Ragtime is a novel of low theory. I enjoyed its narrative art and the ambiguous and variable nature of the story's perspective. However, I think that sometimes focusing on the margins was more colorful than the essence of the story. And while the element of attraction was added to the story very late.

The author's writing style in Ragtime is quite unique. The use of vivid descriptions and the exploration of different perspectives add depth to the story. The characters are well-developed, and their actions and decisions drive the plot forward. However, at times, the story seems to get lost in the details, and the main theme becomes somewhat obscured.

Overall, Ragtime is an interesting read, but it requires some effort on the part of the reader to fully appreciate its nuances. The ambiguous ending also leaves room for interpretation, which can be both a strength and a weakness. Despite its flaws, the novel offers a thought-provoking look at a particular period in American history and the social and cultural issues that were prevalent at that time.

Edgar Laurence Doctorow [1931-2015] published this original and fascinating novel in 1975.

The plot, which has no dull moments, is intense and brilliant, leading us to the early years of the last century in America, a country still seeking a national identity, world primacy, and a democracy that is difficult to implement.

It is in this context that the protagonists of this story take their steps and live their lives: a prosperous white family in search of a lasting balance, a Lithuanian immigrant with a young daughter in search of a satisfying integration, a young African-American pianist seeking love and justice, and many real people whose lives and actions intersect and interact with those created by the author.

This novel "grabbed" me from the very first pages and didn't let go until the last line, thanks to a sparkling prose that knows no pauses and a storytelling style that is as original as it is effervescent, even on the most dramatic pages.

Bought in 1998, if I had read it then, today it would be the memory of an old reading. Read now, it leaves me with wonderful sensations and the desire to buy and read another of his novels, for example "Billy Bathgate", pretending to forget that "The March" is looking at me from my bookshelf (but that's a war book!).

Doctorow writes as if he knows how to write like Cather.

“Ragtime” is a brilliant fresco of American life from the beginning of the 20th century to World War I. In it, along with fictional heroes, figures like Harry Houdini, Henry Ford, Emma Goldman, Freud, Woodrow Wilson, and many others have their place. And it's not just the famous people but also the atmospheres they carry, from Robert Peary's polar expedition, through the capitalist hustle and bustle of New York, to the issues of migration and racism – it's amazing what Doctorow managed to interweave and give it an appealing, dynamic form. To be clear, there is no single narrative core here, but each chapter presents a new dominant historical scene, which, through the montage of images, will turn into something completely different. So one of the overwhelming feelings here is the hustle and bustle, the chaos and excitement of an exciting period, which, through the literary form, manages to show how much the imagination of history can be more authentic than documentary.

The language is well-paced, sounds fine, and flows beautifully. Doctorow's editor once said that he is one of the few writers whose first versions don't have to be changed. However, a masterful art does not always guarantee the best result, but it's wonderful to notice what someone knew how to connect skillfully.

This book also has its own soundtrack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMAtL...

Total time travel.

One of the best books that I have read is "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee.

This novel tells the story of a young girl named Scout Finch growing up in a small southern town during the 1930s.

The book explores themes of racism, prejudice, and injustice through the eyes of Scout, as she witnesses her father, Atticus Finch, defend a black man accused of a crime he did not commit.

The characters in the book are well-developed and complex, and the writing is both beautiful and poignant.

"To Kill a Mockingbird" is not only a great work of literature, but also a powerful social commentary that still holds relevance today.

It has taught me the importance of empathy, understanding, and standing up for what is right, even in the face of adversity.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and engaging read.

Although the story itself is not characterless at all, the further I read, the more eager I became to obtain information about the fate and characters of the characters.

So much so that when I reached the last page, I would review with myself whether I now know what has happened to all the characters and what their current situation is or not?

When I picked up this novel, I knew I was dealing with a historical novel. Although this type of novel doesn't have much appeal for me, my eagerness made me have to search for some of the historical events in the story on Google, and this was really an enjoyable thing above all else.

Although the novel is essentially critical of the class society but there is no judgment in it. The author has tried to give us some information by narrating the events and allow the reader to think or judge about the political, social and moral issues of these stories.

In the story, two characters were very important to me. Kohlhaas and the younger brother (who was the narrator of the uncle's story in a way). I admit that the actions of these two characters were both superlative and made me think a lot with myself about why they did or did not do such a thing. And probably for a long time I will think about these two characters and build or complete my own story about them in my mind.

This book was very human in my opinion. The people and events in it were completely real and could even be touched. Its bitters and sweets were also human. It gave me the feeling that the author didn't seem to have made much effort to create the work, but just narrated the things he had observed, and this was very sweet so that you don't get addicted or excited about something when reading.

I don't give this book five stars because it's not among the novels that I would go for in general, but this doesn't reduce any of the pleasure I got from it, and maybe it's one of the best books that can still be found in the Iranian market and you can enjoy reading it and be led to thinking.

Attractive, tough, resistant, justice-seeking, rebellious, romantic, cool-headed, and witty, Ida is a remarkable individual.

She has an alluring charm that draws people to her. Her toughness allows her to face challenges head-on without flinching.

Ida is highly resistant to difficulties and setbacks, always finding a way to persevere.

She is a passionate seeker of justice, always ready to stand up for what is right.

Her rebellious nature makes her unafraid to question the status quo and fight for change.

Ida is also a romantic at heart, believing in the power of love and relationships.

Despite her strong emotions, she remains cool-headed in difficult situations, able to make rational decisions.

And her witty sense of humor always brings a smile to people's faces, making her a joy to be around.

Ida is truly a one-of-a-kind person with a unique combination of qualities that make her stand out from the crowd.

There was a book that if it wasn't recommended by the group, perhaps I wouldn't have read it, but how good it was that I did.
I felt a bit of similarity to "One Hundred Years of Solitude", perhaps because I had just read it recently.
I took pleasure in coming across words that are not much used in today's literature.
I think this is why the translation is very much in the spotlight.
Of course, I don't have any expertise and I just enjoyed it.

This book presented a unique world that drew me in from the very beginning. The language was rich and full of nuances, making it a delight to explore. Although some of the words were unfamiliar, they added to the charm and authenticity of the story.
The translation played a crucial role in bringing this work to life for me. It allowed me to understand and appreciate the author's intentions without getting lost in the complexity of the original language.
Overall, reading this book was a wonderful experience that I will cherish. It reminded me of the power of literature to transport us to different times and places, and to introduce us to new ideas and perspectives.

The book "Ragtime" is written by Doctorow. The author skillfully combines imagination and reality, depicting the American spirit based on these two principles. It is both imaginative and highly acceptable and believable. Doctorow brings real personalities such as Harry Houdini, Henry Ford, or the famous banker Morgan into the story, integrating their real existence with fictional stories, thus advancing the story of the book.

Doctorow's America is a place where the ideas of capitalism, anarchism, and socialism collide and meet. Of course, it also has more serious problems such as racism and class differences. The author presents representatives of each group in the book and develops several parallel stories. Sometimes the characters in the stories move away from each other, and sometimes they get closer.

America in the book is mainly a land of differences and conflicts. We can see these in the encounters between Americans and immigrants, blacks and whites, the poor and the capitalists. In fact, the hero of the story arises from the heart of these conflicts. Because he is tired and hopeless of the law that he does not have mercy on, he becomes the executor of the law himself. But it is also a land of dreams to a certain extent. A Jewish socialist has been freed from poverty by the blessing of this opportunity and has achieved his American dream.

The plot of the story is like ragtime music, fast and lively. Events happen one after another, not giving the reader much room to think. But the author skillfully arranges the scattered stories and the rapid events in the book, making it coherent. The result is a readable and unique book, a book where personalities like Morgan become secondary characters and ordinary citizens are the heroes.

Doctorow possesses this truly magical talent. He is able to skillfully weave together multiple fictional narratives of characters. Some of these characters are real figures from history, while others are completely fabricated for the sake of his craft. All of these are set within the diorama of time and place in American history. This unique approach makes the reader experience the world in a visceral Technicolor wonder.

The result is a page-turning enjoyment of great story telling. It is a winning accomplishment when a reader simply can't put the book down and devours it in a day. Doctorow's ability to create such a captivating and immersive world is truly remarkable. It allows the reader to not only be entertained but also to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of American history through the eyes of his diverse cast of characters.

Whether it's the historical accuracy or the engaging fictional elements, Doctorow's work has something for everyone. His books are a must-read for anyone who loves a good story and wants to explore the rich tapestry of American history.

A very interesting and highly readable story in the label of American history in the early 20th century.

The doctor has artistically blended reality and imagination.

On 15th Farvardin, 1395.

This story takes us back to a time when America was going through significant changes. The details and events described by the doctor make it come alive. We can envision the scenes and characters as if they were right in front of us.

The combination of reality and imagination adds an extra layer of depth and intrigue to the story. It makes us question what is real and what is fictional.

Overall, this is a captivating piece that offers a unique perspective on American history during that era.

E.L. Doctorow's most renowned work is Ragtime, a sprawling and picaresque novel set in turn-of-the-century New York.

The kaleidoscopic nature of the story follows numerous characters, both historical and fictional, with a wealthy New Rochelle family serving as the anchor.

One storyline focuses on Evelyn Nesbit, a former chorus girl whose scandalous affairs lead to the murder of one rich lover (Stanford White) by another (Harry K. Thaw). Her dalliance with radical politics and romance with Younger Brother of the New Rochelle family add to the complexity.

She also intersects with Tateh, a struggling Jewish artist whose ambition and talent propel him out of the ghetto and into a new identity as an animator and filmmaker.

Nesbit's situation contrasts with the family's Mother, whose quiet independence stands in counterpoint to her tawdry celebrity.

The most powerful strand follows Coalhouse Walker Jr., an upwardly mobile black musician constantly frustrated by racism and misunderstandings until he is driven, in league with a radicalized Younger Brother, to a rash act of terrorism.

Doctorow excels with these plot lines, offering rich (albeit somewhat broad) characterizations and evocative depictions of media frenzy, class barriers, labor unrest, and racial misunderstandings, enhanced by keen insight, black comedy, and historical color.

However, the historical cameos sometimes feel superfluous, and Doctorow's occasional lapses into vulgarity mar some of his rhetorical points.

Nevertheless, the overall work is impressive, presenting a rich and textured view of early 20th-century America that few historical novels can achieve. It has been adapted into a mediocre film and an acclaimed stage musical.

This, my friends, is how you do historical fiction.

I absolutely adored so many aspects of this novel. There was the omniscient narrator, who provided a comprehensive view of the story and its characters. The paraphrased dialogue added a touch of authenticity, making it feel as if we were truly eavesdropping on conversations from the past. The minute details were astonishing, painting a vivid picture of the historical setting. And the epic sweep of the narrative was truly captivating, taking us on a journey through time and across different locations.

However, there was one aspect that I couldn't quite overlook. The plot seemed a bit contrived at times, as if the author was determined to fit in as many historical figures as possible, regardless of whether it felt natural or not. This led to some moments where I struggled to believe that the characters would act in the way the author had them do, even when the fiction was closely based on fact.

Overall, though, this was a remarkable work of historical fiction that had me hooked from beginning to end.