[.ca] Between Two Rivers (ISBN 0060578777)

a novel of characters:
Between Two Rivers is something different from the usual adventure story or chick lit, a novel that really invests in characters and how they change over time. Itâ¬ll be a long while before I forget about the tenants of Echo Terrace, from the all-knowing concierge to the dying frozen-food magnate in the penthouse. And the writing is as smooth as silk.

Hits the Spot:
When i read that Between Two Rivers incorporates the events of September 11th i said to myself "oh no, another opportunistic slice of life tale..." but i was wrong. Rinaldi delivers poignant characters larger than the Towers, in the end, who help us get perspective on perseverence and living through our flawed decisions. From plastic surgeons and frozen foods kings to despondant relatives of Teddy Roosevelt, this book has it all....

Captivating:
Between Two Rivers is a captivating read. Rinaldi's writing is lyrical, and his international cast of characters highly vivid. While the novel concludes with the tragedies of September 11th, Between Two Rivers nonetheless captures a broad swath of human emotions--There is passion, but so to enduring humor.

A Poignant Account of a Dazzling Array of City Dwellers:
Rinaldi's latest novel, set in a condo in lower Manhattan, is a profoundly rich exploration of an exotic cross-section of the world's population. The lives of the inhabitants, who are an interesting assortment of rich and poor alike, are compelling and fully realized in themselves; yet they intersect in ways that form a rich tapestry of experience, underscoring our popfound need for human interdependence. Executed in beautifully textured prose, these stories are all inner journeys into the self which eventually move the characters towards self-understanding and acceptance.

"Between Two Rivers" Will Inspire Generations:
"Between Two Rivers" is a mesmerizing novel. It depicts the lives of the diverse residents of Echo Terrace, a condiminium in lower Manhatten, concluding with the events of September 11, 2001. Nicholas Rinaldi is a knowledgable and sensitive writer, as evidenced in his numerous historical allusions, his detailed descriptions, his command of language and use of foreign terms, his philosophical speculations, and more. His portrayal of human thoughts and emotions gives his characters life--life that is fictitious yet real; strange yet familiar. Despite its complex characters, images and themes, the novel exudes a simplicity that makes it highly accessible and easy to read. This is one of the many remarkable aspects of this work. Towards the end of the novel, we join the characters and relive the tragedy of 9/11 in Rinaldi's vivid representation of that unforgettable day. Nonetheless, the author's words inspire us with hope and optimism. Throughout the novel, Rinaldi's intelligent humor is entertaining and uplifting, even in the darkest of pages.