Customer Reviews

Back Bay

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I read this gripping saga when it was first published some 20 years ago. Since then, I've recommended it to friends and to newcomers to Boston. Recently, I bought a copy at a local library sale and began to re-read it. I am as caught up in it now as I was all those years ago when I first read it. Martin's "Back Bay" does withstand the test of time. The story is cleverly told by the use of flashback. The reader learns the secret and the mystery of the Pratt family early in the book but must wait for the revelation and solution along with the characters who live in the 20th century. The story is a marvelous blend of fact and fiction and is a must read for anyone who loves Boston, history, and mystery. I would also recommend, as a companion book, Walter Muir Whitehill's topographical history of Boston.

William Martin takes his place as the premier historical novelist of our generation. He capably wears the mantle passed down from Michener as story telling historian. He makes us want to learn history. His stories are living entities not a collection of memorized dates. Back Bay carries on the tradition of Cape Cod in both educating and entertaining the reader. This is an art he has refined in Annnapolis and Citizen Washington. While I loved Michener, I often found his introduction a bit laborious. Martin immediately immerses the reader in the story and pulls you along with such compelling force that one rarely knows when to one can take a break. Having live in Boston, I learned more intwo days of reading than in the 3 years of living. From South Boston to the Commons and Beacon Hill, this story brings one of America's first cities alive. The city is the main character.

I am not always much of a reader, but this book caught me from the first pages. It is a MUST for anyone who knows and/or loves the city of Boston and the history that goes along with it. I found myself visualizing the streets and areas of Boston as I read each chapter. My only disappointment was the ending...I could not believe that I was on the last page! I wanted it to end differently for the characters (thus, only 4 stars), but overall I was quite satisfied with the book. I am now going to dig into Cape Cod, but the same author.

With HARVARD YARD, William Martin's current bestseller, still fresh in my mind, I decided to re-visit an old friend, his first book, BACK BAY. I wanted to re-acquaint myself with the younger Peter Fallon and the Kennedy-esque Pratt family, whose 'march across the 19th century,' as Martin explains, was 'a parade as sweeping, in its own way, as Sherman's march to the sea.' I wanted to once again walk the streets of that old Boston through Martin's eyes and imagination. And, of course, I wanted to re-join Peter Fallon's quest for the Paul Revere Golden Eagle Tea Set, lost to the Madisons when they left Washington. My re-visit was every bit as enjoyable as the first time around, about a quarter century ago, when BACK BAY was first published. That it is still in print, so many years later, attests to the popularity of this effort.
William Martin writes enduring stories with enduring characters while ably illuminating the history of the times. If, by chance, the recent HARVARD YARD was your first of Martin's books, don't miss the opportunity to pick up BACK BAY and start from the beginning. It's a very good place to start!

unfolds through the clever use of past history with present day characters. It's a mystery based on missing treasure, originaly stolen from The White House just before the British burned it in 1814. It remains hidden and the facts from the past intertwine with modern characters. It has greed, power, lust, murder, and mystery all in one excitingnovel. Martin's scenes of old Boston are a wonder. I can't say more about the plot without ruining it foryou, but I will say this book deserves more than the 5 stars they will allow me

I read the book in just three sittings because I couldn't put it down! I was tempted to go to Boston and look for the treasure myself! It was great to see the tea set make a guest appearance in Martin's "Annapolis"! If you're just getting into reading historical fiction, or have been reading it for years, this is a great book to add to your collection! "Cape Cod" is right up there with it! Lots of history and lots of mystery!

This was a lively read about a wealthy family in Boston. The story is told in chapters that alternate between modern times (the late 1970s, anyway) and the past, as the family is haunted by its relationship to a Paul Revere tea set. The story is well told, but it seems obvious that the author is a historian -- the story and characters in the past, with a few exceptions, seem much more interesting.

Still, this is a fun read, particularly if you're interested in Boston's history.

I am a Historian so I thought that this book would be an interesting read. All in all this was a good book. I liked the way Mr. Martin would weave the past with what is going on in the future. It was an intriguing story and for the most part I really enjoyed the book. The problem was the ending. Without giving too much detail, the ending of this book was disappointing. After all the build up, it seemed as though Mr. Martin did not know what to do with the ending. I was left with this sense of, "I read this whole book for that?" feeling. I am willing to give this author another shot. He is a good writer and he does a good job of weaving history throughout his books. I just hope my second read does not end the way the first one did.

If you have never been to Boston you will like this book. If you have been or live in Boston, you will LOVE this book. The story is great and William Martin takes you on an adventure that keeps you turning the pages. The story of the Pratts and their search for a family treasure will make you think about your own family history and if there is a treasure to be had. I highly recommend this book. I have also read "Cape Cod" by William Martin and it is equally as fun. Killer beach reading

I love reading books about places I know well, like
Boston, especially history. And there were interesting
characters, too. But the ending was just too awful and
pointless. It will take me a while to decide if I want
to read more of his books, even the ones set in Boston.
Despite the great local history, I just can't recommend
this one.