One of my all-time favorite songs is "Solsbury Hill" by Peter Gabriel.

From the very beginning, with the warm A and E chords and the heartbeat drum of the opening motif, it immediately grabs my attention. As the song progresses, the soaring bridge and the bass that feels as if it's part of your bloodstream make me want to completely immerse myself in it. It fills me with a sense of wonder and joy, as well as an aching longing, a hunger, a sadness, and a bliss that we don't have a specific word for in English. However, in Portuguese, it's called "saudade", and in Welsh, it's "hiraeth". I have this intense desire to write an entire book about this complex emotion.

But unfortunately, I'm thirty years too late. Mark Helprin beat me to it in 1983 when he published "Winter's Tale". This book is a whopping 750 pages filled with "saudade" and "hiraeth".

If you want to experience the feeling of soaring on the crest of a sentence that tumbles into the wave of a paragraph and then builds into the tsunami of a story, then "Winter's Tale" is a must-read for you. However, if you're looking for a linear plot neatly handed to you on a shiny, clean platter with a folded linen napkin to dab away any splatters, then this book is not for you.

I first read this book thirty years ago as a high school freshman. Although the story didn't stay with me, Helprin's images and language did. I've carried his wordsmith magic within me for decades, always afraid that perhaps I remembered it to be greater than it actually was, that my awe was simply that of an impressionable, lonely kid.

But I needn't have worried. Mark Helprin, your book still has the power to make my heart go "Boom Boom Boom".

As the lyrics of "Solsbury Hill" go:

Climbing up on Solsbury Hill
I could see the city light
Wind was blowing, time stood still
Eagle flew out of the night
He was something to observe
Came in close, I heard a voice
Standing, stretching every nerve
I had to listen had no choice
I did not believe the information
I just had to trust imagination
My heart going boom, boom, boom
Son, he said, grab your things I've come to take you home

I have delved into over 100 pages of this book, and now I am seriously re-thinking whether I have the inclination to see it through to the end.

There is no denying that the descriptions within the book are beautifully crafted, and the fantastical elements add an air of mystery and allure. However, it also veers into the realm of self-indulgent writing to an extreme degree.

The author appears to be completely divorced from his reader, lost in his own idiosyncratic world. I can't help but envision him in an early 20th-century opium den, smoking opium and penning down whatever random thoughts flit through his mind.

The narrative thread seems to be constantly sewn into a fabric that warps and twists according to the capricious whim of its creator. There have been moments so outrageously ludicrous that I couldn't help but burst out laughing.

I failed to find the relationship between the two main characters romantic. Instead, they seemed to border on being pathologically needy on both sides.

I had initially thought that this book held great promise, but alas, it appears not to be the case (at least for me). I only awarded it two stars because I believe that if it were distilled down to its essential elements, the story could potentially be interesting. But who has the time and patience to deconstruct what the author is attempting to convey?

Surprisingly, I find myself thinking that rather than persevering with this book, my time would be better invested in catching up on my housework!

There was a white horse. On a quiet winter morning, the snow gently covered the streets, not too deep. The sky was swept with vibrant stars, except in the east where dawn was beginning in a light blue flood. Every once in a while, a book comes along that completely changes your life. As readers, we seem to live for such moments. I know I do. That perfect moment of clarity when a book reaches in and seizes your heart and soul and becomes a part of you. And from that point on, you carry it within you, wherever you go for the rest of your days. Winter's Tale is definitely one such book for me.

If you were to ask me about my thoughts on spirituality and eternity, I would tell you to read Cloud Atlas. If you were to ask me how I felt about truth, love, beauty, and justice, I would tell you to read Winter's Tale. It is, without a doubt, one of the most amazing books I have ever read in my entire life.

Let me tell you about it. This book may not be for everyone. As much as I adore it, I can be objective enough to know that some people may get a bit frustrated with the pacing, as it is a bit slow. There are numerous characters with vastly different storylines that don't come together until near the end of the book, and it can be a little frustrating to try and piece them together and remember everything that is going on.

But. In spite of all that, this book is pure magic. The author describes everything in lavish detail, making you feel as if you are right there in the pages with the characters. The story is so damn beautiful, so heartbreaking, and so emotional. Everything about it tugs at your heartstrings. The descriptions of winter, all the snow, ice, and wind, were breathtakingly gorgeous, sometimes making me want to cry. You can't rush through this book. You have to devour it slowly and let the magic weave its way into your mind.

This is a story about beauty, as seen in the lines: "There are animals in the stars, with pelts of light and deep endless eyes. Astronomers think that the constellations were imagined. They were not imagined at all. There are animals, far distant, that move and thrash smoothly, and yet are entirely still. They aren't made up of the few stars in the constellations that represent them - they're too vast - but these point in the directions in which they lie." and "On infinite meadows in the black, creatures made of misty light tossed their manes in motionless eternal swings that passed through the stars like wind sweeping through wildflowers."

It is a story about love, as shown in the passages: "It's only love. You don't have to believe me. It's all right if you don't. The beauty of the truth is that it need not be proclaimed or believed. It skips from soul to soul, changing form each time it touches, but it is what it is. I have seen it, and someday you will too. Then she turned to him and stretched out her arms. And he went to her as if he had been born for it. It was as if they had been kept from one another for a thousand years and would not come together for yet another thousand. But now, chest against chest, arm cradled in arm, hallucinatory and light, they felt as if they were whirling in a cloud." and "How just it would be if for our final reward we were to be made the masters of time, and if those we love could come alive again not just in memory, but in truth." and "Love passes from soul to soul. It does last forever."

And it is a story about justice and truth, as illustrated by: "In this infinite universe, whole worlds have been created for the instruction and elevation of a few simple souls." and "The suffering of the innocent would be accounted for, if, in ages to come or ages that had been, the reasons for everything were revealed and balances were evened. It would explain destiny, and coincidence, and his image of the city as if he had been looking from high above at a living creature with a pelt of dusky light. It would explain that every action in the world had eventual consequences and would never be forgotten, as if it were entered in a magnificent ledger of unimaginable complexity. He thought it might explain freedom, memory, transfiguration, and justice - though he did not know how." and "We learn that justice may not always follow a just act, that justice can sleep for years and awaken when it is least expected, that a miracle is nothing more than dormant justice from another time arriving to compensate those it has cruelly abandoned. Whoever knows this is willing to suffer, for he knows that nothing is in vain." and "Miracles come to those who risk defeat in seeking them. They come to those who have exhausted themselves completely in a struggle to accomplish the impossible."

Do not read this book if you can't see the beauty in winter. Do not read this book if you can't see the magic and love in the world around you. Do not read this book if your heart is hardened and you do not believe that it can be thawed or softened. But if you can do all these things and feel with every inch of your heart and soul, then this book is undoubtedly for you.

I haven't been able to read for more than a week.

So, when I came back and attempted to immerse myself in the book, it simply wasn't working.

I'm certain that there is a possibility that this is good as the setup had piqued my curiosity.

However, I'm not going to force it.

Maybe I need some time to adjust and get back into the rhythm of reading.

It could be that my mind is still preoccupied with other things from the past week.

Or perhaps I need to find a more suitable environment to truly engage with the book.

Whatever the reason, I'm going to be patient and not push myself too hard.

I believe that when the time is right, I'll be able to fully enjoy the book and get lost in its pages once again.

For now, I'll just take it one step at a time and see where this reading journey takes me.

My dad gave me a copy of this book for Christmas one year.

It sat on my shelf for a while until one day I had nothing to read. Since then, I've made it from the front cover to the back cover at least four times, but I still haven't finished reading it.

I tell anyone who will listen that they should read this book, even if it's just this one, once.

Helprin's style of writing is like the ocean. It's deep and dark, quietly ebbing and flowing, eroding the edges of continents. At the same time, it's also confident and strong, churning into a raging storm that drags all and sundry down to the depths.

He has the gift of a born storyteller, able to lash together random letters and words into the most magical tale imagined.

I haven't read another book quite like it. In fact, I'm afraid to read any of his other works, fearing that I might not like them as much and slightly marring my opinion of him as a writer. But that's just silly, and I plan to read his other works as well... just as soon as I finish reading "Winter's Tale" again.

I am completely left speechless by this remarkable book.

It is an intricate masterpiece that manages to blend complexity with the purest and simplest of emotions at its very core.

The story weaves a web of characters and events that draw the reader in and keep them engaged from start to finish.

For serious readers who are looking for a book that will make them think deeply, be amazed by the twists and turns, and sigh with satisfaction at the end, this is the perfect choice.

It challenges our preconceptions and forces us to look at the world from different perspectives.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is a true gem that will stay with you long after you have turned the final page.

I saw this movie in December.

I thought it was beautiful and magical. However, I didn't quite like Colin Farrell as Peter Lake. So I thought to myself, "Hey! This is probably a book and I bet that it's more magical."

Well, I was right about it being a book. But to my disappointment, the book was also lacking in certain aspects.

Some parts of the book were truly awesome and incredibly beautiful. The descriptions were so vivid that they painted a wonderful picture in my mind. But then, there were other parts that were just boring as hell. For example, there was a whole chapter dedicated to describing the interior of an office. Seriously?

I also didn't understand the need for all the characters. There were so many new ones introduced that it was really hard to keep track of them all. Some of the characters were interesting and definitely added to the story, but others seemed completely unnecessary and should never have made it onto the pages.

I would say that this book is like a love letter to New York. If you've ever been there, you might be able to appreciate it more. I especially loved the mythical Lake of the Coheeries. The name itself just sounds so magical and mysterious.

Overall, the best parts of the book deserve 5 stars, but the worst parts are definitely 0. So, taking everything into account, I would give this book a 2 for being just okay.

If you have ever fallen head over heels in love with the vibrant city of New York, or if you yearn with all your heart to experience that same love affair with the Big Apple, or perhaps if you simply have a penchant for falling in love in general, then you are bound to adore this book.

There are very few books in this world that I have the desire to read not just once, but twice. However, this particular book sits right at the very top of that exclusive list.

It has a charm and allure that draws you in from the very first page and keeps you hooked until the very end. The author's vivid descriptions and engaging storytelling make you feel as if you are actually walking the streets of New York, experiencing all the magic and wonder that the city has to offer.

Whether you are a die-hard New Yorker or someone who has never set foot in the city before, this book is sure to capture your heart and leave you with a lasting impression. So, if you are looking for a book that will transport you to another world and make you fall in love all over again, then look no further than this one.

Yes, perhaps there are questions to which we must respond with our hearts.

In life, we often encounter various situations that require us to make decisions. Sometimes, these decisions are not straightforward, and we may find ourselves in a dilemma. It is in these moments that we need to listen to our hearts and trust our instincts.

Our hearts have a way of guiding us towards the right path, even when our minds are clouded with doubt. By following our hearts, we are more likely to make choices that are true to ourselves and that will bring us happiness and fulfillment.

However, listening to our hearts is not always easy. It requires courage and the willingness to take risks. We may be afraid of making mistakes or of facing the consequences of our actions. But if we let fear hold us back, we will never be able to fully experience life and reach our true potential.

So, the next time you are faced with a difficult question, don't be afraid to listen to your heart. Trust that it will lead you in the right direction, and have the courage to follow where it takes you.

This is an absolutely brilliant novel that truly captivated me.

I was deeply impressed by the language used. The author's descriptions of winter were exceptionally effective, especially as I happened to be reading it during the winter season. It was so easy to feel the cold that was vividly described.

The element of humour added a wonderful touch, and the originality of the characters was truly remarkable. I particularly relished the relationship between Peter Lake and Athansor, which I hadn't anticipated at all.

I was a little disheartened that the relationship between Peter and Beverly ended so abruptly, and I wasn't expecting what came after. The overall concept was quite ambitious, and I must admit that I'm still a bit confused by a lot of what took place. However, that is precisely one of the greatest aspects of this novel - it makes you contemplate the impossible.

There were indeed some long-winded paragraphs that were a bit excessive, and I do wish there had been more focus on Peter Lake and less on everyone else. But all in all, I really, really enjoyed this novel. It is truly a classic for the modern era!

Winter's Tale (full review / timeline) is an enchanting story that unfolds during New York's Belle Epoque, just after the turn of the 20th century.

It weaves a captivating narrative of love, larceny, and flying horses, introducing us to a world filled with criminal gangs, indigenous marsh-dwelling tribes, rainbow bridges, and immortal architects.

The story is a beautiful tapestry of love, beauty, and justice, conveyed through 748 pages of meticulously-wrought, poetic language.

No matter how good the forthcoming film version may be, it will inevitably be a poor substitute for the richness and depth of the written word.

Do yourself a favor and read Winter's Tale before you see the movie. Mark Helprin is truly one of my favorite authors, and this book, along with A Soldier of the Great War, are two of my all-time favorite books.

They have the power to transport you to another time and place, and leave you with a sense of wonder and inspiration.

A Love It or Hate It Book: I Kinda Liked It

Sometimes, I find that reading other reviews of a book is far more enjoyable than penning one myself. This is especially true when it comes to a book that evokes such intense and polarizing reactions. I've never witnessed a book that garners so many 1-star and 4-5 star reviews, with hardly anything in between. In fact, quite a number of 1-star reviews repeatedly contain words like "boring", "gave up", "didn't care", "silly", and "plotless". Well, I wholeheartedly agree with those terms when it comes to another massive modern fable novel I recently finished, John Crowley's Little, Big. However, this particular book is completely different.

It's a magical-realist American tall-tale fable of a New York that never existed but truly should have. It's a big, bold, flowery, exaggerated, unapologetically whimsical, lyrical, meandering, over-the-top, and often confusing, yet deeply rich and colorful tale. It harks back to an ideal era of America with confident and brash men and women, and a city pulsating with unique and chaotic energy. It couldn't be more different from another book about a bygone NY that I read not long ago, Helen Wecker's The Golem and the Djinn. Nevertheless, it did offer some captivating passages, scenes, characters, and ideas. So, I understand why some people found it incredibly annoying or dull. I might have felt the same way 30 years ago when I first got that hefty blue paperback with the ghostly white horse on the cover.

But now, I listen to audiobooks, which is far more liberating than being stuck to the printed page. And this book truly deserves to be heard, considering all the elaborate and clever wordplay, imagery, and dialogue. Yes, I wasn't always certain of the plot or where it was headed, but to be honest, I wasn't overly bothered by that because it was just so outrageously entertaining most of the time. I'm glad I didn't read it as a teenager - I simply wouldn't have appreciated Mark Helprin's thoughts on life, society, and so on. All in all, it was a very memorable listening experience.