London: The Novel

This is a well-written, well researched saga that entertains as it teaches and informs.Fictional characters and events are seamlessly interwoven with historical places, figures, and events, without the gratuitous, mass-market sex scenes, violence, and current-cultural filters that seem to plague most historical fiction novels. If you enjoy fluid writing, engaging characters, and are a history buff who likes to strap in for a long, multigenerational literary journey, then this is a book (and author) for you.

A beautiful book traces the lives through the centuries of several families. The class systems development, technology, and religion as well as politics effect even the most humble.

If you plan a trip to London, have been to London, or are just a lover of historical fiction, read this book. But, if you don’t like really long books, this isn’t for you.Highly recommended.

If your eyes glazed over while reading history books or in class, this may be just what was missing while you were in school. Author Edward Rutherfurd painstakingly presents us with the development of London through 2,000 years of history. While Rutherfurd is a scholar, this is not a scholarly work. Nor, is it a dry accounting. Interwoven through the centuries are the generations of fictional families that give us the human interest element. You might even think of it as history delivered soap opera style.A work of this scope cannot dwell for long on any single period of time. The early story includes the Ice Age, Vikings, Druids, Caesar crossing the Thames, and the Roman occupation of (then) Londonum. Despite the many hundreds of pages, major historical events receive a smattering of attention. This novel presents us with Medieval times, brings us into the Renaissance and into our present day. While doing this, Rutherfurd includes architecture, the royal houses of Europe, literature (even Chaucer is a character), theater, the Catholic Church and Protestantism, politics, wars, the beginnings of guilds, and the development of London's sprawl from a primitive settlement to a modern city.There are a few points to mention. The first one has nothing to do with the story but rather, reading this book on a Kindle. Obviously, it is far easier to lift/carry/hold than the heavy paper version. But the downside is that, it is impossible to see the maps that are so helpful in the hard copy version.Sometimes it was difficult to remember characters. If you don't read for a while, continuity may be lost. There are so many characters it's hard to keep them in mind.While I applaud the author for writing an engaging historical novel, character development was lacking. But then, how could he possibly have included such a scope of history if he had not curtailed his characters in some way? True to the times of sons following fathers in their line of work or being apprenticed out, Rutherfurd's history is accurate. However, he used specific trans-generational traits that just didn't ring true. Characters imbued with strength, honor, or simplemindedness for example, made them less believable. Conversely, it could be seen as the author's device for helping the reader keep track of the many characters.Is it worth investing your money and time to read LONDON: A NOVEL? Yes, if you enjoy (re)learning history. Yes, if you like seeing how climate, politics, wars, illnesses, and human frailties have forged into creating our past and (hopefully) appreciating how they impact our future. And yes, if you relish seeing places you've been or, plan to see for yourself.

Once again Rutherfurd marries amazing history with wonderful story telling. After reading Sarum, Russka and China, I looked forward to London and was not at all disappointed. I truly admire his weaving of fictional families through actual historical eras and events. A truly great read.

I finally finished it! It took me nearly three months and I must confess that a some point I became discouraged and thought I might never read it through. Not because it wasn't good or I didn't enjoy it, but because of the length. Maybe someone who can read more than one book at the time, who can put it down for a few weeks and pick it up later won't mind so much. For me, I confess it was a challenge, one I completed happily.Now, to the review. I quite liked the novel. It goes without saying, it's about London and the history of its people. It follows four or five families through the centuries and their daily life becomes a window to the day-to-day business, religion, politics, customs, etc of the different ages.If I had to criticize something it would be that some chapters fall short of the importance of the moment, some critical events are merely mentioned in passing. Still, other chapters are rich, full of detail and truly convey the spirit of the moment. It was a good quick review of English History and I thoroughly recommend it to anyone who feels like traveling back in time and slowly make the way back to present day.As for the author, I'll probably read some more of his books, the one about New York feels like the best candidate. But in a little while, it's not that his writing is tedious, but after finishing such a novel one kind of needs a break from him.

The characters are brilliantly created and I felt so attached to every single one of them. I didn't want the book to end.

This is the fourth time I have read this book and it's fascination never diminishes. I have read most of Edward Rutherfurd's books, some several times. I would recommend London and all the others to anyone who is interested in history. Rutherfurd has a wonderful way of inserting fictional people into real events that bring them all to life. As I read London I made a list of the places in the wonderful city I would like to visit. Have been many times to Seven Dials, seen the London Stone and walked in the footsteps of the characters. Amazing

Read this book in 2009, and its a standalone book about the history of London.Set as from 54 BC until 1997, we follow six different families throughout the history of London and their achievements.These six families are wonderfully interwoven through London's history, from the early Roman settlement to the dockland development of today.Real lifelike characters within this history come vividly to life, and the period details are superbly intertwined in this story about one of the greatest cities in the world today.Highly recommended, for this is a marvellous standalone book about London, and that's why I like to call this story: "A London Masterpiece"!

Rutherford has done a genius job of weaving together real facts and figures of genuine British history with his own fictional families and characters and their fortunes and debacles. I've lived in London my whole life but having finished this book (it took me three months, it's quite long) my appreciation, understanding and love of my home city has increased ten-fold. Yesterday I took the day off work and wondered the City of London, visiting all the key locations described in this novel. It was fascinating to visit places like The Monument (Christopher Wren), St Paul's, Church of St Brides, The Tower - after hearing their stories and intrigue in this book, and then getting to go visit them in real-life. There are nuggets of gold scattered throughout (St Bride's Church is the basis for the modern wedding cake, 'Soho!' was a hunting call, Mayfair named after the May Fair of London etc). The Blitz chapter almost moved me to tears. Highly recommended if you love history, want to know more about London, or just love a good epic saga. Next time you're walking through London, everything will seem different - trust me! Bravo Mr Rutherford!

If I were ever asked what book I would take to a Desert Island I would have no hesitation in saying "London" - the characters and richly woven pattern of life evolving from when London was technicaly a swamp enthralls me every time I read it - the people and their lives meandering through time - the ups and downs - the laughter and the tears makes for one of the most fantastic reads ever.From a personal point of view I have learnt so much that the History lessons in school missed out - the tiny bits of life in London over the centuries are captured in this book. I feel like the people are dear friends (apart from some whom I loathe)and every time I finish it I feel sad which is stupid considering it is a book. I have a "London" hit at least once a year!If I had a negative comment it would be that some of the sections could have gone on longer but that is me being picky as I love the characters so much I want to stay with them in their timespan for longer than Edward Rutherford permits me to, so it is a purely selfish thing.I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a really good read - must admit at 1600 pages not for the faint-hearted but every page is a delight.

I didn’t hate the book, and finished it (but I do), but it was so long and became to samey.