City of God
by E.L. Docotow
2000 / 288 pages
rating:  6  (mixed) / 21st century fiction (philosophical)

Uff-da.   I was totally prepared to dislike this book but I got sucked in  with the idea of the cross being stolen and placed on the top of the new Jewish Synagogue.  Why?

That particular question is never answered,  but Doctorow apparently thinks a lot of other questions  are.   I was very confused as to the chronology and the point of view – so it was very difficult for awhile.  Then that cleared up,  to a point,  and I really, really enjoyed the book –  for about 100 or so pages.  Alas – it was not to last.  Doctorow tried to make this book the Great American Novel or something answering all socio-economic-religious and philosophical issues by using a rather slim (and unresolved) plot line in a non-linear chronology with stories and songs within stories infused with free verse poetry.

Meanwhile,  Doctorow is hiding behind Everett who is – ta-da -writing a novel.   He adds songs and poetry, too, as well as a good sprinkling of sex and violence – with special note given to the Holocaust,  not to mention the natural world from the Big Bang to the ants in Central Park.  >>>>MORE>>>>