Hosack's Folly: A Novel of Old New York

by Gillen D'Arcy Wood

Twenty years after the ill-fated duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, Hamilton's doctor, Bellevue Hospital founder David Hosack, struggles to contain a yellow fever outbreak on the New York docks, a situation that is complicated by corrupt politicians and powerful merchants who would cover up the threat.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, New York

408 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Associate professor of English at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little hard to get into, this book does eventually drag the reader in to its characters and subject matter. Worth sticking it out to the end, if not a touch predictable in its ending.

[LS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed/admired this debut historical, surprised by its rich complexity and truly informed about a significant moment in US history. Won't forget the name - HOSACK. Should be statues all over NYC to this remarkable MD. I knew about the effect of yellow fever in New Orleans, but never realized its impact on northeastern ports like NYC, Philly, Boston. In a time of HAMILTON frenzy, this book begins with Burr's fatal shot and then jumps ahead 2 decades. Gripping plot, strong characterization. I'll look for future books by this author. I only give 5's to the best literary fiction, but this historical belongs at the top of that genre!

[Sammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think if you're more familiar with New York City than you'll appreciate this book more than I did. Certain things were presented in such a way that I felt like I should know about it already and think how cool it is that this is how it's being presented! Wow! No... not really.

While this was an interesting read it was also a confusing read. With so much going on at once and a lot of politcal jargon being used, it was very hard to follow most of the time. The characters were also pretty... blah. The characters were either too flat or too annoying to like any of them.

Yet there was something about this book kept me reading. Something kept pulling at me and wouldn't allow me to just stop. It was slightly hard to focus, but I was able to keep getting back on track. Perhaps it's Woods skill as a writer, that was something that was definitely a plus about this book.

So who knows if you'll like this book or not. Maybe you'll be like me and not be too fond of it, but still unable to put it down. Let me know. It's a toss up, who knows what you'll think.