My PA book club read Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow. Considered a classic, this lyrical book is set in New Rochelle, NY before the First World War. For the rich, life is good. For an immigrant Jewish peddler, Tateh, it's challenging. And for Coalhouse Walker, Jr, a black ragtime pianist from Harlem - his story brings a shocking climax. (back blurb)
Doctorow weaves fictional characters with famous people of that period - Harry Houdini, J.P. Morgan, Evelyn Nesbit, Emma Goldman, Henry Ford. It's musical, well-paced, and the author orchestrates themes of American innocence, energy, and ambition. The writing seems old-timey and yet it works - it puts you, the reader, into the lives.
Ragtime is piano music with a syncopated melody.
Ragtime is a ragged music book of the ragged times. It's a novel about oppression, social change, and the search for stability in a rapidly evolving world (source - various reviews)
I'd say Ragtime is a very worthwhile read in this day and age as we come off a challenging July 4th and rather wild 2025 so far. Whew!
thecontemplativecat here. What a great book it must be!
ReplyDeleteHowdy - you have to get into the rhythm of it. Once you get the flow - it builds.
DeleteFor the rich life is good. For everyone else it is stressful.
ReplyDeleteI keep seeing rather concerning headlines coming out of Texas. Hope you and yours are located far from them.
Indeed. That plot never changes.
DeleteWe are 4 hours away from the Hill Country. Ray’s aunt is in the area but lives high on a hill. She’s okay.
Totally heartbreaking- water just gathers and moves SO fast.
Thanks for asking.
Hi Joanne - glad to have the update re Ray's Aunt - just terrible time for that area.
ReplyDeleteEL Doctorow - I should read some of his novels - I'm sure I will one day - cheers Hilary