Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow, chapters 1 - 20

[George]

Please comment here on Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow, chapters 1 - 20.

[George]

I read this book four years ago and couldn't recall much about it before I started reading it yesterday, only that it provided a good view of life in the ten years before World War One in New York and was an enjoyable, interesting, easy read.

In the first half of this book there are no main characters or strong plot line. The story is told by an unnamed writer who writes briefly about his 'father', 'mother' and 'younger brother', usually with some connection to a well known contemporary figure. There are a number of short stories on contemporary figures including Houdini, Emma Goldman, Freud, Ford, and Morgan.

An originally written historical fiction novel that is an engaging read. You should find this a worthwhile read if you are interested in the ten year period before World War One in New York and like reading loosely connected short stories.

Doctorow has a smooth, flowing writing style. A similar writing style to his novel, Billy Bathgate.

[Leslie]

I started it today and am loving it! I miss my piano. He very quickly puts you in the time period and you are right, the writing moves effortless through time and characters. The history is quite interesting. I never knew much about most of the behind-the-scenes for these famous people. Certainly names are changed and things are off by a generation or so, but the history is there. Houdini was quite interesting. I love the jail scene. :-)

[George]

Glad you're enjoying this book. There's more interesting Houdini information in the later half of the book.

[Leslie]

It reminds me quite a bit of The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America by Erik Larson. As a Southerner, I don't always know much about some of these places. For instance, I have no idea what statue sits on top of Madison Square Garden and then I find myself trying to remember the promos for the boxing matches and such. Nothing comes to mind.

I'm trying to think....was Houdini the gateway for the circus magic act? I'm guessing he quite likely was, but am not sure. It's so interesting reading about it. History being made in that moment. It would make a terrific film I think.

Coney Island and Brooklyn are places I have nothing firsthand on, but I do know a few things about architects, but not this one, so will need to read up on him. I know we are off, but only slightly, in the history.

[Leslie]

Here's the statue: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diana_(...

The architect - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanfor...

Evelyn - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evelyn_...

[George]

Thanks for the links. The article on the Diana statue is quite interesting, as are the links on White and Nesbit. Doctorow has nicely written the reported history of the murder of White by Thaw into Ragtime.

[Leslie]

And, actually, I'm finding this book has already been made into a movie, 1981, and musical, 1988. And, I do remember the movie and it was terrific.

Current MSG has no statue...which is why I couldn't remember it. :-)

[Leslie]

George wrote: "Thanks for the links. The article on the Diana statue is quite interesting, as are the links on White and Nesbit. Doctorow has nicely written the reported history of the murder of White by Thaw int..."

Yes, I agree

[Julia]

I'm so irritated, somehow I didn't order the book...and you guys are making it sound so good! I'll have to run to the library! (I have the next book we read though! Jeesh!)

[Mary]

I had read this book 2 years ago, but didn't remember much of it. So am reading again. It's quite enjoyable and I like the intermingling of historical and fictional characters. Just had a LOL moment when Freud and Jung went together on a boat ride through the Tunnel of Love at Coney Island.

[George]

Mary, you just inspired me to flick through a few pages of Ragtime and read at random. What I noticed was the wealth of information on the period prior to World War One. For example, Nesbit's anonymous contributions to the disadvantaged poor; Morgan's loan to the Government in 1907, saving it from bankruptcy; the consumption of food was a sacrament of success, President Taft weighed 332 pounds; Booker T. Washington wrote a best selling book about his life;......Ragtime is certainly an interesting, engaging read.