Paradise Alley, Kevin Baker
Paradise Alley, Kevin Baker
List: $45.99 | Sale: $32.20
Club: $22.99

Paradise Alley
A Novel

Author: Kevin Baker

Narrator: Kevin Baker

Unabridged: 22 hr 26 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Harper

Published: 04/04/2006

Synopsis

At the height of the Civil War, word spreads through the poorest quarters of New York City that a military draft is about to be implemented -- a draft from which any rich man's son can buy an exemption. The outrage this inspires escalates into the worst urban conflagration in American history. Down in the waterfront slum of Paradise Alley, three women -- Deirdre Dolan O'Kane, Ruth Dove, and Maddy Boyle -- struggle with their private fears as they wait for the storm to descend upon them. Deirdre, devastated by the news that her husband, Tom, has been wounded in Gettysburg, must turn for comfort and aid to two women she has always judged as morally depraved -- Ruth, married to an ex-slave, and Maddy, a hard-living prostitute.

About Kevin Baker

Kevin Baker is the bestselling author of the novels Dreamland, Paradise Alley, and Sometimes You See It Coming. He is a columnist for American Heritage magazine and a regular contributor to the New York Times, Harper's, and other periodicals. He lives in New York City with his wife, the writer Ellen Abrams, and their cat, Stella.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Carol on April 25, 2022

Basically this Civil War novel is GANGS OF NEW YORK, told at a very slow pace with way, way more sentimentality. Have to give it 2 stars just for historical research, but beyond that, strictly meh. You have to feel sorry for this author. If you're Kevin Baker, how do you write a novel about the Draft......more

Goodreads review by Jody on January 08, 2008

I ran across this book by accident, and I am very glad that I did. Kevin Baker does an amazing job of bringing historical fiction to life. This novel takes place during the Civil War draft riots in the 19th century, and examines the events from a variety of perspectives. There are numerous storyline......more

Goodreads review by Ron on November 11, 2013

Kevin Baker is quickly altering the landscape of American historical fiction. His first novel, Dreamland, burst into flames three years ago — a hypnotic portrayal of Coney Island designed to parallel the chaotic city of New York in 1911. His latest, Paradise Alley, stays on Manhattan, but it moves b......more

Goodreads review by Jean on February 28, 2015

I'm only about halfway through this book and not sure I want to finish. I read Baker's "Dreamland" and liked it, so decided to try this one, too. I guess I just cannot stomach books that are so relentlessly grim and dark. I am enjoying some of the chapters, and I like learning about history through......more

Goodreads review by Anthony on July 25, 2019

I felt the need to start this book on July 12th, since the events take place between July 13 - 15 in 1863. It was about as hot now as it was in the book. Reading historical fiction, I know I always say this, but it reminds me of how good we have it today. No matter what the hardships we may suffer t......more

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