947. City of God

City of God
E.L. Doctorow
2000
Around 275 pages

I thought we left Doctorow behind in the 1980s, but here he is showing up again, making it awkward. Well, I never really enjoyed his name dropping prose, and this novel was no different.

There's actually not much of a plot here as it is stream of consciousness, but the main thread involves the theft of a cross from a church in Manhattan. I did enjoy Doctorow's thoughts on religion, but found the style and structure really grating.

Doctorow's fans will probably appreciate the patchwork of historical events and perspectives, but it's too scattered for my tastes. 

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

At the time of his death, Barack Obama called him "one of America's greatest novelists."

UP NEXT: White Teeth by Zadie Smith

813. Billy Bathgate

Billy Bathgate
E.L. Doctorow
1989
Around 325 pages

I'm not the biggest fan of gangster stories, so this was kind of a snore for me. E.L. Doctorow is kind of a snore in general actually. I think that's the price of including so many real people in his stories. It doesn't exactly hold up as evergreen prose.

Billy Behan is an impoverished fifteen-year-old living in The Bronx with his mother. One afternoon, Billy is present when infamous Jewish mobster Dutch Schultz arrives to inspect a shipment of illegal beer. When Billy demonstrates his skill at juggling, an amused Schultz calls him a "capable boy" and tips him. Billy is later accepted into the gang. Isn't this just The Bronx Tale?

The Bronx Tale actually came out in 1989 as well, so that's a weird coincidence. Women in mob stories don't really have a lot to do, but I still enjoyed Drew Preston, the rich socialite and love interest for Billy, as a character.

Still one more Doctorow to go, sigh.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

Runner-up for the 1990 Pulitzer Prize.

UP NEXT: London Fields by Martin Amis

667. Ragtime

Ragtime
E.L. Doctorow
1975
Around 270 pages

E.L. Doctorow is a guy who you have an okay time with, but you don't really want to schedule a second date. Unfortunately, for the purposes of this List, I will have to hang out with him two more times, and probably have to sleep with him too. 

This is probably his most famous work, and centers on a wealthy family in New York in the early 1900s. Their fortune comes from the sale of flags and fireworks, and I guess it was a patriotic time. The most unique thing about this novel is how often Doctorow incorporates real people into his narrative, starting with Harry Houdini crashing into a telephone pole outside the main family's house. So this would be an interesting read if you are fascinated by the era.

Doctorow couldn't be bothered to name his main characters, because he is so busy name dropping real people that have no relevance to the plot. You'd think a book named after Ragtime music would be snappier and less tedious.

I did enjoy the moments where he was describing the music, which is not an easy subject to write about. If you need proof, check out my 1001 album blog!

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

In 1998, the Modern Library ranked Ragtime number 86 on its list of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century. 

Adapted into a 1981 film and 1998 musical.

UP NEXT: Humboldt's Gift by Saul Bellow

645. The Book of Daniel

The Book of Daniel
E.L. Doctorow
1971
Around 320 pages

Man, the books have been really disgusting lately. I'll be quite happy if we can get through a novel without a description of somebody's anus. But B.S. Johnson is next, so I think this is just a pipe dream.

Basically, we get a fictionalized account of the lives and trials of the Rosenbergs (who are represented in the novel as Paul and Rochelle Isaacson). Their son Daniel is writing his doctoral thesis on his parents' history. The novel flip flops between the "present" (1967) when Daniel is married with a baby, and flashbacks to the early 50s. 

So I absolutely despised Daniel, who is an abusive psycho. At least Doctorow shifts perspective so we aren't entirely stuck with him for the entire time. Doctorow makes many choices to distinguish the events in his novel from real life, and the result is not very interesting. We get stuck with some annoying original characters, and I think I would have preferred a more factual story.

I just never seem to click with this guy, I don't find his style funny or shocking. 

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Adapted into a film in 1983 directed by Sidney Lumet.

UP NEXT: House Mother Normal by B.S. Johnson