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Winter's Tale
One night in New York, a city under siege by snow, Peter Lake attempts to rob a fortress-like mansion on the Upper West Side. Though he thinks it is empty, the daughter of the house is home . . .
Thus begins the affair between this Irish burglar and Beverly Penn, a young girl dying of consumption. It is a love so powerful that Peter will be driven to stop time and bring back the dead; A New York Winter's Tale is the story of that extraordinary journey.
Thus begins the affair between this Irish burglar and Beverly Penn, a young girl dying of consumption. It is a love so powerful that Peter will be driven to stop time and bring back the dead; A New York Winter's Tale is the story of that extraordinary journey.
768 pages, Paperback
First published January 7, 2014
24 people are currently reading
314 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
July 8, 2014
This is possibly the greatest book I have ever read.
Don't be put-off by the many low reviews it has received, if you read them you realize that most of these people never even read the first fourth of the book.
Helprin doesn't make this an easy book to get into. Unlike other books with complicated settings, like Dune, where the reader is introduced to the setting over time, Winters Tale does not do a very good job of easing the reader into the experience. This means you need to concentrate, and, more importantly, you need to read the whole book.
Helprin creates fantastic and amazing imagery with this novel. He is the only author I would trust to put human experiences into words, he writes so very well.
The plot of this novel is very intricate, and the real story only begins about 35% of the way through, much of the beginning is just precursor. Once you begin to get into the actual story, it becomes incredible. You need to be a patient and imaginative reader to enjoy this book. This book is very deep and very powerful, but it is not for all.
Unfortunately, a movie has been made already. This movie focuses on about perhaps 9% of the book and it's characters, please, do not associate this book with the movie.
I can't write as well as Helprin, and I certainly cannot give this book the justice it deserves. The locations and the characters and the allegories are still very present in my mind, even though I finished it a month before writing this review. If you choose to read this book, you need to read the entire thing, and you need to completely suspend your disbelief, just go with what is happening, no matter how strange it is. If you read the entire book, everything will make sense.
“The shelf was filled with books that were hard to read, that could devastate and remake one's soul, and that, when they were finished, had a kick like a mule.” (Helprins own quote describes this book better than I.)
Don't be put-off by the many low reviews it has received, if you read them you realize that most of these people never even read the first fourth of the book.
Helprin doesn't make this an easy book to get into. Unlike other books with complicated settings, like Dune, where the reader is introduced to the setting over time, Winters Tale does not do a very good job of easing the reader into the experience. This means you need to concentrate, and, more importantly, you need to read the whole book.
Helprin creates fantastic and amazing imagery with this novel. He is the only author I would trust to put human experiences into words, he writes so very well.
The plot of this novel is very intricate, and the real story only begins about 35% of the way through, much of the beginning is just precursor. Once you begin to get into the actual story, it becomes incredible. You need to be a patient and imaginative reader to enjoy this book. This book is very deep and very powerful, but it is not for all.
Unfortunately, a movie has been made already. This movie focuses on about perhaps 9% of the book and it's characters, please, do not associate this book with the movie.
I can't write as well as Helprin, and I certainly cannot give this book the justice it deserves. The locations and the characters and the allegories are still very present in my mind, even though I finished it a month before writing this review. If you choose to read this book, you need to read the entire thing, and you need to completely suspend your disbelief, just go with what is happening, no matter how strange it is. If you read the entire book, everything will make sense.
“The shelf was filled with books that were hard to read, that could devastate and remake one's soul, and that, when they were finished, had a kick like a mule.” (Helprins own quote describes this book better than I.)
March 21, 2014
I will be honest, I stopped reading this about 150 pages in. This book drove me nuts. First we start reading from the horses perspective, then Peter Lake and then some thug, the head of the shirt tails. Its taking too long to get to the plot and I gave up. This maybe a great book for someone but not for me.
March 27, 2014
This book is pure torture. I was reading it for book club, but I just could not get through it. It was page, after page of me praying that it would end SOON. Finally I reminded myself that reading should not cause you pain.
This long, drawn out tale failed to capture my mind, heart or even my interest.
This long, drawn out tale failed to capture my mind, heart or even my interest.
June 14, 2014
I really couldn't even get through this one. Initial plot seemed interesting, then I just couldn't follow the ridiculousness of it all and gave up 1/4 of the way through. It was also kind of confusing; I found myself having to re-read previous pages in order to understand what was happening. After seeing the movie (out of curiously) I'm glad I didn't waste my time finishing the book.
March 23, 2014
If I could give less than one star I would. I forced myself to read this book all the way through. It never got any better and as far as I could tell it had no real plot. Now I'll have to watch the movie just to find out how they managed to put all that mess together.
July 10, 2014
This is a work that is best suited for those that enjoy varied characters and delving deep into their lives and how they intertwine, complex and descriptive prose, and magical realism. I loved the length and depth with which this world encompassed me, and the hope that shines through.
January 5, 2015
Let me preface this with, I'm a big fan of chick lit (Liane Moriarty) and historical fiction (Kate Morton) so when I saw the preview for this movie I thought I would read the book first. The movie made it look right up my alley. Oh, this book... I started it on vacation in Hawaii and was practically in tears cause it was so miserable. That was February. I've spent the last 8 months trying to wade through this whimsical fairy tale. The book is not based in reality at all, yet kept throwing in modern day references seemingly just to mess with me. The Colin Farrell character from the previews is in about 10% of this nearly 800 page book. The rest was noise. Page after page of descriptions of snow and jumping between characters like it couldn't decide what story to tell. I'm sure this type of storytelling is someone's cup of tea just really not mine. The ending had me going "What?!!? Seriously? That's the ending?" But then I didn't care cause I was so happy to be done with it. If I wasn't so stubborn I would've given up on it about 12% in. I have it 2 stars cause there would be small stretches where I was interested but that probably totaled about 200 of 750 pages. Sigh...
December 3, 2014
Not a lighthearted entertaining read. This book does not follow a traditional plot line, nor does it give all the answers. Winters Tale is less a modern novel and more then it is a painting. It provides a brief glimpse of a landscape and leaves the reader to fill in the rest of the detail. The book isn't 'about' and single character, though it does follow some more than others, but about being human and seeing more that what is in front of your face. And in the same way you have to look for meaning in the book, otherwise it will just seem to be a dull and perhaps a bit pretentious.
September 23, 2015
After spending a whole year trying to not give up on this book, and reading 6 others in the mean time, after getting about 80% through, I stopped reading. This book makes no sense to me. Characters are not relatable, most of them aren't likable and back stories don't mesh. Rarely do I ever not finish a book but this one was the one. 80% through and I still didn't know what the point of the book was.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2015
Your patience in reading this book is thoroughly rewarded. You have to wade through the slow plot, multiple character story lines, and some confusion and just appreciate the book for what it is, beautifully written. Helprin writes creates stunning mental images of light, snow and a city that is the most important main character. This is a book to slow down with and savor.
September 6, 2016
Only read about 150 pgs - I just couldn't get into the book. Checked this one out from the library and my renewals ran out, I didn't care enough to check it back out. I didn't like how the perspective kept changing. I was intrigued by the movie trailer and I always like to read the book first, but I just can't follow through on this one.
May 20, 2015
Wonderful language and descriptions, incredibly visual. There were a lot of characters many of which were intertwined, I just wish these moments were stronger. I think some of the characters needed more urgency to really make me feel more for this story. I had to start over sections numerous times because I'd lose track of what was happening, definitely not an easy read.
Read
April 18, 2014Couldn't get into this and life is too short to read books that I have to work at. Read about 40 pages and it was a struggle to keep going so I gave up. There are too many other books out there that are enticing me. I may come back to this one but ...... I doubt it.
September 13, 2016
I must admit, I stopped reading this book at the end of part I. I enjoyed what I read, but didn't choose to follow the hero into his next life. Perhaps later.
Loved the writing, the fantasy, and most of the characters. May pick it up again in the future.
Loved the writing, the fantasy, and most of the characters. May pick it up again in the future.
April 7, 2014
I thought it was just me! After reading the reviews, I realize I should trust my judgement and taste in literature. This book was TERRIBLE. I don't usually give up on a book, but at 28% through, I have to. Ugh. Seriously awful, confusing, irritating. Several nights of my life I'll never get back.
August 19, 2014
If you can get through the first half, the second half has some of the most beautifully written insightful passages I have ever read. One has to be willing to suspend reality and persevere through confusion, but I found the journey worth the effort.
January 1, 2015
This book was odd, confusing and a little hard to get through. However, I followed through because I wanted to finish it before I watched the movie. In this case, the movie was better, but to understand the movie, you needed to read the book
May 5, 2015
This was a pretty great book, unfortunately... I watched the movie before reading this so wasn't able to appreciate the literary form first. Still, a pretty wonderful storyline scabs different than the books I typically read.
March 5, 2014
i just can't get in to it. maybe i'll try again later
May 27, 2014
I gave up. Too much trying to be a great writer and not enough story telling.
April 2, 2014
I had to stop reading this book at 40%, which I NEVER do!! Confusing and uninteresting.
April 3, 2014
Stopped reading. Rarely do that.
April 6, 2014
Painful-couldn't finish
August 27, 2016
Gave up. After 100 pages couldn't decide if I'd met the main character yet, at page 200 didn't care.
May 26, 2014
Couldn't get to the end - it just failed to catch my interest, and I almost always finish any book I start...
June 6, 2014
Very disjointed. Not sure what the message was supposed to be. I kept reading because I felt the SURELY it would be made clear. It wasnt.
June 21, 2014
If you can endure to the half way point. It gets much better at the end but I'm still not clear on a lot of it.
June 26, 2014
Couldn't get into it Stopped reading right away as I knew it just want getting my interest
July 27, 2014
Gave up less than 100 pages in.
July 19, 2014
Worth the read, but hard to follow.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews