UH OH, WE'VE GOT COMPETITION :

REVIEW : of A Conspiracy of Paper by David Liss (Charles Murtaugh)

Good, but not great is how I would rate David Liss's historical thriller, set in 1719 London at the height of the South Seas bubble (and written, not coincidentally, at the height of our own stock market bubble -- the parallels are laid on pretty thick, but are still enjoyable). As a good historical novel must do, Liss admirably conveys the (imagined) sights, sounds and smells of 18th-century urban life, both splendid and squalid. The main character moves smoothly between both worlds: the estranged son of a Jewish stockbroker, Benjamin Weaver has lived on both sides of the law and now makes his living, more or less, as a private detective. Weaver's many double lives -- Jew and Englishman, criminal and law enforcer, son and outcast -- are masterfully drawn, with the help of a vivid supporting cast of characters.

We welcome Mr. Murtaugh to the fold. His recommendation is reason enough to get out our copy of the book and read it finally.

One word of warning, nothing has excited more negative comment about our reviews than the letter grade at the end of each. We're continually accused of presumptuousness.

Posted by Orrin Judd at June 30, 2002 6:12 AM