The book of Daniel
a novel
by E. L. Doctorow · first published 1971
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2020–2026first – last mentioned
100% recommend
The Book of Daniel is a semi-historical novel loosely based on the lives, trial and execution of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg. Doctorow tells the story of Paul and Rochelle Isaacson (corollaries to the Rosenbergs) through the persons of their older son, Daniel, and his sister, Susan, who are college students deeply involved in 1960s politics. The presentation constantly shifts through backflashes as Daniel faces his [and his sister's] inability to honestly tell his life story. While there are some crude descriptions/language in places, the novel as a whole is historically informative and instr
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…Try The Golden Notebook, The Summer Before the Dark, The Grass Is Singing, The Good Terrorist, The Fifth Child, or the series that starts with Shikasta. E.L. Doctorow is another such example. Try The Book of Daniel, Ragtime, Billy Bathgate, Loon Lake. In the scifi genre (aside from the Shikasta series already mentioned), M. John Harrison is worth a look. He’s got a long bibliography but Light might be a good starting…
on “To become a better writer, read as much as you can” ↗…opportunity to incorporate a reference at the very least to one of the world's marvels. There is no mention in the writings of Plutarch, or of Quintus Curtius Rufus, when they refer to Babylon. Nor does the Book of Daniel mention it; Nebuchadnezzar went up on to the roof of the royal palace to admire his city, but the tale does not mention the supposed garden. Nebuchadnezzar is not alone, by the way, in providing exhaustive…
on “The Hanging Gardens of Babylon” ↗Read the Book of Daniel sometime.
on “19th century lions preyed on humans and giraffes” ↗