Rating: 
Summary: Simple, yes. Great, yes.
Review: To dismiss this book as "simple" is a mistake, because it is the simplicity of the work that makes it so impressive. Doctorow employs the same literary sleight of hand that Hemingway was so skilled at; the unique ability to write a grand, sweeping novel of epic proportions, using simple, easy to understand prose. This is one of those novels that captures the feel of the era in which it was written so well, that it seems as though we are watching the action from a lower east side tenement window. I applaud Doctorow's achievement.
Rating: 
Summary: Novel of historic dimensions
Review: Ragtime is a very eventful and dramatic book. It vividly describes a period in U.S. history when that country went though all kinds of turmoil. A very dramatic subplot is the ragtime musician who rises against white society when he feels unjustly treated. He turns to terror to get justice done. The black moral leader Booker T. Washington intervenes. In the end, justice is done, but the musician Coalhouse does not survive this. What struck me when I read it was that part of the storyline is so much similar to a story from the romantic eighteenth/early nineteenth German author Heinrich von Kleist (some of whose books are also available in English). In the story (almost novel) of Michael Kohlhaas, horse trader Michael Kohlhaas is held up by a local German ruler (a local baron) when he enters his domain. The latter requires his horses and uses them for a while. Kohlhaas wants his horses back and feels treated unjustly. He organises a band of supporters, and together they turn against the petty German barons and kings. They burn down their castles. The uprising sets Germany ablaze. Society then turns to their moral leader, Marten Luther (we are speaking here of the fifteenth / sixteenth century). Marten Luther manages to get Michael Kohlhaas to surrender. He will get his horses back, but he will also be excecuted. Justice has prevailed. If you are familiar with Ragtime, you will recognize this story into all kinds of details (Booker T. Washington = Marten Luther; cars = horses, etc., the plots themselves). I don't think that this diminishes the power of Doctorow's story. I rather like the idea of great classic stories being redeveloped for new eras and different nations. Think of Odysseus and how this story has been retold (although Ulysses by James Joyce is a very unlikely modern development, if at all related). There is a warning here. Justice is not the only value that should prevail. Male pride and the quest for justice may be a bad combination. And where it took Germany centuries to become united and depose the petty rulers, so the U.S. too may have to struggle on for a long time before racial division is overcome.
Rating: 
Summary: Simple
Review: Ragtime is a clever, well-written, easy read. It contains a wee bit of controversy, a tincture of novelty, but none of the didactic truths upon which depends the immediacy of art.Based on this book, readers believe that E.L. Doctorow is one of America's finest living authors? Poor, poor America.
Rating:
Summary: Capturing an era of conflict
Review: E.L. Doctorow proves himself to be a fantastically insightful writer. While some of the history of the characters is (he admints) fictional, his accounts are mesmerizing. His style of understatement and simple sentences really takes the reader in. Looking at some of the comments above mine, I have to say that some of those who gave less than 5 stars also made strange observations. It's a bad book because it's not about Freud?! Give me a break. Read this (or any) book with no preconcieved expectations and I can guarantee you a rewarding experience.
Rating:
Summary: An Amazing Novel
Review: The novel was terrific. I thought that it was a fantastic books and everyone should read. E.L. Doctorow is sa genuis and hope to read more of his books in the future. Please everyone read this book. You will fall in love with the characters, I know I sure did!!
Rating:
Summary: I enjoyed the portrayal of that era.
Review: The times and people portrayed in the book seemed alive and pertinent to the times today. The fictional and actual people were blended into their times. It was a GREAT book. I read it four times.
Rating:
Summary: excellent story that i couldn't put down
Review: I loved this book. It created a realistic look at the America of the 1920's by placing the characters in believable historical events. The use of people like Harry Houdini made it all the more interesting.
Rating:
Summary: I love this book! I love this musical! I love E.L. Doctorow!
Review: How can anyone deny the fact that this is one of the best books written about America's people? It was perfect in almost every way! How anyone can say that it lagged is beyond me! I am only a teen, but I know what I like! This weaves the unforgetable story of immigrants, blacks, and whites. It brings forth truth in America. I loved the book. And the musical was fantastic, too. This historical fiction novel is one of the best out there.
Rating:
Summary: Could this book be any better?
Review: I have long searched for a book that could grasp me the way E.L. Doctorow's did while I indulged myself in his cleverly woven masterpiece of modern time. Yes, I am only a sophomore in High School, but I still appreciate a good book when I see one. I am responsible for creating a 40 minute oral report on this work, and beleive strongly that you won't, for one second... See a frown on my face.
Rating:
Summary: An enlightening and gut-wrwnching book
Review: Ragtime, by E.L. Doctorow, is one of the best novels I have ever read. It is not only suspenceful but really makes you see how difficult life was for all people; immigrants, high society, and even the famous, at the turn of the century. Also it shows you how disturbing human charactoristics can be. I really felt for all of the charactors, especially Coalhouse, Mother, and Younger Brother who had to learn to change with the times and become more liberated and openminded. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recomend it to anyone. I am 14 and read this book for the 1st time when I was 10. I loved it then and I love it now
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