Rating: 
Summary: In this case, Forever is Way Too Long
Review: I'm perfectly willing to suspend belief if that's what immersion in a well-told tale requires...so my disappointment with this novel isn't due to its fantastical premise. It's due instead to Pete Hamill's consistent yielding to the twin demons of dippy dialogue and persistent platitudes. I wanted to like this book, and I kept hoping that Hamill would toss a life preserver of solid writing craft into the (endless) seas of sub-par prose. Annoyed with the leaden pace of the first 200 pages, I should have decided not to throw good reading time afer bad. But noooooo, I thought that if I just gave it another 50 pages (and another, and another) then surely, it would have to repay my reading investment. Alas, 'tisn't true. Although there were sections that were less irritating than others (the main character's relationship with Boss Tweed was almost interesting, and some of the descriptions of NYC over time were good enough)on balance I found this book a major letdown. The 9/11 plot tie-in was introduced via blunt force, and Mr. Hamill's apparent fascination with, shall we say, certain female anatomical areas, got rather tiresome. I will not be seeking out Mr. Hamill's other literary efforts, as this 600+ pages was enough to last me Forever. For those who are interested in ripping good tales involving characters transcending time and space in NYC, I suggest Mark Helprin's "A Winter's Tale". Even if Helprin isn't your political cup of tea (and he definitely isn't mine), the guy writes so well that it's not unusual to sigh with satisfaction at one of his evocative paragraphs.
Rating: 
Summary: Didn't like it all that much but couldn't put it down
Review: The story as it begins has some of the sadest scenes I have read. Later, the premise is so far fetched , but ..... I bought into it and had to find out how it ended. If one has never visited New York for a decent period of time the story will have less meaning. In an interview Hamill admits that the final chapters were not in the original script , ie : 9/11
Rating: 
Summary: First we take Manhattan...
Review: The dustjacket promises an epic and for the most part this book does not disappoint. Noted columnist, memoirist, and novelist Pete Hamill, seemingly (but perhaps not) drawing some inspiration from the pop-fantasy franchise Highlander, has dreamt the story of Cormac O'Connor, who (without spoiling the suspense) arrives in New York in the 18th century and is promised eternal life so long as he never leaves Manhattan. Anyone who hears that deal and wonders "So what's the catch?" will adore this book. As an encomium to New York it has few peers, but the storytelling unfortunately does not quite live up to Hamill's ambitions. The narrative consists of just three epochs of Cormac's life, separated by decades, even jumping from the 19th century directly to 2001. Insofar as this unfurls a 600+ page story spanning 300 years that /never/ drags or meanders through tedious exposition, that's a refreshing quality, but it also leads to a novel that is, one might say, a few chapters short of an epic. The resulting story sometimes reads like an abridged version. A more significant flaw in the novel is Hamill's compulsion to insert figures of historical significance, almost in Forrest Gump fashion. Cormac's friendship with New York political-machine boss William Tweed seems almost to overcome disbelief, but when Hamill attempts to introduce George Washington in a speaking cameo, he falters. It would take a writer of Shakespeare's caliber to render someone of Washington's stature believably. Hamill is no Shakespeare, but noone could hope to match Hamill's knowledge of the contours and history of New York unless he were actually an immortal who had lived in the city for three centuries. Hamill writes Cormac brilliantly as a hero inculcated with a keen sense of decency and an instinctive distaste for injustice of all kinds. But Manhattan is in fact the main character and hero of this novel, and Hamill has contrived the perfect vehicle for telling the story of the first three hundred years of its own eternal life.
Rating:
Summary: Fluff and fantasy
Review: As some other reviewers, I was hugely disappointed in this book. I enjoyed some of the historical scenes but some of the dialogue and situations just made me roll my eyes. I could never quite get connected with Cormac who lives forever. Just when I was into the history, some bizarre feat of fantasy would interrupt. I especially felt the ending was contrived. The book had potential, but just did not live up to it.
Rating:
Summary: Strong in parts, but . . . . .
Review: It's a good premise, if a bit of Highlander rip-off (immortal Irishman in an American city with sword play). The early chapters in early 18th century Ireland are good, although possibly too saccharine for some tastes. The book's middle third is its strongest with fairly good characterization. Hamill's premise presents a challenge for the author. It's hard to identify with the secondary characters when they're not immortal so they keep disappearing to be replaced by other characters as time in the novel passes. But Hamill handles this fairly well.In my opinion, the book's greatest weakness is those parts set in the present day. Hamill spends a lot of time in the 18th and 19th century, but skips over the entire 20th. Suddenly we're in the 21st century and much of it rings false. It's ironic--parts of the book set hundreds of years before any of us were born seem more true-to-life than the 2001 New York that Hamill presents. The present-day passages include endless references to contemporary New York "culture" (it seems like every third page Hamill mentions the Post's Page Six--funny the first time, but after that . . . .). Earlier the book spends time with larger-than-life historical figures like George Washington and Boss Tweed. Suddenly we're in the 21st century and Hamill is relentlessly name-dropping the likes of Kathie Lee Gifford. The change in tone is too abrupt and clumsily handled. The whole thing reminds me a bit of Everything Is Illuminated. Good premise, strong start, but a weak finale spoils the overall enjoyment of the book.
Rating: 
Summary: Remember - it's historical fiction
Review: To begin with, I must tell you that I am a New Yorker - not a native but I love it non the less. It is for this reason that "Forever" may appeal to me that much more, but I don't think so. You will read in the editorial review or through customer feedback the premise of the book - but I would like to mention something that I didn't see mentioned as prevalently (sp?). Hamill does an amazing job of painting absolutely vivid images in my head throughout this book. It doesn't matter if he was talking about Ireland or NYC in it's early days - the tapestry of colors and smells, hustle and bustle, this is the groundwork upon which the story was built. The only way that I can close this review out is by saying - Thank you Pete. rob
Rating: 
Summary: Skip it....
Review: Although this novel is filled with the extremely interesting history of New York, and, the premise is promising the character development is so weak that I soon found myself rolling my eyes and wondering if, indeed, the book would go on "Forever". Skip this one...
Rating:
Summary: Huge disappointment!!
Review: After reading the storyline and other reviews, I figured it would be a book worth reading--I was very wrong! The book was very violent, the language was trashy, the characters very strange (to say the least) and the book was 400 pages too long. I kept thinking it HAS to get better, but it never did. I admit, it is not the type of story I would normally be attracted to and now I know why...the storyline was so convaluted and some of the history was interesting, but name dropping within the storyline became boring and so much didn't connect that I am not sure how I made it through the book. It was a total waste of time and I would not recommend it to anyone! I rated it one star because I had to complete the field and the lowest number available was one.
Rating:
Summary: An Absorbing Tale, Spanning the New York City Experience
Review: The premise of the novel, that Cormac O'Connor lives for centuries in New York City requires taking a giant step into fantasy, however once the reader is drawn into the life of this "immortal everyman," the story becomes compelling and absorbing. The author, a respected journalist and novelist, has crafted a masterful tale of an Irish Jew who is magically given immortality, provided that he never leaves the isle of Manhattan. From the mid-1700's until the present day September 11th events, Mr. Hamill weaves a richly textured story of history and individual experience. There are times when some elements of the story suffer from excessive "political correctness," however, the characterizations are rich, the plot is simple with just enough twists to make it interesting, and the themes are universal (justice, compassion, etc.). This is a fine novel, both thought provoking and entertaining at all levels.
Rating:
Summary: Riveting reading...
Review: Opened it yesterday and finished it this morning.
I was not eager for it to end, but I looked ahead
a bit because Hamill's skill made me curious...;> Well crafted fantasy and history of New York.
Caused tears at several points to my surprise.
When Bran yowled, for example. Hamill is new
to me as a writer. His sentence structure and
story frame made me applaud at several points.
Now and then, he reiterated to my great relief
as the story line galloped and kept me breathless. Just saw Gangs of New York and bought the paperback.
Hamill's coverage was superb thereto. Will go find his other books. Craftsmanship makes
me greedy for more...;>
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