City of Slaughter

by Cynthia Drew

2012 Pushcart Prize Nominee Fourteen-year-old Carsie Akselrod and her younger sister, Lilia, flee the Russian pogroms to live with relatives on New York's teeming, dangerous Lower East Side. Like many Jewish immigrant Americans in the early 1900s, the girls go to work in sweatshops, eventually taking jobs at the ill-fated Triangle Waist Company, scene of the infamous 1911 industrial fire that claimed the lives of 146 garment workers. Set against Tammany Hall politics and gangland crime, City of Slaughter is a tale of a woman torn by family, faith, and her drive to rise from poverty, succeed in business, and claim her place in New York's world of fashion and society.

Genres: Historical Fiction

312 pages, Paperback

First published March 10, 2012

Reviews

[Sue Seligman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not really sure how I feel about this novel. I enjoy reading historical fiction, and especially books about Jewish American history, and when I read the synopsis and the reviews about this book, I couldn't wait to read it. The plot intrigued me and the beginning of the book which takes place in Russia during the time of the pogroms against the Jews hooked me in with the realistic descriptions and at times, the horrifying depictions of violence and destruction. When the progression of the plot moved to early 20th century New York, the novel began to slow down a bit for me, and although I was anxious to learn how the main characters would survive the issues of immigration, sweat shop labor, early marriage, hunger and poverty, it was difficult to keep reading. I am guessing that the writing style became a bit wordy, and the transition between the many individuals was a bit confusing. Yet the subject matter kept me reading until the end, although I have to admit that I did skim through certain parts. I feel that this is an important story about a difficult time in our history, but I think it could have used some more thorough editing and maybe even some more revision. The final chapter of the book did me leave me wanting a more definitive resolution..although some loose ends were tied up, there may be room for a sequel.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good solid 3.5 stars for me.

At first I didn't like this book. I found the writing different than anything that I had encountered. I mean this book is supposed to be a saga. I was hoping to really be invested into the characters. In stead I got a lot of short sentences and things that happened without any pre-story to accompany it. I had put the book down for a week but then felt myself drawn back to it. I found that through the book (with it's many characters and seemingly random events) I found that I really got to know the character. I couldn't put the book down.

A great first novel.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love historic fiction. It held my attention imediately. A story of survival from the Ukraine to New York City.

[S R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made my husband and I think of our own families: The majority of my husband's relatives worked in the garment industry. We never thought about what life was like for them and it was never discussed by his parents or grandparents.

WE both felt the book was extraordinary. It provided a whole new perspective on how the Jewish immigrants suffered in Russia and what they suffered to arrive to the U.S. and then the unbelievable suffering they went through once they arrived to the lower east side. The characters resonated with the reality of that time.

We couldn't put the book down!

[Rory Costello · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a grim and harrowing story, but ultimately rewarding. It's about the efforts of women (and men) to surmount the series of grave obstacles that they face in life. It reminded me of the naturalist fiction of Zola and Frank Norris, but with a modern feel. Certainly not sentimental, but not too bleak either, and the pace is very brisk. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

[Dottie Resnick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a phenomenal book! It is a captivating book following two young girls from the pograms in Russia to the tenements in New York City. Their courage and determination was astounding and believable. I had a hard time putting the book down.

[Maureen Chason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely interesting.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like historical fiction and this book really intertwined history of the Russian pogroms and life on the lower east side in the early 1900's with the fictional characters.

[The Bookmonger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this months ago, but I can still picture images from the story in my mind. I felt transported to that time setting. The narrator was a loveable character, strong and well developed. If you are a fan of historical fiction, this is definitely one to read.

[Jennifer Nickert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best historical fiction I've read in a long time. I couldn't put it down.