[.ca] Ragtime (ISBN 2290301159)

always a classic:
I first read this book in high school and have since read it again. It's one of my all time favorites. Ragtime captures the essence of the early 1900's in a way that's illuminating without becoming hokey or caricatured. While this portrayal in itself is satisfying, it is only a backdrop for an epic fable of class and love. The weaving together of three seperate tales keeps the reader interested by not lingering too long in any spot. It gets better I've time I read it.

Ragtime: Distant Thunder:
When I first heard of Ragtime, it was in the musical form of the book. The musical interested me so much, that I decided to read the book as well. I highly recommend both. This book is wonderful! It is very historical, and one must applaud Doctorow for being so accurate. Take Henry Ford. Not only does he talk about the relationship of him and J.P. Morgan, but also says something about his anti-semitism (Which is a proven fact). He gives a real person, Evelyn Nesbit, heart when she helps Tateh and The Little Girl. Emma Goldman is an influence in Younger Brother's life. All of the historical characters tie in with the fiction characters perfectly. Father's relationship with Admiral Peary is another example. All of the subplots tie in perfectly as well. Coalhouse and The Famliy, Tateh and Mother, the Younger Brother "saga" are all subplots that are like this. The only "problem" with this book is the Tateh subplot. Doctorow uses him as a metaphor for the immigrant population so it gets a bit confusing somewhat. You don't know if that is all of the immigrants or just him. Also, Tateh is never really part of the story. His character is more of an onlooker, watching other people in his life. However, all in all this book is one of the best I have read. I recommend it for all historical fiction fans and also recommend that if you have read the book, listen to the wonderful musical written by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaterery.

Haunting and Beautiful:
I delayed reading this book for many years, because it sounded sort of hokey. That was a HUGE mistake. It is one of the most beautiful books that I've ever read. It makes me cringe when people describe a book using the "tapestry" metaphor, but it is really fitting here: the reader watches, spellbound, as a city full of individual lives come and go and interact in surprising ways during a fascinating period of American history. Everyone is here: the Gilded Age millionaires, the upper middle class suburbanites, the newly-arrived immigrants, the writers and singers and musicians, the protesters. Every thread that still makes up a city appears and lives and works together. We see them all, and we see the world as they see it, even if only for a few moments. The book has some funny moments and some poignant moments, but ultimately it will leave you feeling like you've witnessed some very important events.

Captivating and real:
This was required reading when I was in college and I wasn't optimistic going in. Then I got past the first two chapters and was hooked! Brilliant story, great and believable characters, and interesting historical facts (just enough to make it even more interesting) was what sold me. By the time I finished I was sorry the book had to end. This is Doctorow's best effort and a must read for anyone. Regardless of what genre you're into, this is a fun book, like Berendt's Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, McCrae's Bark of the Dogwood, or Brown's Da Vinci Code. Also recommended: The Da Vinci Code, Bark of the Dogwood, To Kill a Mockingbird

Brilliant:
There's too much happening in this great novel to go into detail, but suffice it to say that if you're even remotely interested in history and/or good writing, this is the book for you. With scenes ranging from hysterical to repulsive (I'm referring to the one with the dead horse) E.L. Doctorow has given us a rollicking good time in the key of turn-of-the-century America, resplendent with all its ills and wonders. I hate to use this phrase, but it applies here: "I couldn't put it down!" Also recommended: McCrae's "Bark of the Dogwood"