London: The Novel

My dad suggested I read this book years ago when I was a teen. I did, and found it fascinating. Now I'm reading it again at midlife, and am happy to say it's still very interesting and well-written. I agree with many of the "one-star" reviewers of this book that the characters are very flat. I believe, though, that this is intentional. Even if not intentional, it works, because this book is not about the people in it. This book is about the city itself. The characters are simply a catalyst to get us from one historical period to the next. We aren't meant to have an actual interest in their personal lives, but occasionally we do, and that's a credit to the writer that he can make us care about people with whom we are involved on only a passing level. However, we never really have to say goodbye to the supporting cast, because they are incarnated through the development of the story as descendants of the same pivotal families. Some folks also complains that this is "history lite." They are correct. But this book is covering thousands of years, so how can it be anything but that? It's a really interesting way to present an overview of history. A summary, in fact, that hopefully will compel the reader to learn more about bits of it they find particularly interesting. Looking back on it from my reading of it now, to when Dad first proposed it, I find he was pretty smart. He got me interested in various topics--introduced to me via this book when I was young--that I have since explored in-depth over the years.

If your eyes glazed over while reading history books or in class, this may be just what was missing while you were in school. Author Edward Rutherfurd painstakingly presents us with the development of London through 2,000 years of history. While Rutherfurd is a scholar, this is not a scholarly work. Nor, is it a dry accounting. Interwoven through the centuries are the generations of fictional families that give us the human interest element. You might even think of it as history delivered soap opera style. A work of this scope cannot dwell for long on any single period of time. The early story includes the Ice Age, Vikings, Druids, Caesar crossing the Thames, and the Roman occupation of (then) Londonum. Despite the many hundreds of pages, major historical events receive a smattering of attention. This novel presents us with Medieval times, brings us into the Renaissance and into our present day. While doing this, Rutherfurd includes architecture, the royal houses of Europe, literature (even Chaucer is a character), theater, the Catholic Church and Protestantism, politics, wars, the beginnings of guilds, and the development of London's sprawl from a primitive settlement to a modern city. There are a few points to mention. The first one has nothing to do with the story but rather, reading this book on a Kindle. Obviously, it is far easier to lift/carry/hold than the heavy paper version. But the downside is that, it is impossible to see the maps that are so helpful in the hard copy version. Sometimes it was difficult to remember characters. If you don't read for a while, continuity may be lost. There are so many characters it's hard to keep them in mind. While I applaud the author for writing an engaging historical novel, character development was lacking. But then, how could he possibly have included such a scope of history if he had not curtailed his characters in some way? True to the times of sons following fathers in their line of work or being apprenticed out, Rutherfurd's history is accurate. However, he used specific trans-generational traits that just didn't ring true. Characters imbued with strength, honor, or simplemindedness for example, made them less believable. Conversely, it could be seen as the author's device for helping the reader keep track of the many characters. Is it worth investing your money and time to read LONDON: A NOVEL? Yes, if you enjoy (re)learning history. Yes, if you like seeing how climate, politics, wars, illnesses, and human frailties have forged into creating our past and (hopefully) appreciating how they impact our future. And yes, if you relish seeing places you've been or, plan to see for yourself.

This is a long listen. But is kept my attention with its mix of history and characters. It was like one long documentary with the stories of the individuals as bridges tying the history together. It was engaging.

If you appreciate: - researched and thorough information; - well written, well-paced novels; - travelling through time or being absorbed by a good story; - learning about people, the evolution of civilization, the history of economic development I highly recommend "London: The Novel." The richness of the content supported by factual events and great characters make the reading of "London" as much a vacation read as a learning experience. This book was my first Rutherfurd read, and since I have read almost all his other books and referred them as well. Now my wish is he covers some cities or regions for my personal interest (say Paris or Montreal). Historical fiction, when in the hands of a solid author, is a fantastic way to learn about our past to understand the present. Rutherfurd has mastered the art of storytelling in a compelling and informative way. No doubt purists will say there are questionable areas on some facts, but history is not always about the actual day the event happened or if there was more or less rain during a storm; it is about providing context to help understand and build our own referential.

I STRONGLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE INTERESTED IN THE HISTORY OF LONDON OR ENGLAND . You'll learn more about the history of London reading this book than in any degree and, what's more, this novel will turn you into a witness of the major events in London history. You won't be reading about history. You'll be part of London history¡ Don't miss it¡

This book came as no surprise as, already,I am a devoted admirer of Edward Rutherford's writing and have previously read LONDON. Normally, living in the States but having the opportunity to be in the UK for several months it occurred to me that this would be a book that my husband and I could read in tandem and would provide much discussion: hence the purchase of two copies. Additionally, I found a detailed map of London and with the help of the maps included with the narrative have been able to pinpoint places mentioned. For me, this is a totally fascinating, and well researched, fictional history of the City of London and a volume that I have had in my permanent library (along with Mr. Rutherford's other works) for a number of years. I was delighted to find an Amazon.co.uk supplier who could provide me with two copies of LONDON and who delivered them well in advance of my arrival at my holiday destination. In conjunction with these book, I also bought NEW YORK by the same author but have yet to read it. A future pleasure!

Estou relendo. A primeira vez foi há quase 20 anos em Português. Continua sendo muito bom. Estou na metade.

Rutherfurd's London gave me an unexpected access to understand what is at the source of the characters that had succeed and build the part of our world that we call the occident. Not much fun to read, parts of it I thought had to much detail, and at points it was hard to identify the many characters, yet it was an amazing learning book.

Pour qui aime les romans historiques basés sur des faites réels et précis, Edward Rutherfurd est un maître incontesté.