Who Would Like This Book:
Step into the gritty streets of 1930s New York and experience the high-stakes world of gangsters through the eyes of a street-smart, quick-thinking teen. Fans of evocative historical fiction will be swept away by Doctorow's lush descriptions and Billy's captivating, heartfelt coming-of-age journey. If you enjoyed The Godfather, Dennis Lehane, or classic coming-of-age tales with a dark twist, this one’s for you. Expect to be drawn into a cinematic world where danger and beauty blend seamlessly.
Who May Not Like This Book:
If long, winding sentences or a stream-of-consciousness writing style isn’t your thing, you might find yourself skimming. Readers looking for a straightforward gangster shoot-'em-up will find more introspection and literary flair than nonstop action here. The violence, while not relentless, can be jarring at times, and some found the blend of gritty street talk and high-brow prose a bit off-putting. Anyone who prefers a minimal, direct writing approach or has a low tolerance for ambiguity between the lines might not click with this novel.
About:
Billy Bathgate is a coming of age novel set in 1935, following the journey of a young boy named Billy who gets involved with the infamous Dutch Schultz gang in New York City. The book delves into Billy's experiences within the gang, his relationships with its members, and his growth from a neglected Bronx teenager to a trusted member of the criminal underworld. The narrative style is described as captivating, with a focus on historical fiction elements and a strong sense of setting that immerses the reader in the world of organized crime during the Great Depression era.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The book may contain high content warnings due to themes of violence, crime, and moral ambiguity inherent in the gangster narrative.
Has Romance?
There is a medium level of romance primarily expressed through Billy's feelings for Dutch Schultz's girlfriend.
From The Publisher:
To open this book is to enter the perilous, thrilling world of Billy Bathgate, the brazen boy who is accepted into the inner circle of the notorious Dutch Schultz gang. Like an urban Tom Sawyer, Billy takes us along on his fateful adventures as he becomes good-luck charm, apprentice, and finally protégé to one of the great murdering gangsters of the Depression-era underworld in New York City. The luminous transformation of fact into fiction that is E. L. Doctorow's trademark comes to triumphant fruition in Billy Bathgate, a peerless coming-of-age tale and one of Doctorow's boldest and most beloved bestsellers.
Ratings (3)
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Reader Stats (12):
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Not Interested (3) |
What can you read after
Billy Bathgate?
About the Author:
E. L. Doctorow's works of fiction include Andrew's Brain, Homer & Langley, The March, Billy Bathgate, Ragtime, The Book of Daniel, City of God, Welcome to Hard Times, Loon Lake, World's Fair, The Waterworks, and All the Time in the…
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