Customer Reviews

The Deed: A Novel

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The most positive thing that can be said about Keith Blanchard's debut novel THE DEED is the fact that he hits one out of the park when it comes to writing about New York City. Although the novel seems a bit sophomoric at times, Blanchard, editor-in-chief of Maxim magazine, also does a solid job in bringing to life his story's protagonist, Jason Hansvort.

Set in 1999 in Manhattan, before the horrific terrorist attacks of September 11th, Jason is struggling with his career in a top ad agency. He doubts himself, he doubts his career choice and he especially doubts the current product he's supposed to be peddling. But Jason, fortunately, is a direct descendent of Pieter Hansvoort. And so Blanchard's novel tries to convince the reader that somewhere there is a deed that, after over 400 years since the Manahatas sold the city that never sleeps to Dutch settlers, will rightfully allow Jason to claim his long lost inheritance.

The deed becomes known to Jason after he receives a mysterious phone call from Amanda, a gorgeous Native American lawyer who is determined to find the Hansvoort descendent, even though his name has been shortened throughout the centuries. Jason is skeptical at first, but after his boss gets removed from the ad agency, Jason walks after a hilarious spat with his autocratic supervisor Diana and the cat-and-mouse chase for the deed really heats up.

Blanchard not only possesses the fine ability to translate the history behind the discovery of Manhattan, he also does yeoman's work in describing the sale of the island and the effect it had after the Manahata people sold it to the Dutch. The novel's prologue begins in New Netherland (New York City) in 1643. While the prologue is vital reading to understand the jest of the story, the author wastes 16 pages before the first chapter and never, ever returns the reader to that time period. He could have easily worked the entire prologue into the story and made it much more interesting.

The author tragically does an injustice to Amanda's mother as well. Mary is doing all she can to thwart her husband from allowing organized crime to establish a casino on their Long Island reservation. Blanchard crafts Mary perfectly but leaves her by the wayside far too often.

THE DEED is definitely worth reading as Blanchard illustrates the mystique of Gotham before the destruction of the World Trade Center flawlessly. He writes in great detail about Wall Street --- and the history behind it --- and the Statue of Liberty. In years to come, people who will want to understand The Big Apple and all its uniqueness should rent Ric Burns's splendid PBS documentary New York and pick up a copy of THE DEED to accompany it.

--- Reviewed by David Exum

Keith Blanchard's premise is that the fabled sale of Manhattan Island by the Manhata Indians to the Dutch is actually incorrect. Instead, the island was sold a second time by the starving Dutch colony to a Dutch man who sympathized with the Manhata, married a Manhata woman and insisted on a deed for the island so that he and his heirs could hold it for the native peoples who did not understand these legal machinations.

It's an interesting premise, but one that was explored 4 years earlier by Larry Jay Martin in his book "Sounding Drum". Interestingly, it was also a quirky comedy, it also involved a romance, the mafia and Indian casinos.

Regardless of those similarities, this book should be judged on its own merits. I liked the historical section and the actual mystery of the deed. I truly disliked Blanchard's description of Hansvoort and his friends. Page after page in this book involve the bar scene and the consumption of literally gallons of alcohol. If Blanchard was trying to show us the dichotomy between Hansvoort's pointless career and the empty lives he and his friends live and that of the Indians he failed because he did not explore the lives of the Indians.

On the whole, this book failed to go farther than just being OK for me - the white characters were unlikable, the Indians were mysterious and barely developed as characters and the mafia characters were menacing until it came to actually menace - then they were duds.

All in all, I give this one a grade of C.

This is a very light mystery novel built around different type characters than the normal police, detective or CIA agent. A young struggling ad exec is approached by a Native American, attractive attorney-to-be with very mysterious questions. While trying to overcome his attraction to her he learns her secret. Her heritage and legal background puts her in the unique position of knowing that he may be the rightful heir to all Manhattan.

Now, isn't this the type fantasy we would all like to dream about? Well, except if you are in the title insurance business of course. The novel becomes a light trip through this fantasy, the past history of Manhattan, and the growing relationship between the two main characters.

This is an enjoyable, light read for the beach or a plane trip across country. Not really breaking new ground but an excellent idea for a first time novelist.

After reading this I was reminded of both, "The Nanny Diaries" and Jack Finney's New York time travel book, "Time and Again." The Deed is a snarky read and the idea of a young ad exec becoming the sole owner of Manhattan is intriguing. It will keep you amused for a couple of days. I'll be interested to see what Blanchard comes up with next.

It's nice to read a stress-free book about a modern day treasure hunt! The author has a very good ear for dialogue. I can't wait to read more of his works.