children of Eve by Peter Quinn? It’s set during the Civil War but still has the sweep you’re looking for.
I love books set in New York; I’ll check my lists to see what else I might find. |
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03-11-2021, 01:07 PM | #3 |
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Thanks. I don't see an e-book for Banished Children of Eve, unfortunately, though apparently a new paper edition is coming out next month.
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03-11-2021, 01:11 PM | #4 |
o saeclum infacetum
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Oops, sorry. I’m not all that fond of multi-generational novels, but how would you feel about novels that are as much about New York and a particular time in its history as they are about plot and characters? The historical fiction I’ve liked best set in New York tends to be specific to a particular time, but very much about the time and place.
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03-11-2021, 02:08 PM | #5 | |
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03-12-2021, 05:08 AM | #6 | |
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I read and liked the book Elizabeth Street by Fabiano. It'll be hard to find a book that is such a sweeping multi generational book such as those done by Rutherford as his books are as much about the place as they are the characters. But I did like this one. Currently 4.99 for a Kindle at Amazon.
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03-12-2021, 04:24 PM | #7 | |
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03-13-2021, 09:27 AM | #8 |
o saeclum infacetum
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I’m struggling with this and I thought it would be easy. In part, it’s the ebook issue. Another that has stayed with me is 1939 The Lost World of the Fair by David Gelernter, but no joy on the ebook front.
So, what’s left? I can mildly recommend the recent prize-winning Golden Hill by Francis Spufford, set pre-Revolution. The New York aspects are excellent, but the story is less so, IMO. I very much liked Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann, winner of the National Book Award, but it might not be set long ago enough to qualify as historical for you. It’s mostly about the day of Philippe Petit’s amazing feat, but even a tangential WTC book might be upsetting. In any case you’re probably aware of both of these. I know you’re no fan of fantasy, but the historical New York aspect of Jack Finney’s two time-travel novels, From Time to Time and Time and Again is fascinating. Both books are quick reads and the fantasy isn’t the mists and magical creatures kind. |
03-13-2021, 09:37 AM | #9 |
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Edith Wharton's Old New York: Four Novellas covers the 1840's, 1850's, 1860's, and 1870's.
Individual titles: False Dawn, The Old Maid, The Spark, and New Year's Day |
03-13-2021, 06:43 PM | #10 |
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And the Wharton books are in the Kindle and Epub Libraries here.
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03-14-2021, 12:58 PM | #11 | ||
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03-14-2021, 01:38 PM | #12 | |
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It took me several years to tackle McCann so I get it. |
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03-14-2021, 03:07 PM | #13 | |
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03-14-2021, 03:37 PM | #14 |
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03-16-2021, 04:40 PM | #15 |
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