Surrender, New York

This was not a novel - it was an excuse for the author to spew his personal vitriol against law enforcement, Giuliani, Bloomberg, Cuomo, modern New York City, television... It's the 600-page equivalent of an 80 year old man saying, “In my day...” It's not even that these were woven into the story: the reader is beat over the head with how great NYC was back in the crime-ridden 70s and 80s. If these aren't the author's personal beliefs, then it certainly feels that way and completely takes the reader out of the story. After 125 pages, I really wanted to stop reading. Marcianna is the only character I cared anything about, and the dialogue sounds like it came from a bad comic book. Oh, the stereotypes! Also the characters use British terms for things that Americans just do not use. Then there's the creepy older man with 20 year old girl romance. Not to mention that the premise of the book just doesn't make sense. The hypocrisy of a book that talks about the Thought Police while spewing inaccurate Thought Police talking points...that talks about inaccuracy in tv while doing the very same...I expected better from this author. He's been around Hollywood too long, ironically. If you liked The Alienist, do not read this book - it will change your opinion of this author. I wish I could take back reading this. I will not even donate this book to the library because I don't want anyone else to have to read it.

[b:Surrender, New York 28952751 Surrender, New York Caleb Carr https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1458203000s/28952751.jpg 49177799]Bon-apptread with the Eight-Course Meal that is Surrender, New York by Caleb Carr After reading a review by Michael Connelly as he raves in his review of Surrender, New York in the New York Times Book Review, I had to listen and take my time to enjoy this book. I even took a day to let it all digest before sitting down to write my review. Caleb Carr, once again, took me on a journey of enlightenment told through an entertaining story peppered with endearing and real characters. I laughed. I cried. I learned and most of all I enjoyed this. For being a 624-page book, this went really quick which speaks to Carr's story telling. He likes educate his audience while he entertains them. How many of us had ever heard of the term “Alienist” before he wrote the bestseller, The Alienist? I know I hadn't. in this novel he is teaching us again. This time we are learning about the plight of “throwaway children” and the unreliability of forensic science we have been brainwashed with for all these years. Just like the Alienist we are treated with beautiful pictures of Upstate New York making the reader want to go sightseeing. I noticed many complained about the writing style but given the fact that he is inspired by 19th-century writers it is to be expected. If you have been fallowing my reviews then you know I talk about devouring books in days. This one I am going to eat my words on. Please take your time and treat it like a five-star eight course meal and enjoy every page. I want to hear all about your thoughts on Marcianna in this story. She is a gem and adds tenderness to an otherwise heartbreaking tale.A wise person once said you get out of something what you put into it. Surrender, New York demands time and full attention. Don't let that discourage you–it's worth it!