Saturday, July 14, 2018

Book Review "Golden Hill" by Francis Spofford

A stranger, whose name of course is Mr. Smith, comes to early 18th century New York with a letter of credit for a thousand pounds sterling. Who is he? What does he want? And why won't he tell anyone? 

Sharing more details of the plot of would ruin not only the surprise but the journey. 

This novel is a fresh update on the rambling 18th century novel. It plays out on the same streets we know today -  Broad Way, Wall,  Maiden Lane. 

To complete his unknown mission, Mr. Smith has to learn to navigate the customs and currencies of the city of 7,000 without raising alarm. Unfortunately, he's landed in town during a heated political skirmish between the governor and the assembly and everyone wants to know what side he's on. The counting house he presents the letter of credit to is unsure whether he's a worthy and wealthy man whose credit they must meet to avoid their own ruin  or a con artist whose credit they must not meet to avoid their own ruin. The single women, especially the younger daughter of the counting house owner, are paying attention. But the whole town has to wait for a ship from England to arrive that will either prove or disprove his story - which even then won't solve the whole mystery.
  
Along the way we  learn about shipping routes, local festivities, brew pubs with various political affiliations, the public hanging of native American scalps, how the various religions engaged with each other's holidays and  how people moved about town. We see the start of the banking, trade and theatre industries. 

The plot is surprising. The characters are refreshing. It's a fast read with many twists and turns. Not one major character ends up being what you expect them to be. Not one. The historical setting is organically shown rather than explained.

Spofford accomplishes - rather breezily - what most authors hope for: an entertaining and educational read that sparkles with near-invisible skill.  

Critics are in consensus on this one: read it!