Point blank, I think i'm too simple-minded for City of God by E.L. Doctorow. There are so many points of view and it was impossible for me to keep track of any storyline for more than a few "chapters" and I'm honestly surprised it was able to make it as a bestseller because though it contains a lot of beautiful thoughts and reflections, I can't imagine it holding the attention of an average reader.
The portions regarding the Holocaust are heartbreaking and engaging. The bit about the man hunting ex-Nazis and killing them by accident was amusing and sort of charming. But the portions written as stage performances? What were those?
There's a lot of that in this book. "That" as in, I wasn't following and I had not a clue about what was happening. It's a collection of musings, sketches, and ideas with a lack of clear cut story which in pieces were often beautiful but in the end, wasn't (for me), particularly enjoyable. I'm glad I did it—there will probably be some snippets that I will remember and reflect on as I see beautiful things in everyday life—but I'm glad it's over, too.
