Article on Doctorow's, "The March."

[blue_zouave]

Yeah, William, Newt wrote a couple of alternate history novels, can you guess who won the war in those? :P

I find Civil War fiction to be uneven at best... trying to think of any that I would recommend. If I think of some, I'll post it.

Zou

[samgrant]

Try Lincoln by Gore Vidal.

[JohnW in E.TN]

Originally Posted by ole

Yes, JohnW, fiction fix. Fiction is a vacation -- no checking footnotes, no examining each phrase or word for bias, no reading and re-reading each paragraph to fully grasp its meaning -- just reading for the sound of the words and the story.

Starting "Widow of the South" tonight. I'll see if Hicks measures up to the publicity. Then on to the latest Turow, (two days each) then, fully refreshed, back to non-fiction.

Ole

Ole,

I finished "Widow of the South" last week. Beautiful writing. As far as the story? I'll be interested in hearing what you think of it.


Regards,

John W.

[ole]

JohnW.

Doctorow made a few errors that I caught, but they had nothing to do with the story. Not a major work to my taste, but highly readable and enjoyable. (The only author who can do no wrong in my opinion is Joseph Waumbaugh.)

So far, "Widow" has been interesting. Caught a few errors I didn't think Hicks would make (e.g., Forrest at Shiloh, Forrest with the Army of the Tennessee, men busy piling up hundreds of shells getting ready for action), but it is fiction and nit-picking interferes with the expected enjoyment. Should finish tomorrow. This is Sunday, the first lady is home, and she expects a certain amount of work out of me.

Ole

[blue_zouave]

I'll have to pick up "The Widow of the South" when I'm finished with "The March."

As for nit-picking, I'm as likely to pick at plot and characterization as at factual errors. Doctorow's novel is typically picaresque, lots of characters and little plot lines as a part of the greater one. No chance to get close to any of the characters.

Zou

[JohnW in E.TN]

I have to reluctantly admit, the more I read of "The March," the more Sherman becomes fascinating.


John W.

[samgrant]

JohnW,

For you to admit that, I'm severely tempted to start on that novel, tho I'm currently short into two 800 pg. historicals!

[JohnW in E.TN]

Originally Posted by samgrant

JohnW,

For you to admit that, I'm severely tempted to start on that novel, tho I'm currently short into two 800 pg. historicals!

Sam,

I have the same affliction; several books going at once! No better malady to have, is there?

Regards,

John W.

[JohnW in E.TN]

I just finished "The March." It was a pretty good read, though a bit more fast-paced than I would have liked. I don't think Doctorow was as in-depth with the characters as he should have been, especially Sherman.

I've just picked up, "A History of the American People" by Paul Johnson, a British author. I like this guy already. In the Forward, he states that he doesn't bow to political correctness and refuses the P.C. practice of hyphenated Americans. He says we're all just AMERICANS. My man! This is a fairly big read, so it may take me a while. Having a rambunctious little 8 month old in the house can be a bit distracting!

Regards,

John W.

[blue_zouave]

I finished "The March" last weekend and I agree that the characterization was shallow. I got a kick out of the John Jakes-ian presence of one of his characters at Lincoln's deathbed. Doctorow's language is pretty, but the book didn't have as much substance as "Ragtime" or "Worlds Fair."

Time to head to the library and find "The Widow of the South!"

Zou