THE BOOK FAIR
READ AND FULFILL YOUR LIFE
E.L. Doctorow
World's
Fair
Author: E.L. Doctorow
Published: 1985
Genre: Historical Fiction
Cover: Paperback
Pages: 304
Review:
The “World’s Fair,” brings 1930’s New York City to life from the prospective of nine-year old, Edgar Altschuler. Edgar presents his life through a series of memories, revelations of early childhood, and impressions of his family members; Rose and Dave, his parents, Donald, his brother and his grandmother, of whom he wrote, scared him at times.
One poignant section of this book reveals Edgar’s glimpse into adulthood when he realizes with such sadness, anger and disappointment what really became of his beloved dog Pinky.
Towards the latter part of the book, Edgar goes into specifics of the Fair, detailing his experiences.
Colorful with low drama, this book focuses on the intricacies of family life, the place of women, social mores and taboos, with the bonus of a visit to the World’s Fair.
THE
ARCH
M
Author: E.L. Doctorow
Published: 1985
Genre: Historical Fiction
Cover: Paperback
Pages: 304
Review:
Doctorow’s historical novel centers on General Sherman’s campaign of the scorched earth policy during the U.S. Civil War years 1864 and 1865. Sherman’s army freely loots, pillages, burns towns, cities, plantations, and destroys factories and infrastructure across the terrain of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Doctorow’s focus is the chaos on all sides of the war that Sherman created, allowed and supported.
Southern civilians at best are robbed and burned out of their homes. Black freed slaves fare no better as they too are burned out, left homeless and starving, so trail the Union Army.
After days on the march Clarke, a Bostonian commanding a Tennessee regiment, feels the weight and responsibility of the freed slaves following his regiment. He tells Pearl, a freed slave, they must go back. She asks him what they would go back to, as his men burned the house and stole the food.
Wrede, a German immigrant and surgeon, dislikes Sherman describing his army as “an all consuming organism with a small brain.” Southern soldiers, turned starving deserters, join the Union Army for food.
Sherman and Colonel Teack watch as their soldiers loot, vandalize, burn and destroy Colombia, SC. Sherman hesitates to control his men, for in the event he could not, he would lose all control and respect. Teack doesn’t mind the destruction, as he feels it completely deserved.
Although the novel portrays the grim and violent reality of war, Doctorow ends the book on a notes of optimism.