Flying Crows : A Novel

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful premise
Review: I found the book difficult to put down. It was a great read, with interesting characters, descriptions that pulled you into the story and a fascinating premise. I found myself disappointed at the end when all my questions were not answered but life is like that.
I am looking forward to reading other Lehrer books.

Rating:
Summary: A Tour de Force That is Also a Cracking Good Story
Review: I'd never read any of Jim Lehrer's fourteen novels until this one and then only because my wife told me she thought I'd enjoy it. As a retired Kansas City psychiatrist, I was indeed fascinated by both the focus on Kansas City scenes and on the kind of treatment received by mental patients back in the 1920s and 1930s. But more than that I was caught up in the story of four men separated by generations, a 'lunatic' who murdered his family in 1905, a boy who witnessed Kansas City's 1933 Union Station massacre, a young doctor working in a 'lunatic asylum,' and a current-day Kansas City police officer. The story moves seamlessly back and forth between these periods in a way that is not only not confusing but is downright illuminating, managing to tell how the lives of these four men intersected. I admire the way Lehrer drops in historical detail in subtle ways so that we form in our minds a picture of the times. And I particularly liked the way he limned the humanity of all four main characters so that we not only find them interesting, we grow to care about them.

I would recommend this book to anyone, not just to those who are interested in midwestern history and the history of one of the most newsworthy events of the 1930s.

Scott Morrison

Rating:
Summary: Great narration, gripping
Review: In a well-told narrative, that goes back and forth two main protagonists in two different time periods, Lehrer examines complex ities and simplicties associated with life. The characters are earthy, realistic and distinctive. The book has its share of warmth, an element of pain, revolt and nostalgia. However, the premise, some elements of the plot, and the narrative technique of juxtaposing two different time periods has a strong resemblance to a Katzenbach novel (A madmans tale). Regardless, the plot's underpinngs lie in historical facts, which are well-researched. Lehrer manages to portray the grim incidents with a respectful sense of awe. A wonderful page-turner, not an entirely unique narrative technique or premise, but you will not be able to resist reading the novel in one sitting.

Rating:
Summary: 5 stars isn't enough
Review: One of the most amazing books ever - yet so simple and undemanding. I found it hard to make myself stop reading, but I didn't really appreciate it til the very last line. I closed the book and simply sat saying "Wow," - not because of any stunning revelation - just a powerful story, simply told. A masterpiece.

Rating:
Summary: Predictable at best
Review: While the writing and detail of the this book where good. The story line was pretty predicatble. Half way through (or less) you knew where this story was going to end up. Still it was charming none the less.