The Given Day: A Novel | Dennis Lehane | My Anticipation Overwhelmed the Product

The Given Day: A Novel | Dennis Lehane | Write-Well.net Book Review: The Given Day

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The Given Day: A N...

	The Given Day: A Novel Dennis Lehane William Morrow, 2008 - 720 pages average customer review:based on 94 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

My Anticipation Overwhelmed the Product

I prefer this kind of novel: putting fictional characters into actual historical events. And Dennis LeHane is a good writer who can handle the subject matter well. I'm finding, though, that the superlatives aren't coming to mind as I write this. I anticipated this novel so much that it didn't, couldn't live up to the hype and my own expectations.

I liked the characters. They were well-drawn and believable. Perhaps it was the context. I knew about the molasses thing and the even the socialist movements of the era that didn't lose their appeal until the second World War. I didn't know about the police unrest in Boston, but that's nothing new. "Blue Flu" is a term we're all familiar with.

I suppose I'd like to say it's quite a good book. It's a memorable which alone puts it in a worthy and rare category. And I recommend it highly.

I can't think of a single thing wrong with it. I did think that there were too few pages left to bring everything to a conclusion, but no, that was handled well too.

I suppose I expected excitement and what I got was good craftmanship.

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Write-Well.net Book Review: The Given Day

From BenPfeiffer[...]:

This year in Anaheim at the American Library Association (ALA) convention, among several worthy titles, I picked up a copy of The Given Day by Dennis Lehane.

The book comes out on September 23rd, 2008. At the bottom of the cover, the inscription "New York Times bestselling author of mystic river" caught my eye.

The front flap--rather than reveal the story's details--was a short letter from Jane Friedman at WilliamMorrow.

"In The Given Day we discover a new Dennis--one who has crafted a literary tour de force," Friedman wrote. "Brilliantly written, expertly plotted, rich with historical detail and sense of place, this is a book whose themes continue to resonate."

At the time, I admit to wondering if any book could live up to that hype. I opened the covers and turned to the prologue: "Babe Ruth in Ohio."

Ten days later, when I had finished the galley--the book was impossible to put down--I was a believer. Dennis Lehane had written something amazing. When I asked him about the novel as part of my Ask the Writer series, he brushed aside the question with a joke.

"I would strongly recommend nobody ever attempt a historical epic," Lehane says. "It's for crazy people. Way too much hard work. I'm glad it's done. I hope it's good."

In fact, the book is good. Very, very good.

Set in Boston at the end of the 1917, The Given Day brings to life a forgotten era in American history. Woodrow Wilson is the president of the United States. Calvin Coolidge is the governor of Massachusetts. The narrative follows two families: one white, one black. This is a time when one world is dying and another world is not yet born; a time of revolutions, terrorism, plagues, reds, anarchists, fear, and social upheaval. To even a casual reader, the parallels to our own time may be familiar. With good reason, Lehane says, although he can't take all the credit.

"The parallels reared their head very early," Lehane says. "I had no hand in that; the gods wrapped me a gift. All I had to do was put it to paper; editorializing or commenting on the parallels in any fashion would have been redundant. History proves that, time and time again, fear or the perception of powerlessness produces fascist impulses in people and societies. The more afraid you are, the more vicious and infantile you usually become. I don't think I say anything revolutionary in that regard with The Given Day, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be said and said as much as possible."

Social commentary aside, The Given Day is a terrific story--historical fiction at its finest. Dennis Lehane keeps the pace moving fast enough to satisfy a restless mind and slow enough to explore hidden agendas and emotions in each person he creates (or resurrects). With so much research, detail, and historical fact, Lehane never once falls into the trap of becoming professorial. Even in today's fast-paced society, The Given Day will hold its own among films, blogs, and television as a work of entertainment. The writing in The Given Day is artistic without sacrificing function. Lehane keeps tight control over his sprawling epic, treating each character with the proper respect and distance. It's been a long time since I read a novel so well written. I can't go on at length without revealing too much of the plot or the characters--so I won't. This is a book you should pick up and read for yourself.

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WOW!!!

I must admit I'm a big fan of DL, having read all his previous excellent works...when I found he had written another I immediately got it only to discover it was over 700 pages,whoops!
Anything that long would have to be exceptionally good (even against the high standards established by just his own other books)to have me consider reading it.
Guess what, I read it in 3 sittings,never wanting to put it down ,but one must sleep, eat etc.
Seriously this is a mesmerizing piece of work, every page makes you eager to turn to the next with not a let-up over those 702 wonderous pages.

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Very good read

I very much enjoyed this book except the ending kinda left things hanging and unresolved. That seems to me was done only so there could be a sequel. I mean, the Greenwood massacre in Tulsa was in 1921 so it can hardly be coincidental that Luther and Lila are back there again at the end of the book as 1920 dawns.

Lehane is very good I think in bringing out the human-ness of characters, flaws and good points, and the main characters were folks you turn the page for, to see what happens to them next. I was not as bothered by the Babe being there throughout, in many ways his struggles were a big part of what was going on in 1918-1919 Boston, and between workers and owners of the time. I'm glad he was part of this book.

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It was OK

I've read many of his books and enjoyed them. This one was long and I had to force myself to continue reading. I just didn't care until the final 150 pages what happened to the main characters.

reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, page 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17

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