Winter's Tale is an enchanting epic fantasy and magical realism tale. It commences in the late 19th century and spans the millennium, predominantly set in New York City, which is vividly brought to life in Mark Helprin's book. From the very first lines, I was captivated. The story of Peter Lake is both heart-wrenching and magical. His parents, having tuberculosis, are processed through Ellis Island and realize they will be returned to Ireland. His father creates a replica ship for their infant son and sends him ashore, hoping for a better life. Peter Lake is taken in by the Baymen and shelters until he is twelve. Years later, when fleeing for his life, a beautiful white horse, Athansor, appears. Their magical flight is truly captivating. Then there is Lake Coheeries with its winter magic and the beautiful love story of Peter Lake and Beverly Penn. The description of Athansor moving as if hearing music is truly magical. Throughout the book, the prose is beautiful and gripping, creating a sensation of fantasy and movement. I will definitely read this beautiful and wondrous tale again.

The tail of the white horse swished back and forth as he trotted briskly down empty avenues and boulevards. He moved like a dancer, which is not surprising: a horse is a beautiful animal, but it is perhaps most remarkable because it moves as if it always hears music.

With the two automobiles a long way behind, the white horse flew in great sinuous bounds, sailing through the air in a breathtaking flash of muscle. Peter Lake was used to Bay horses that took big leaps to move efficiently through shallow water. But this horse was just not a strong bounder, he was a champion in self-discovery. Before he had escaped for good and thrown in his lot with Peter Lake, he hadn't been able to run as he now was running, or at least he did not remember it. There was a fire in his knobby white knees and in his dovelike breast. With precision that might have put an arrow to shame, he went faster than any racehorse could have run. He could cover half a block in one stride, and his capacity steadily increased. At intersections packed with crooked lines of wagons, he jumped over whatever was in his way without knowing what lay beyond the obstructions. He had enough control and time to take such chances, for midway in flight he could spot empty runs upon which to land, and sail to them faultlessly to resume the gallop.

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.

Winter's Tale sat on my shelves for approximately two years before I finally decided to pick it up. It occupied far more shelf space than any ordinary book should, as if it were a tome dealing with weighty subjects like the wealth of nations or human anatomy. However, this book is enormous because it manages to squeeze the essence of New York City between its covers.

It is a profound work, deeply immersed in love and human emotions, yet it also has a whimsical side in many ways. Hurrah for these contradictory introductions to reviews!

Initially, Winter's Tale teases the reader with the introduction of philosophy, much like an adult attempting to convey the moral of a fable to a child who is only interested in the story itself. And I, too, was solely focused on the narrative. As the book progresses, which is a visceral and vividly descriptive journey, the actions of the characters demand your philosophical understanding in order to make sense. It entices you to think more deeply about what you are reading.

The characters also start off as simple, straightforward folk, similar to those you might encounter while strolling through fairy tales or myths and legends. But as time passes, they accumulate layers of complexity and depth. And you will grow to love these characters. I was astonished when Conrad (my friend, not the author of Heart of Darkness) said he cried at the death of a character in another book. Well, Winter's Tale brought me perilously close. Very close. Twice.

Come to think of it, in this story, everything gains complexity and depth as time passes. The characters, the plot, and even the city itself. But both the complexity and the depth are rich and thoroughly enjoyable.

I had no inkling that the book had a strong current of magical realism until people started being abducted by clouds. This added a novel and charming light to every supernatural occurrence, giving them a genuine sense of magic, much like being happily charmed and confounded by a skilled street magician.

Winter's Tale is an outstanding book. It's a real eye-opener, the kind of book that your mind eagerly dives into and only emerges from occasionally to ensure that the body hasn't wandered into mortal danger. It's not a quick read, but by the end, I was deliberately postponing finishing it to prolong the experience. I truly loved it. And, to top it off, there is a horsey.

Wow, this is just one big messy pile of "um, wha?!"

Magical realism, as you may remember, is super not my jam. Mostly because I am a firm believer in the notion that if you introduce magic or any other out-of-the-ordinary elements into an otherwise-normal setting, you're gonna need to explain and justify it.

But this novel goes so far beyond breaking that rule that it pushes over into utter nonsense.

So we have a steampunk-ish, old-timey, yet sort-of-quasi-futuristic NYC. There's a street rat orphan who's wise beyond his means. A magical (and in no way explained) flying horse. A street gang that's meant, I think, to be menacing but comes off 100% comical and which is, I think, supposed to be the main Big Bad, but disappears for most of the book only to POOF back into the action at the end, again, with no explanation. And a super-rich and super-brilliant (or maybe just totally bananas) young woman who's dying of TB.

Oh, and a cloud bank that's somehow deadly and surrounds NYC but also moves and people come and go from the city unharmed with - you guessed it - no explanation.

But wait - there's more! Helprin apparently gets bored of these main characters, so he abandons them for a new set, but their actions and circumstances aren't any less lacking in logic. Just...wooof.

And it doesn't read as if all these logistical problems are the point; instead it reads like a sloppily-written fever dream, or a toddler telling you about the dream they had last night and getting sidetracked many, MANY times along the way. Yeah, it's that agonizing and exhausting.

Life is truly far too brief to engage with this. I reached 32% and already had a sense that a two-star rating was impending.

Helprin's writing style is overly ornate, bordering on the kitschy and excessive to the point of being almost hypnotic. Every half-informative sentence is accompanied by a completely unnecessary one. For instance, "Rum, champagne, cakes, and roasts were everywhere. (Well, not everywhere: they weren't in the fireplace, or on top of the harp, or pasted on the ceiling.) The house was warm and bright. Even the cats danced." This plethora of redundant sentences serves no purpose, absolutely none, in advancing the plot. Instead, it merely obscures the story's Alchemist-grade quality. Additionally, I was extremely irked by the fact that Helprin meticulously constructs a beautiful, idyllic world with great intensity, yet fails to present any of the rules that govern it, aside from the supposed Inherent Nobility of the Human Spirit.

It seems as though the author is more concerned with creating a visually appealing and overly decorative narrative than with developing a coherent and engaging story. This lack of substance and clear structure makes it difficult for the reader to fully invest in the tale and leaves one with a sense of dissatisfaction.

Overall, while the writing may have its moments of beauty, it ultimately falls short in terms of plot development and world-building, resulting in a reading experience that is more frustrating than enjoyable.

This book was truly magical.

It has now firmly established itself as one of my all-time favorite books. The reason is simple: it did precisely what my very favorites manage to do.

It had the power to transport me to an entirely different world. I was so engrossed that when I finally stopped reading, it felt as if I was physically stepping out of the novel and back into the reality of my own life.

However, it's important to note that this book won't be to everyone's taste. It is extremely long, which might daunt some readers. Moreover, the prose is very flowery and descriptive, perhaps a bit too much for those who prefer a more straightforward style.

But for me, it was nothing short of perfect. It captured my imagination and held it captive from beginning to end.

I will cherish this book and the experience it gave me for a long time to come.

An old friend of mine, whom I hadn't heard from in numerous years, suddenly made contact with me. Through a series of emails, he shared that this particular book was his all-time favorite. Intrigued, I decided to seek it out. I managed to obtain a rather tattered copy from the used bookstore down the street, as I couldn't seem to locate any other edition. Once I began reading it, I found myself completely engrossed and hardly put it down. While I can't claim it as my absolute favorite book of all time, it had indeed been a long time since I'd come across a fantasy-fiction book that was written so skillfully. The story was captivating, the characters were well-developed, and the world-building was truly remarkable. It was a refreshing and enjoyable read that took me on an unforgettable adventure.

3.5 stars maybe. How do I even begin?

The love story in this book seemed rather forced. (-And you are? -Giselle. -Giselle! We shall be married in the morning!!) The development of their affair was extremely fast and then it ended just as quickly. As a result, we are left with 70% of the book without that central love story. The rest of the story is a bit on the weird side and at times it felt rather pointless. But of course, this is just my personal opinion. You might very well like it, or perhaps even love it!!

However, the descriptions in the book were truly beautiful!! You could vividly feel New York (his New York) come alive through the pages. The descriptions of winter were simply magical.

I can't wait to see the movie adaptation and witness this book with all its beauty being brought to life on the big screen. I'm really hoping that the romance will play a significant part in the movie. Colin and Jessica have crazy chemistry and I'm sure seeing them as Peter and Beverly will be absolute magic. ♥

Winter's Tale is truly a remarkable book that is perfect for those cold, winter weekends when you just want to curl up and lose yourself in a good story. The writing is simply beautiful, filled with poetic language that is both magical and enveloping. It has the power to transport you to another world, making you feel as if you are right there in the midst of the action.

The story itself is fragmented and surreal, a prime example of magical realism at its best. While it can be difficult to follow at times, with its mix of comical and heartbreaking moments, it is also incredibly engaging. The characters are vivid and lovable, each with their own unique personalities and stories. If you are a fan of 100 Years of Solitude, then you will surely love Winter's Tale. Just like that classic, it's hard to put into words exactly what this book is about, but it leaves a lasting impression.
I also love the quotes from this book. For example, when Beverly Penn talks about her belief in the stars and Peter Lake tells her that he believes her, Beverly's response is both profound and beautiful. She says, "That'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." Another favorite quote is from Mr. Marratta, who tells his son about the virtues on the golden salver. He says, "Little men spend their days in pursuit of such things [wealth, fame and worldly possessions]. I know from experience that at the moment of their deaths they see their lives shattered before them like glass. I've seen them die. They fall away as if they have been pushed, and the expressions on their faces are those of the most unbelieving surprise. Not so, the man who knows the virtues and lives by them." These quotes, along with many others in the book, add depth and meaning to the story, making it even more enjoyable to read.

The beginning of the first chapter in book III, "The Sun and The Ghost," is also very powerful. It starts with the statement, "Nothing is random, nor will anything ever be." This sets the tone for the rest of the chapter and emphasizes the idea that everything in life has a purpose and a meaning. The description of the electrons as "tame and obsequious little creatures" that "rush around at the speed of light, going precisely where they are supposed to go" is both fascinating and thought-provoking. It makes you wonder about the nature of the universe and our place in it.

Finally, the passage on page 471 about madness and sainthood is truly inspiring. It says, "To be mad is to feel with excruciating intensity the sadness and joy of a time which has not arrived or has already been. And to protect their delicate vision of that other time, madmen will jusify their condition with touching loyalty, and surround it with a thousand distractive schemes." This passage makes you think about the sacrifices that some people make in order to pursue their dreams and beliefs, and how they are often misunderstood by others. It also shows that there is a fine line between madness and sainthood, and that sometimes those who are considered crazy are actually the ones who are the most enlightened.

Overall, Winter's Tale is a book that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves a good story and beautiful writing. It is a book that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it, and one that you will want to read again and again.

I managed to reach page 53 of the 600+-page pocket paperback.

The premise seemed quite alluring. There was a magical white horse that suddenly swooped in to save Peter Lake from a violent gang.

I also found the backstory about NYC immigration quite interesting. However, I didn't like the overly adjective-heavy and wordy writing style.

The anachronistic exclamations like “Crap!” and “Outta my way, you crazy midget” seemed out of place, especially since the story is presumably set between the 1900s and 1920s.

The meandering plot also made it a bit difficult to follow.

Moreover, it was rather disturbing to read about Peter's sex life when he was only 12.

This book came from a Little Free Library at the Philadelphia airport and later returned to a LFL at the Bar Convent in York.

Overall, while there were some aspects that I liked, there were also several elements that detracted from my enjoyment of the story.

768 pages of unrestrained creativity!

Part 1 is truly lovely. It has a certain charm that grabs the reader's attention.

However, when it comes to Part 2, a significant portion of it could be removed without sacrificing much.

I do appreciate the political aspects, the in-depth explanation of justice, and the vivid imagery.

But unfortunately, the story continuously gets derailed by an influx of additional characters, an overabundance of endless detail and descriptions, and just too many words.

It seems as if this is a romance that has become lost within a dense jungle of words.

The author's attempt to create a rich and complex world may have gone a bit too far, causing the narrative to lose its focus and momentum.

Perhaps with some pruning and streamlining, the essence of this story could shine through more brightly and engage the reader on a deeper level.

As it stands now, it feels a bit overwhelming and in need of some refinement.

Nevertheless, there are still some redeeming qualities that give hope for a more polished and engaging final product.

At last, we arrive at the book that managed to shatter my reading slump. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I had to put it aside when I was only 25% through. However, I was finally able to pick it up again and become completely immersed in its enchanting universe.

What can one possibly say about a book that has amassed a staggering 3622 reviews on Goodreads and 1069 on Amazon? I suppose I can only express what it was that I adored about it.

1.) This book is long, incredibly long, yet I never once wished for it to end. If heaven or eternal life could be as captivating as this, filled with such a diverse cast of characters, profound ideas, and a sense of wonder, I would eagerly sign up. I can truthfully say that I was never bored. Even the seemingly endless descriptions of the weather and various locations held my attention firmly.

2.) The Big Idea: In reality, it is more of a profound question or a grand quest. (How closely related those two words are, both derived from the Latin word "quaerere" which means to seek, ask, or inquire.) In this novel, the question posed is "Is the Universe just?"

Ever since I can recall being able to think rationally, I have been asking myself and others this very question. Whenever I have protested against what I have perceived as unjust, I have mostly been told that life simply isn't fair. When I have railed against injustice, I have been instructed that justice is an ideal, but one that is nearly impossible to achieve.

The central idea here is that, yes, the Universe is just, but one must look at the bigger picture and take the long view. In a seemingly chaotic manner, the universe, both the living and the non-living, gravitates towards balance and justice. At this stage of my life, I don't really concern myself anymore with whether such a concept is true or not. It is what I believe, and the one freedom that can never be snatched away is the freedom to hold one's own beliefs. To have this belief beautifully narrated within the context of such a great story was truly a wonder for me.

3.) The interactions between the characters, across generations and historical periods, and the intricate web that the author weaves. While I have a penchant for many different types of stories, it is the long and intricate ones that bring me the greatest pleasure.

Hopefully, the next time I find myself in a reading slump, and that is almost certain to occur, I will remember the remedy: Head to the shelf of Books I Really Want To Read, pick one up, and lose myself in its pages.

I thought it was a beautiful book in many ways.

I love the movie, and the book also has its own charm.

The book had me confused in so many ways, but that is not hard to do in some cases. There didn't seem to be a lot about Peter Lake and Beverly, although maybe that was just my perception. I like how other people were woven into their lives throughout time, which added more depth and complexity to the story.

Of course, there is no doubt how much I loved Anthansor the horse. I loved him the most. He was such a wonderful and loyal character.

The part that really got me and had me laughing out loud was when Hardesty and Jesse had their little time traveling together. The stuff Jesse got them into and Hardesty for being a fool to go along with it! This was definitely the favorite part of the book for me.

I just wish I understood a lot of it better. There were some parts that were a bit difficult to follow, but overall, I still enjoyed the book.