I really like everything I have read by Mark Helprin. This book is similar to "Paris in the Present Tense" but not quite as good. It takes the form of a memoir that an old but not yet dying father leaves to be read posthumously by his son. The narrator's pondering is Epictetian or Marcus Aurelian in tone and complement what others here have described as the novel's "magical realism." Although the underlying plot and theme are serious, the author liberally emends with humorous and improbable details to extricate the narrator from dilemmas and cul-de-sacs. Tom Wolfe did this better in "The Man in Full" but if you liked that you will like this. The title seems to be missing an article. On pp.61-62 I thought I had found a typo when I read "a hart struck by an arrow" but the author was playing with me. There were a few words I learned: excelsior, acromegalic and rusk which was used three times (pp.308, 317, and 373). There is a listing of great books that belong in a personal library (p.374). The novel is 514 pages in length and there was superfluous detail that could have been trimmed. The trade paperback was in almost pristine condition when I finished reading it. ( )

Wonderful old-fashioned storytelling. ( )

A roller-coaster ride of a book. At times, the writing is stunning. Still not sure how I view the book as a whole though. ( )

An amazing story of an incredible life. Helprin is a phenomenal writer who draws you into the work. One of my favourite books of all time. ( )

A quick reading long story. Memoir of a man's entire life racked and lifted by events within and beyond his control. A well written book which certainly calls into question the protagonists' self opinions.
I may never drink coffee again-that's not true but it could happen after absorbing this Author's whimsical driftings through time, space and thought. How bad is it to be rich? How difficult is it to have murdered a teacher? Is a crash landing all it's made out to be? First love burns as intensely as your desire to keep reading this story's 'vistas', travels and moments of self-reflection. Franque ( )