Mum's Monday: New York by Edward Rutherfurd

At the very start of this book I find myself re-reading a name of one of the characters, Dirk van Dyck. I read it as Dick Van Dyke, the name of the famous actor from the film ‘Mary Poppins’ (1964) and later playing Doctor Mark Sloan in the television series ‘Diagnosis Murder’ amongst many other roles. With New York originally being called ‘New Amsterdam’ I can see why the author used ‘Van’ in the character’s name, as this is a common occurring name in the Dutch names language.

We slowly find out how the places in New York got their names like Manhattan and the Hudson river. This book is an interesting way of learning American history.

At the end of this chapter it is nice to see that Dirk Van Dyck’s daughter, Pale Feather was put before anything else.

In this chapter ‘New York’ we read of how the city got its name, it is not from the British city of York, but it is actually named after the Duke of York, who took over the city. The surrounding area was called Yorkshire, just like the county of Yorkshire back in the United Kingdom. We however, now know it as ‘New York State’. How that came about is not as yet mentioned in this book and may not be. If it isn’t then this book could make you want to do more research. A book/story that gets you interested in finding out more information can only be a good thing.

This book goes, very much in-depth, into the slave trade, the good and sadly, the bad sides of it. This book really makes you understand what went on and all the protocol of slave ownership. It is a surprise to read this part that is told from the prospective /point of view of the slave Quash.

This book high-lights that as our children grow up, they have to make their own way in the world, as in Hudson’s case going off to sea, however, worrying it is for the ones left behind. It is lovely to read some good news back from Boston after a two week wait.

After a close call it is good to see Quash was able to carry out his boss’s dying wish. A small part but a bit of tension and some quick thinking saves the day.

The story has now suddenly taken a very dark turn for the worse. Sadly, as we sometimes see a person’s last will and testament can cause problems in a family and beyond it. Although things didn’t turn out as Quash had hoped, it is lovely to see Clara and Mr. Master rescue him, for him to go on to better employment and ultimately better prospects. There is a nice surprise at the end of the chapter.

As I start the next chapter, it continues, not to be complimentary of women. This sadly, comes from the English ways. Also in this chapter we read more about the sugar trade and the use of slaves to work it. It is sad to see that whether they agree with the slave trade or not, you couldn’t escape it in the workings of a trade.

In the chapter named ‘Montayne’s Tavern’ the name George Washington appears and I have to wander if it is the same person that ultimately becomes the first president of the United States of America.

It is nice to see that Mercy gets a chance to go to London in the UK, I hope it lives up to her expectations.

It is strange to read that there were no banks in New York. There were some in London, I just took it for granted there were banks where they were needed in all the cities across the world and when a city was or had been established.

Another familiar name is mentioned as in Benjamin Franklin is also in the UK and may well return to London.

There is a lot mentioned about other States and cities in America and of London. These other places had more of an effect on New York than I first thought. This book is called ‘New York’ but it has to acknowledge how much other places contributed to the city to help it become the place we know of today. I did wander, until I realised, why it wasn’t just about ‘New York’ alone.

It is good to see James Master own up to his past actions, regarding a job, to Charlie white and his son Stan. I am glad the truth has come out at last.

In the year 1776 it is unclear who is in charge of New York. This book is also very informative in that I didn’t know that there was a threat of a war in the lead up to America’s independence from Britain and after the declaration of independence, until I read this book. It is nice to see Charlie White come to the rescue of John Masters despite the falling out they had had and not getting along with each other.

Most, if not all have heard of the great fire of London, but there was also a fire in New York as well in 1776. It doesn’t seem to be as big as the ‘Great Fire of London’ and it is not clear how the one in New York started. More is known about the fire in London compared with the one in New York.

It is sad to read of the treatment of the prisoners on both sides in New York during the war surrounding America’s independence.

It is clever the problem solving aspect of the small matter of what to do with Solomon. The way this was worked out and written was very well done.

With the name that keeps being mentioned ‘General Clinton’, it makes me wonder if he has any family connection to the, now former president of the United States of America, Bill Clinton.

In a part it says that Abigail basically didn’t think the end of her letter to Grey Albion was ‘Perfect’. I disagree, I thought the ending was ‘Perfect’, especially as to what is said in this story to Abigail by her father, John Master later on in this part. I also don’t agree when James lied to Abigail about Grey Albion.

Another name that is mentioned in this book is ‘Horatio Nelson’. We hear of him in his more commonly known endeavours but it is interesting to find out he was also linked with New York in this book.

Another familiar name in this book is Thomas Jefferson, who also became a president of the United States of America.

In 1790 I now read that New York is classed as the capital of America. we all know that now it is Washington DC. It will be interesting for/to me to find out how and when New York lost its capital status. It should be explained in this book I hope. One thing that is mentioned in this book is that New York is not liked.

Now we read that Weston Master is all grown up with a family of his own. it is tragic to read of what happened to his father James over in England.

Weston is visiting the northern part of New York state, including the magnificent Niagara Falls and Buffalo. This book is called New York which could now cover the whole state rather than just the city and make this book more in-depth and also more interesting, bulking the story out a bit more.

It is interesting to read about how the newly built canals helped New York’s trade. Unfortunately, another city may lose out.

At the start of the chapter ‘Past Five Points’ it is unclear where Mary and who she calls the ‘Devil’ fits into the story until we find out the household she wants and hopes to work for. It is sad to read about Weston.

However much you are against the slave trade you cannot as yet separate the slave trade from the money in New York made from the southern cotton trade. Equally it is good to see Mary stick to her morals and no longer wants anything to do with Yan after what he did.

Abraham Lincoln is now the president of the United States of America and a war between the north and south is taking place, however, sad to read this book is truthful.

During the chapter called ‘The Draft’ we go from reading about the war through Mary and Gretchen going to Coney Island, another part of New York city to Sean from Five points welcoming the English Prince into his saloon. This chapter covers a lot, but is disjointed and jumps from one or two or even three characters to another and more.

New York is now home to a vast number of Irish people. This is explained well as to why the Irish were there and how they were treated after they arrived in the city.

This book high-lights you shouldn’t annoy firemen, sadly, it is portrayed in this story that firemen like to start fires as well as supposed to put them out, or not as we are yet to find out if they do. Sadly, I think the Draft office is destined to burn uncontrolled.

It is sad to see all the unrest in New York city, this chapter now makes sense as it mentions all the people that could be caught up with it all in one way or another, if only for Mary and Gretchen and Theodore to avoid it all together. sadly, however, news travels fast even back when this story is set in 1863.

It is sad and a tragic shock to read of what happened to Hudson River the man who worked for Sean. It would have been nice to have some warning and not just come upon it and know now that he wasn’t safely where we last read he was.

New York is now becoming more built up. it is interesting to read of the apartment blocks going up and what people thought of them. Until they see the benefits. The EL train (As it was called because it is elevated above the city streets) is also in service. The city is becoming ‘Up and coming’. Also as I read about other railroads being built across New York state and others it makes me think of ‘If they are still in service today and if they are where they actually run to and from now and if they have been added to over the years’.

The description of the weather in the chapter called ‘Snow’ is brilliantly done. Normally you just get what the weather is doing. In this book it is written as to how it came about/ formed. This part makes/adds to how interesting it is to read this book.

Another familiar name that is mentioned in this book is ‘Teddy Roosevelt’ another character who is described as young but when they are older, becomes another one of the presidents of the United States of America.

The familiar names keep coming up, we now read about Winston Churchill, who later becomes the United Kingdom’s Prime Minster, during the second world war. Churchill and Roosevelt meet so I don’t think we have read the last of these two men.

It is interesting to read that in 1901 and beyond New York is becoming more, what could be described as parts as today, luxurious and the cables and transport is planned to be put underground, although some cables have already been buried. We also read that Ellis Island, the immigration border point is now open for business.

Not only we read about familiar people there are two familiar company names as well, the ‘Cunard’ and ‘White Star Line’ large shipping companies.

It is sad to read the character imply there isn’t more to life than money.

It wouldn’t be a book about New York if it didn’t mention some of the famous buildings around the city, including the thin, first ever skyscraper built in the city. This is done in a clever way, in that Edmund Keller passed it on his way to meet Hetty Master and others.

As the years are passing the railway system is expanding and although down to a trickle, immigrants are coming into the city. It is interesting to read how the city grew. The story although jumps over the years, isn’t rushed.

Most, if not all have heard of the ban on alcohol in America. it is mentioned in this book that there were ‘Speakeasies’ in New York, where they served alcohol in secret, other than the odd reference to it, ‘Prohibition’ as it became known isn’t in this story in so much detail, but I suppose there wasn’t much to actually tell from that time.

Most, if not all knows about the ‘Wall Street Crash’ with all the talk about money and investing it , whether it was intended in the story or not, I got the sense of impending doom, despite the happy event that ultimately took place, concerning the families money and how the crash would affect the family.

The description of the ‘Wall Street Crash’ in 1929 is so well explained that there is no sudden shock in the story line that I actually expected to read. We do also read of the construction of the ‘Crysler building and the Empire State building. You couldn’t have a book about New York including its history without mentioning such buildings being built. It is interesting to read the description of how they were built also.

As this book jumps to the year 1953 this story makes me as the reader surprisingly aware that there are bridges that connect all boroughs of New York city except Staten Island. I have heard and I am aware of the Staten Island ferry but the realisation of no bridge or even a tunnel, I feel I should have already known this. This book is a surprising eye-opener.

In the relationship between Charlie and Sarah, Sarah being Jewish, her family follow the Jewish traditions and after she takes Charlie to visit and he takes part, afterwards he has questions, so when Sarah who has mixed feelings about Judaism, it is amusing to read Sarah saying that Charlie will know more about her Jewish background than she does.

It is interesting to read how money affected the lives of the people who lived in New York from 1987 onwards, it is certainly an eye-opener and the sums of money around is surprisingly massive. It is nice to read that mostly Gorham Master stayed modest although he had regrets and strived for more, that was out of his reach whether he liked it or not.

The attacks on the twin towers on 9/11 are described really well and sympathetically, it is sad, yet heart-warming to read of what happened to the Wampum belt. This story could have ended with so much more tragedy, but it actually ended with a great message, before this another, the realisation that money isn’t everything, the two messages is what I am going to remember from this book.

This book does skip over some major events that happened in New York history, I feel that there could have been more written about some of them. I also realise that some family’s stories come to an end sometimes abruptly. It is a shame; it would have been nice to read on about some of them. Although, some pop up again further on which is lovely to read.

I did wonder how this story would work out as it is a factual account of a city but made into a novel, the stories are done well and it works well, covering just one initial family, the Masters, through their generations is a workable idea as we see in this book. I am glad I read this book, it is epic.