Play Audiobook Sample
Paradise Alley: A Novel Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(4.01) - 704 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
Publisher Description
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.
Download and start listening now!
"Amazing! A great read, based on real life events. I'm amazed at how much research the author did to write this. Also, it depicts life in the mid 19th century in NYC, Civil War, slavery, race riots, the Irish Famine, etc. so vividly. Loved it, but thought the last chapter could have been more powerful."
— Abby (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
-
“A gripping saga of New York at war—with the Confederacy and with itself—climaxing in the torrential Draft Riots that roar through the city’s streets, sweeping the brilliantly realized characters to their respective destinies.”
— Mike Wallace, Pulitzer Prize–winning coauthor of Gotham: A History of New York City to 1898 -
“Rich in color and drama...Extraordinary...A triumph.”
— New York Times Book Review -
“Extraordinary...Baker achieves a hallucinatory realism packed with sensory detail, demonstrating why historical fiction is able to trump conventional historiography.”
— Los Angeles Times Book Review -
“An engrossing epic.”
— Entertainment Weekly -
“One of the best books of 2002.”
— Boston Globe -
“What makes Paradise Alley a most worthy read is the author’s inestimable talent for breathing life into the people who inhabit his world. It is in coming to know and care about these characters’ lives and their futures that makes this novel a rare and special work.”
— Denver Post -
“A page-turning epic.”
— New York Post -
“Inspired...Vividly entertaining, and its themes are as timely as any drawn from this morning’s newspaper.”
— Baltimore Sun -
“[A] huge success...Fascinating, instructive, never pedantic.”
— Houston Chronicle -
“Phenomenal.”
— San Diego Union-Tribune -
“Brilliant.”
— Hartford Courant -
“Baker is a master...Paradise Alley probes the primal mystery of those opposite poles, love and war, with skill, drama, and deep humanity.”
— Edmonton Journal -
“The combination of momentous events, tellingly real aspects of lower-class 19th-century life, and raw emotions like fear and pride make this a viscerally affecting story.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“[A] richly detailed, impeccably researched drama.”
— Booklist -
“Deftly plotted, fabulously detailed, and never less than absorbing. An authoritative blend of documentary realism and driving narrative that’s just about irresistible.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review) -
“With Paradise Alley, Kevin Baker emerges as our finest historical novelist, illuminating a critical and unexplored moment of the Civil War with compassion and vitality...Baker’s novel of immigration, slavery, rage, and rebellion miraculously captures not just the essence of our nation’s past but of where we stand today. Paradise Alley is a powerful and unforgettable book.”
— Peter Nichols, author of Evolution’s Captain -
“Paradise Alley is a powerful book that eschews what’s trendy for the old-fashioned literary pleasures: rigorous storytelling, deeply felt observation, and a judicious use of the bombshell surprise. Do yourself a favor and read it.”
— Darin Strauss, author of Chang and Eng and The Real McCoy
Awards
-
Winner of the 2003 James Fenimore Cooper Prize for Best Historical Novel
-
Winner of the American Book Award for Fiction
-
One of the 2002 New York Times Book Review 100 Notable Books for Fiction
Paradise Alley Listener Reviews
-
" epic. historical fiction takes place in nyc during the civil war. fascinating, page turner. "
— Julie, 2/15/2014 -
" A compelling work of historical fiction, painting a riveting tale of New York City during the Civil War. The perspective of the Irish immigrant, the runaway slave and a city and nation in turmoil, telling the story of the New York City Draft Riots in a manner I had not been exposed to previously. "
— Scott, 2/11/2014 -
" Intense novel about NY history. "
— Alicia, 2/1/2014 -
" Great book. I learned something--draft riots in NYC "
— Suzieg, 1/18/2014 -
" Interesting to read because it takes place in NYC in the late 1800s during the Civil War..a lot of scenes reminiscent of the movie, Gangs of New York. "
— Leah, 1/18/2014 -
" I loved this book ... It was historically accurate and I fell in love with many characters. I would recommend this book to everyone. "
— Shelley, 1/1/2014 -
" Well written and excellently researched, I nonetheless had difficulty getting into the book. The backstories of each character developed them, but I had trouble until the end caring about the current events. A depressing but fascinating look into a difficult time in our nation's history. "
— Laurelyn, 12/26/2013 -
" Follows a group of New Yorkers leading up to and during the Draft Riots of the 1830s. Scary depictions of how mobs form and what happens once they do... not pretty. "
— Chris, 10/5/2013 -
" A wrenching description of the New York Draft riots during the civil war. His description of both the Potato Famine and the mob progression (especially the lynchings) were difficult to read. Shocking but worth the read. "
— Stacy, 9/5/2013 -
" fantastic historical fiction on the draft riots "
— Lisa, 8/15/2013 -
" I really liked this historical novel. "
— Nan, 6/3/2013 -
" Interesting historical fiction piece. You need to stick to it because the end is really good. "
— Tara, 8/21/2012 -
" One of my very favorite books! Historical fiction at its best! "
— Darcy, 2/19/2011 -
" This is a really good historical novel about the riots in New York in 1863. I bought the book from a used book site and it was really good. It deals with race issues and Irish immigrants. I was very impressed. "
— Kris, 1/11/2011 -
" Great little history lesson. I love books about people worse off than me. It is uplifting and depressing at the same time. "
— Gwen, 1/13/2010 -
" Loved this book- sorta like Gangs of New York. I adore historical fiction about New York City- let me know if anyone has any good recommendations for me! "
— Kim, 6/4/2009 -
" i love the fact that Kevin Baker uses actually historical characters and events and creates these great stories. "
— Danielle, 4/23/2009 -
" I don't ever admit to being drawn to historical fiction...instead, I simply admit to liking good stories, better story tellers. So forgive me my T C Boyle...and this book....but this is one helluva book. I wept for the final 30 pages and I. Do. Not. Cry. Masterful story-telling broke me though. "
— Ann, 11/5/2007 -
" This was a Today show recommmend - really liked it. Reminded me of the movie Gangs of New York alot. "
— Catherine, 12/12/2006 -
" Deja vu all the way along. I swear I may have read this already. Ugh. "
— Helen, 11/6/2006 -
" An interesting view of the fire department of NYC long before they became the heroes of 9/11. Who would think putting out fires could be a brutal competition? "
— Tony, 9/11/2006
About Kevin Baker
Kevin Baker is a novelist, historian, and journalist. He has been a professional writer since the age of thirteen, working originally for the Gloucester Daily Times as a stringer covering school-boy sports. He is the author of several books and coauthor of Reggie Jackson’s Becoming Mr. October. His work as appeared in Harper’s, where he is also a contributing editor, the New York Observer, the New York Times, and the New Republic.