I'm reading this right now. It is a well-researched, interesting book written at a good pace and in language that flows ... places and characters are brought to life -- from the settlement of New Amsterdam/New York on. As one reviewer said, one drawback is that characters don't take as much time to develop as they could in a more character-driven tale -- , but it is an epic of several generations and well told. The book is most definitely told from a European-American point of view because it focusses on European characters -- the tale is told thru the voices of the characters but is critical of the attitudes of the time -- so this is not a drawback but rather something to be aware of. The characters are believably human, sometimes brave and sometimes otherwise. This is a real eye-opener of hsitoric fiction, and as someone interested in delving into the real American history I would recommend it. The fact that the main characters are surgeons/apothecaries develops an interesting tale of the burgeoning role of science as it confronts practices such as bloodletting -- a BIT reminiscent of Peter Hoeg.

This lush, intricately woven novel is truly arresting on several levels, the first being perhaps the most important: it's a darn great read, and a page turner to boot. I loved it.

Given the fast pace and many exciting events, you'll find it hard to put down. However, as you won't be able to digest it in one sitting, you'll have time to absorb and appreciate the fascinating cast of characters the author assembles. You can reflect on their motivations, desires and next moves in a way that's truly rewarding.

The scenes in the book (particularly the medical scenes) are blunt and, at times, shocking in their depictions of early American life. (You won't easily forget the kidney stone scene at the beginning! Gory!)

Don't be put off, though. There's a real thread of humanity and compassion at work here; the themes of healing and medicine that frame the book reinforce this impression and ground the author's project in the context of the larger struggle that each of us faces: our own fragility as human beings.

This essential humanity defines nearly all of the characters in some way and thus provides the true basis of a well-told tale; we can connect with these people. They live and breathe for us.

Unlike most fiction of this genre, the characters here are not drawn into simple absolutes of good and evil; each character's thoughts, feelings and actions reflect real human complexity. Nevertheless they are all (thankfully) people of action, and it is this action that makes the unfolding drama so appealing. There are sexy bits, there are touching bits, there are exciting bits, and intellectual food for thought as well. These colonial types obviously didn't have time to sit around hemming and hawing -- like all New Yorkers, they were busy!

The amount of well-researched history, both medical and colonial, that anchors this story is also phenomenally impressive. The author provides an essential history "primer" of lower Manhattan, as well as interesting but more trivial tidbits about daily life and common mores of the time. The background is varied, expansive, and vibrant; complex historical information is presented in a clear and easily understandable way without being watered down.

The clash of cultures (Dutch, Slave, English, American Indian, Jewish, etc) is very compelling, and the focus on NYC as a cradle of the American Dream seems right on target. By turning this history into a tangible, fictional narrative, Swerling makes it jump alive for the reader. We relate.

Finally, it's worth noting that given the recent tragic events in New York, the timing of this book is an eerie coincidence: the epic is really all about lower Manhattan and the people who lived there, worked there, died there and ultimately helped to shape the city we know today.

Although completely fictional, the book therefore provides an unfortunately relevant look at the history of the small geographical area that the world's attention has been focused on since the attacks.

Perhaps in some way, then, by giving life and context to the rich and dramatic saga of lower Manhattan, this exceptional book can somehow serve as an unintended tribute to lost souls. Perhaps we can take its core as a reminder of the freedoms America's forefathers fought for in the first place, and a view of New York as the rightful and unassailable bastion of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

At the very least, it's nice to think so.

Similiar in style to Edward Rutherford's historical novels("London," "The Forest"), Beverly Swerling's book "City of Dreams" focuses on early Manhattan and more specifically, medical practices during the early colonization of Manhattan.

"City of Dreams" is crammed with interesting characters such as "Red Bess" who runs the local apothecary; and fascinating descriptions of early medical procedures like the "stone cutting" (a.k.a. the removal of akidney stone) performed in all it's gory detail in the first chapter of the book.

This is not a book for the squeemish as some of the medical procedures described require the holding down of patients or the biting on various objects against pain, as well as a lot of screaming, blood, slicing, oozing pus, et al, which was how medicine was practiced in the 1700's. However, I think Ms. Swerling did a great job in showing how truely miraculous it was that anyone survived during this time period and her descriptions of medical practices ring authentic to me. In addition, the book touches on the subjects of local indians, Dutch traditions, women's rights, and other topics relevent to this time period.

This book is a really interesting read for lovers of historical fiction. I highly recommend it to all!!