Vashbear@bookwyrm.social reviewed Ragtime by E. L. Doctorow
Amazing and Relevant in November 2024
5 stars
This is an odd book, and I mean that in the best possible way. It is not really plot driven - there are several disjointed stories linked together. It is not really character driven -- unless you consider the Ragtime era (roughly 1900-1917) to be the main character. It mixes historical figures and events along with fictional ones -- but in a way that you learn a lot about the real history and zeitgeist of that era. But it all somehow works spectacularly -- i was engrossed in the book and read it very quickly. The writing is amazing -- very clear, concise sentences that work together to be vivid thought provoking. it was written 50 years ago about a time 125 years ago..but it is extremely current and relevant as it is about culture going through great changes.
This was the first book I have read by Doctorow, and …
This is an odd book, and I mean that in the best possible way. It is not really plot driven - there are several disjointed stories linked together. It is not really character driven -- unless you consider the Ragtime era (roughly 1900-1917) to be the main character. It mixes historical figures and events along with fictional ones -- but in a way that you learn a lot about the real history and zeitgeist of that era. But it all somehow works spectacularly -- i was engrossed in the book and read it very quickly. The writing is amazing -- very clear, concise sentences that work together to be vivid thought provoking. it was written 50 years ago about a time 125 years ago..but it is extremely current and relevant as it is about culture going through great changes.
This was the first book I have read by Doctorow, and now I want to read his others.