“Writing is like driving a car at night. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.” This profound statement by E.L. Doctorow in his novel Ragtime sets the tone for the exploration of his work.
My first book of 2014, which wasn't even on my to-read list, turned out to be a remarkable one. It is none other than the killer historical novel of the Ragtime era. This novel is like the big uncle to the late 90s works of Philip Roth, Don DeLillo, Gore Vidal, and Norman Mailer. Their novels seem to be influenced by the wind that blew out of Doctorow's syncopated, tight, and urgent historical novel.
Doctorow masterfully captures the essence of New York's energy, contradiction, growth, insecurity, and isolation during the transformation of America between the late 1800s and early 1900s. He vividly portrays the race, immigrant, monied, and cultural changes that gripped the city as cars started to roll down the streets and planes and Houdini began to float in the air.
Interestingly, Doctorow actually edited Norman Mailer's 'An American Dream'. Although 'Ragtime' was originally published in 1974 and it might seem odd to call Doctorow a literary uncle to Mailer, as in large families, some nephews can be older than their biological uncles. However, I firmly believe that 'Ragtime' had a significant influence on Mailer's later historical novels and even nonfiction. Perhaps Mailer and Doctorow are more like kissing cousins. Well, I'll call them cousins for now.

Regarding a book for me, the main issue, especially regarding a novel, is whether I have been bored during the reading process or had the eagerness to continue? Regarding this book, my answer was definitely the eagerness to continue; an interesting, exciting and different story.

Regrettime was one of those books that I had always seen in bookstores since my youth, but for no reason I had not gone towards it. I am glad that I read it and did not leave the world without reading Regrettime. Read it and enjoy its different and strange characters and events. "Do not leave the world without reading Regrettime."

Video review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6W9CE...

Featured in my Top 20 Books I Read in 2017

When considering how frequently the narrative focus leaps from one character to another, one might assume that this wouldn't be the simplest or most addictive read. However, it most definitely is! With its ironic, witty, and engaging nature, along with being incredibly tragic, "Ragtime" presents an astonishing cast of historical figures. We have Houdini, the Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Henry Ford, and PJ Morgan, among others. Additionally, there are unforgettable fictional characters. It's so captivating that you'll find yourself devouring the book in just one day. The seamless transitions between the different characters and storylines keep you on the edge of your seat, eager to discover what happens next. It's truly a remarkable piece of literature that combines history and fiction in the most fascinating way.

Fantastic!

One of the most unusual books I've ever read is truly a remarkable piece of literature. It takes the reader on a journey through a world filled with unique characters and extraordinary adventures. The author's vivid descriptions bring every scene to life, making it easy to imagine oneself within the pages of the book.

What makes this book so special is its ability to blend different genres and themes seamlessly. It combines elements of fantasy, mystery, and adventure, creating a story that is both engaging and thought-provoking. The plot twists and turns keep the reader on the edge of their seat, constantly guessing what will happen next.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone who loves to explore new worlds and experience different perspectives. It is a work of art that will leave a lasting impression on your mind and heart.

This is truly a remarkable book.

If you haven't had the opportunity to explore the works of E L Doctrow, then you are indeed missing out on something truly special.

This happens to be my very first foray into his extensive body of work, and I can already tell that it won't be my last.

In fact, his other books are now neatly placed on my To-Be-Read (TBR) pile, eagerly waiting for their turn to be devoured.

The moment I started reading this particular book, I was immediately captivated by Doctrow's unique writing style and his ability to bring the story and characters to life in the most vivid way.

It's as if I was transported into a different world, experiencing every moment and emotion along with the characters.

I can't wait to see what other literary treasures I will discover as I continue my journey through E L Doctrow's works.

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Looking at these images, one can imagine the thoughts and feelings that went into their creation.

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Each image has its own unique charm and can evoke different responses from the viewer.

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Whether it's a beautiful landscape, a captivating portrait, or an abstract design, there is something for everyone to欣赏 in this collection of images.

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So take your time and explore each image, and see what they have to offer.

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Maybe you'll discover a new favorite artist or be inspired to create something of your own.

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This piece should not be rushed, and never rush to rate it quickly.

The story, full of beats, fragmented and continuous with a fast rhythm,

is painful. It starts from the early 20th century with the lives of historical and non-historical Americans and ends with the end of World War I.

Different stories are intertwined, and finally all are related to the family in a certain way.

The change of Tate and his daughter was well-handled. Because of this connection, I liked this part of the two stories more than the others. Because it was unexpected.

Since the probability that I would read the book for the second time without reading all of it was low, and since I didn't want the book to end and the characters to disappear, I read the last few chapters as much as possible. Although it was not required at all. In the end, it took me about three days, although one week would have been too much. I read it for almost two months.

Since I started reading, the score of the book for me was between 4 and 5. In the end, in my opinion, its score was 4. But I give it 5 because I'm sure it meant much more to me than just a novel.

Ragtime is precisely as most of the reviews here have described it. It is a captivating and pulsing mosaic that weaves together real and fictional characters, all set at the very dawn of the 20th century. In this era, miracles still seemed to be a tangible thing. I found myself thoroughly enjoying Doctorow's prose. His writing style was engaging and immersive, drawing me into the story with ease. Among all the characters, my favorite parts were undoubtedly those that featured Emma Goldman (of course) and Houdini. Their stories added an extra layer of excitement and intrigue to the narrative. I have never really been a huge fan of historical fiction. However, the man with the strange name, Doctorow, has managed to make me seriously want to reconsider my stance. His ability to bring this era to life and make these characters so vivid and believable is truly remarkable.

Ragtime is a book that I would highly recommend to anyone, regardless of their previous feelings towards historical fiction.

I have read numerous novels penned by E.L. Doctorow, and each one has been a source of great enjoyment for me.

Strangely enough, I'm not entirely certain how it came to be, but I had somehow never had the opportunity to read this remarkable novel, "Ragtime."

Set around the turn of the last century, specifically in the early 1900s, the story revolves around several fictional families that were highly representative of that era.

Intertwined with the tales of these families are some very prominent and vividly colorful 'real-life' historical figures. For instance, there's Harry Houdini, the famous escape artist; Sigmund Freud, the renowned psychoanalyst; J.P. Morgan, the influential financier; and Henry Ford, the pioneer of the automobile industry, to name just a few.

This extremely lively and at times almost whimsical story is brimming with the political, cultural, and social history of that time period. It is written in a style that is uniquely E.L. Doctorow's.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in engaging and thought-provoking literature.

In this time, with the heavy breaths of the machine, the era of "ragtime" had come to an end. It was as if history was nothing but a melody on a cookie piano...

The once-vibrant and energetic ragtime music, which had brought so much joy and excitement to people's lives, seemed to fade away like a distant memory.

The machine, with its mechanical movements and repetitive sounds, seemed to symbolize the end of an era.

It was as if the world was moving on to a new phase, leaving behind the carefree and lively days of ragtime.

But perhaps, in the hearts of those who had loved ragtime, the music would always live on, a reminder of a bygone era that had left an indelible mark on the history of music.

Sometime early in his career, E.L. Doctorow discovered an outstanding formula for historical fiction. He selects real-life iconic figures from the era he is covering and makes them interact plausibly with his fictional characters. This creates a “show, don’t tell” situation that vividly brings history to life. In Ragtime, we have the opportunity to look into the minds of Houdini, Freud, J.P. Morgan, Emma Goldman, Henry Ford, and others. Through this, we learn about the issues of the day and gain an authentic sense of the setting. We can appreciate the context and connections that enliven his stories.

Ragtime is set in the decade preceding WWI. There was a great deal happening during those days, especially in a place like New York. It was a period of social unrest,无疑 caused by the vast divide between the haves and the have-nots. An upper middle-class family in New Rochelle was one focal point of the book, and a Jewish immigrant and his young daughter were another. Their changing fortunes were depicted in revealing ways. A ragtime pianist also played a prominent role – as articulate and refined as a President (sorry, Joe Biden has always seemed blunderingly funny to me) until the racist stupidity of a fire chief pushed his buttons. Doctorow, as always, wove the stories together skillfully. He also had a lot of conflict, which kept the pages turning.

World’s Fair and Billy Bathgate were very good in a similar vein, that is, in blending real people and events with those of his own invention. At the same time, I have noticed some common threads that have started to put me off just a little. For one thing, the men and even the young boys are often – how should I put it – preoccupied with carnal matters. (Some might say it’s almost to the extreme of reality.) Another recurring theme seems to be how much more fully developed the Jewish soul is compared to the Gentile one. Again, some may say it’s a representative portrayal of the true demographic, but it seems a bit too obvious when virtually all the Jews are wise (both in the book sense and the street sense), morally superior, and full of character due to having been so downtrodden. Doctorow grew up in the Bronx, of Russian Jewish parentage, so I suppose he has his biases naturally. It’s not that any of that particularly bothered me. It was just something I noticed. What seemed more provocative, however, was the favorable light he seemed to cast on the anarchists he profiled. Anytime killing people is part of your agenda, I like to think you’re inviting an “Extremist” label to your cause, but I didn’t get the impression from the book that E.L. agreed.

I’m still a big Doctorow fan, but I don’t necessarily look to him as a guide through history’s more contentious political landscapes. When he’s just telling his stories, I think he’s excellent; as an essayist on morality, perhaps not so much.

I had high hopes for the book as I really liked its concept. However, it unfortunately fell short of my expectations.

Ragtime does manage to create a certain feel for the times and presents some interesting historical events. The Evelyn Nesbit story and the recounting of the Lawrence strike were truly fascinating and were among the best parts of the novel.

Nevertheless, the fictional plot that ties the historical elements together is rather mundane, and so are the fictional characters. Doctorow's attempt to create a dramatic ending with the Coalhouse Walker standoff fails to be rendered in a style that can evoke strong emotions. And then, continuing with the brother's wanderings in Mexico feels anticlimactic.

I had previously read Billy Bathgate, and like Ragtime, it had its moments but was not truly compelling. Maybe it's just extremely difficult to blend history and fiction in a style that suits both.

Regardless of the reason, I guess I'm not a Doctorow fan. Both books were quick and easy reads, but once I finished them, I was more than ready to move on to something else.