Book Reviews of City of Light

I can't remember the last I read such an intriguing historical novel. It has everything; The history of Buffalo, NY circa 1900, the development of hydroelectric power at Niagara Falls, the Pan-American Exposition, political plotting, two murders, children born out of wedlock (GASP!) unrequited love, whispers of lesbianism, and a narration by an intelligent woman born too soon for her ideas. Well written, to boot! I wish there were more by this author.

A fascinating journey to early 1900s Buffalo, New York focusing on the building of the Niagra Falls power plant. The main character is the female headmistress of a girls school who, harboring a secret of her own, is caught up in a whirlwind of murder, intrigue, power and politics. The other characters, both real and fictional, are full of life and I guarantee you will never think the same of President Cleveland again!
A wonderful historical novel dealing with the industrial revolution, environmentalism, business, politics, womens social issues, the development of a city, and even a little romance.

In 1901 Buffalo, New York, Louisa Barrett is headmistress of Buffalo's most prestigious school. She makes a starling discovery--evidence of a murder tied to the city's cathedral-like power plant at nearby Niagara Falls. This shocking crime--followed by another mysterious death--will ignite an explosive chain of events.

Historical fiction about turn of the century Buffalo, NY. A murder mystery also. Gripping and very favorably reviewed.

Excellent historic novel.I learned more about 19th century Buffalo, NY, Than I would have thought possible. And, many interesting facts about the Naiagara power project, especially to me, as an engineer.
The depth and insight into the people of that day is quite amazing. Some of the characters you wil find still occupy your mind, long after reading this book.

Not the kind of book I usually order, but it looked interesting and was actually quite good. This writer's debut is first class. The most intriguing thing was not the mystery, but where the writer was going with an idea. The book had many fascinating characters and themes. The narrator was not as likeable as I wanted her to be. Some of the characters who were supposedly "greedy" and "harsh" were the characters I liked best and identified them as the more "moral" ones despite the author's intent. An interesting book with a definite socialist view of progress.

Well written, keeps your interest as different sub-plots emerge. Story set in the beginning of the 20th century when Buffalo was coming into prominence.

MOM can't stop talking about it. How they were harnessing the Niagra Falls for enegrgy and how fantastic it was...... she claims she only remembers the important things (she has pre-altheimers *Bad spelling) and this broke thru enough to be really important and impactfull. I jsut haven't had time to get to it myself but I have 2 copies so will keep one and swap the other ENJOY.

In the year of 1901, Louisa Barrett, the headmistress of Buffalo's most prestigious school is drawn into a murder associated with the city's new power plant at nearby Niagara Falls.

Interesting historical novel with a good plot!

This book was slow to engage me. The historical aspects were interesting and the portrayal of a woman living a life outside the accepted norms for the time really caught my fancy.

I very much enjoyed this book. Usually I guess when I read historical books, they are not about turn of the century America but rather usually overseas and more medieval! But this book, set in 1901, was really good. I wasn't sure I'd like the storyline of power stations and the book being set in Buffalo, but it worked really well and told a story I never would have known otherwise!

Excellent book - partly because it's a style of writing I like, partly because it happens in Buffalo which I live near.

Buffalo, New York in the 1900's. Lots of politics and the double standards women had to live by

My favorite genre is historical fiction. Being from upstate NY only added to the pleasure of this book. Stellar is a good description. This book has a cult like following. Read it and enjoy.

Nigara Falls and some interesting characters.

It is 1901 and Buffalo, New York, stands at the center of the nation's attention as a place of immense wealth and sophistication. The massive hydroelectric power development at nearby Niagara Falls and the grand Pan-American Exposition promise to bring the Great Lakes "city of light" even more repute.

Against this rich historical backdrop lives Louisa Barrett, the attractive, articulate headmistress of the Macaulay School for Girls. Protected by its powerful all-male board, "Miss Barrett" is treated as an equal by the men who control the life of the city. Lulled by her unique relationship with these titans of business, Louisa feels secure in her position, until a mysterious death at the power plant triggers a sequence of events that forces her to return to a past she has struggled to conceal, and to question everything and everyone she holds dear.

Both observer and participant, Louisa Barrett guides the reader through the culture and conflicts of a time and place where immigrant factory workers and nature conservationists protest violently against industrialists, where presidents broker politics, where wealthy "Negroes" fight for recognition and equality, and where women struggle to thrive in a system that allows them little freedom.

Wrought with remarkable depth and intelligence, City of Light remains a work completely of its own era, and of ours as well. A stirring literary accomplishment, Lauren Belfer's first novel marks the debut of a fresh voice for the new millennium and heralds a major publishing event.

Part murder mystery, part love story, a historical novel of high intigue

The year is 1901. Buffalo, New York is poised for glory. With its booming industry and newly electrified streets. Buffalo is a model for the century just beginning. Louisa Barrett has made this dazzling city her home. Headmistress of Buffalo's most prestigious school. Louisa is at ease in a world of men, protected by the titans of her city. But nothing prepares her for a starting discovery: evidence of a muder tied to the city's cathedral-like power plant at nearby Niagara Fallls. This shocking crime-followed by another mysterious death-will ignite an explosive chain of events. For in this city of seething intrigue and dazzling progress, a battle rages among politicians, power brokers, and industrialest for control of Niagara. And one etraordinary woman in their midst must protect a dark secret that implicates them all...

A remarkable blend of murder mystery, love story, political intrigue and tragedy of manners.