The critically acclaimed novel of a compelling love affair and the decline of a once prosperous city .The birthplace of rock 'n' roll, Cleveland wa...
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Jan 11, 2008
Tracy
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A mix of fictional and real characters paints a rich portrait of an industrial city from a period of strength in the late forties to the beginning of serious decline in 1969. From the blue collar "ethnics" (my people) to the mafia to baseball of a bygone era, Mark Winegardner weaves together a fascinating array of stories and people.
The writer, a onetime Cleveland resident, captures the personality of the city so well. His dialogue for those blue collar "ethnics" More...
The writer, a onetime Cleveland resident, captures the personality of the city so well. His dialogue for those blue collar "ethnics" More...
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May 23, 2007
Caroline
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This book was long and it felt very long. By the end, I didn't care about any of the characters, except the minor ones, the ones that had died and the real life historical figures. Which is sad, because I started off caring so much about the main characters. They couldn't keep my interest. What did keep my interest is the prose. Very good throughout, with a sentence every once in a while that would blow me away. I really liked the parts about Cleveland history and how real people were wov
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Jun 19, 2011
Darlene
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A great friend gave me this book a while back and I put it on my challenge list for the year. I wasn't sure about it. It's a story about Cleveland and having lived in or near Pittsburgh for a large part of my life and just instinctively feeling that rivalry and dislike that exists, I didn't know if this would be a story that captured me. Having finished the book, I can say that I am SO glad I read this book!! This was a fantastic story! Actually, there was enough for two stories in this book. T
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May 29, 2011
Carly
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This is a very long, slowly paced novel. It was a long novel that felt extremely long. Although it took me about a week and a half to read it, I felt at times that I had been reading it for months. Winegardner writes very detailed prose that vividly captures mid-century Cleveland and is very informative but it can feel like a slog to get through. Throughout the story, Winegardner would intersperse chapters about important Cleveland personalities (Alan Freed, Vic Wertz, a Cleveland Indians baseba
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Feb 22, 2010
Marti
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My husband recommended this book to me. It is about Cleveland, and that's where my mother's family lived. It is a sort of two part book--some sections are factual, about real people and events, and then there is a recurring love story between David Zielinsky, the 'poor' boy, and the aristocratic Anne O'Connor, from the political family. He goes into politics after marrying the nurse, Irene and having three children, but eventually Irene leaves him for a doctor. In the meantime Anne goes from
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Oct 25, 2008
Khaya
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Originally I thought I would give this book 3 stars, because it had distinct strengths and weaknesses which initially averaged out to a reaction of, as La Petite would say, "meh-whatever." I ended up lowering the rating to 2 stars, though, because I felt the book was way too long, and that Winegardener went into great detail in describing some less relevant episodes/characters while totally skipping over aspects of the story with the potential to be really interesting. Although I sor
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Aug 22, 2011
J.
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This book by Mark Winegardner told me more about Cleveland than I knew, and more than I really was interested in knowing. He weas able to develop a few interesting characters and go with them over time. I did learn some interesting things about Cleveland, but it was a little difficult read for me. Some others I am sure will find a lot of good reading in this book because there is a lot of information packed in the story.
J. Robert Ewbank, author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the '
J. Robert Ewbank, author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the '
Aug 16, 2011
Bill
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I was familiar with Winegardner from his Godfather sequels but had this on the list for many years. Finally got to it. Not the greatest book I've ever read, but extremely well-written and the story moves along well enough. In short, a love story intertwined with the history of Cleveland from the early 1950s to 1969.
If you grew up in Cleveland and are over, say, forty-five years old, you should absolutely read this book.
If you grew up in Cleveland and are over, say, forty-five years old, you should absolutely read this book.
Feb 26, 2009
Lauren
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A bit disappointing at the end. Fun to have set in the context of Cleveland and its history from the 40's through the 70's but never develops the characters or plot as much as one expects.
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Mar 01, 2011
RUSA
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This was one of the 2002 RUSA Notable Books winners. For the complete list, go to http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/rusa/a...
Jan 12, 2009
Joe
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Very interesting social history of Cleveland. Could have ended about 200 pages earlier though.
Aug 25, 2009
Mark
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Winegardner matched history with fiction so perfectly that I kept wanting to Google the characters to see what they’re up to now.
Winegardener's book weaves the story of two people falling in love against the background of Cleveland history. That might not seem like the most interesting or romantic scenario, but Winegardener writes a very personal story interspersed with short narratives about Cleveland's famous and infamous citizens. That these historic sidebars are heavily footnoted More...
Winegardener's book weaves the story of two people falling in love against the background of Cleveland history. That might not seem like the most interesting or romantic scenario, but Winegardener writes a very personal story interspersed with short narratives about Cleveland's famous and infamous citizens. That these historic sidebars are heavily footnoted More...
Mar 17, 2011
Stephen King says: "A great American novel about...Cleveland? Yes, children, this is the real deal — by the man who has revived Mario Puzo's Godfather characters with such wit and élan."
Feb 19, 2008
Cara
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Interesting writing style that may throw some people off. The 3rd person narrator often jumps in to give information of past or future events (think 'Pushing Daisies'). The story is mainly of Cleveland, at its mid-century height then the beginning of its decline, told through the lives of 2 main characters, neither of which is very likeable. Reading this will give you an idea how Cleveland became the loser town it is today.
Apr 17, 2008
Clare
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A proud Clevelander will love the settings & historical Cleveland info. Even if you're not a Clevelander, the plot and characters are interesting.
A bit slow at the start, the novel finally takes off with great illustrations of the social underpinnings & struggles of its time. You get a clear and engaging picture of how current events affect the characters' daily lives.
I enjoyed watching history come to life.
A bit slow at the start, the novel finally takes off with great illustrations of the social underpinnings & struggles of its time. You get a clear and engaging picture of how current events affect the characters' daily lives.
I enjoyed watching history come to life.
May 15, 2010
Kara
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Although I did learn a little more about my new hometown, Cleveland, I was very disappointed in the style of this book. A long read that didn't consistently tie together, moving between history (sports, politics) and a love story.
Oct 20, 2007
Amy
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I loved this story and learned a lot about the history of Cleveland (east vs. west) from reading this book. Winegardner ably weaves together the fictional story of David Zielinsky, a young-man from the ethic, blue-collar, west-side and beautiful Anne O'Connor who hails from snooty Shaker Heights with stories of real-life characters such as Dorothy Fuldheim, Carl Stokes, Alan Freed and more!
Sep 28, 2010
Holly
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There were some interesting Cleveland facts scattered throughout the book, but, like other reviewers have commented, it was about 200 pages too long. By the time I got to the end, I had lost interest in the main characters. I would only recommend this book to Cleveland natives who would be interested in the references to Cleveland landmarks.
Oct 30, 2007
Andy
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Best thing I read in 2005. Angela suggested it. It may be more poignant for a native Clevelander, but would still be remarkable to anyone, I think.
Nov 07, 2008
Gretchen
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Good news friends, the Indians just won the World Series and beat Boston to do it! That's about as far as I've gotten in this one.
Aug 24, 2009
Eric
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Beautifully written book about the trials and triumphs of Cleveland. Really brings the time and place alive.
Sep 13, 2008
I have wanted to read Winegardner for quite awhile - this is supposed to be representative of his style.
Jun 02, 2008
Annette
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wanted to read it b/c it's about Cleveland and is historical fiction. was just ok. didn't finish
Feb 12, 2012
