Status
Available
Call number
Call number
F Zim
Collection
Publication
Viking (2012), Edition: First Edition, 432 pages
Description
It is 1663 in the tiny, hardscrabble Dutch colony of New Amsterdam, now present-day southern Manhattan. Orphan children are going missing, and among those looking into the mysterious state of affairs are a quick-witted twenty-two-year-old trader, Blandine van Couvering, herself an orphan, and a dashing British spy named Edward Drummond. --From dust jacket.
Media reviews
Jean Zimmerman’s first novel, THE ORPHANMASTER (Viking, $27.95), is the ideal historical mystery for readers who value the history as much as the mystery. Set in New Amsterdam in the mid-17th century, Zimmerman’s nicely flowing narrative is animated by robust characters who thrive on the edges
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of civilization. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member DianeGia
In the 1663 Dutch colony of New Amsterdam, orphans are going missing and being found in horrifying states. Blandine, a grown orphan and a successful trader becomes involved with Edward Drummond, an English spy while the mystery surrounding the missing orphans becomes hysteria as people believe the
An historic thriller, I enjoyed the descriptions of New Amsterdam's life and geography as well as the well drawn mystery. There are some brutal descriptions which I found hard to read (and even harder to get out of my mind), but they were not gratuitous and brings to mind the horrifying ways humans (continue to) treat each other. Blandine and Edward, as well as the Orphanmaster himself, are well drawn and secondary characters have unique personalities that are well described.
Overall, a good historical mystery, with thrilling action, romance and a fascinating story that should attract a readers of literary fiction as well as genre readers.
Disclosure: I received this galley from Viking Pub, through the Penguin Debut Author's Program on earlyword.com, First Flights. I will get to participate in a chat with the author this Wednesday.
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witika, a flesh eating demon of Algonquin psychic life, is terrorizing their community.An historic thriller, I enjoyed the descriptions of New Amsterdam's life and geography as well as the well drawn mystery. There are some brutal descriptions which I found hard to read (and even harder to get out of my mind), but they were not gratuitous and brings to mind the horrifying ways humans (continue to) treat each other. Blandine and Edward, as well as the Orphanmaster himself, are well drawn and secondary characters have unique personalities that are well described.
Overall, a good historical mystery, with thrilling action, romance and a fascinating story that should attract a readers of literary fiction as well as genre readers.
Disclosure: I received this galley from Viking Pub, through the Penguin Debut Author's Program on earlyword.com, First Flights. I will get to participate in a chat with the author this Wednesday.
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LibraryThing member jmchshannon
“The more things change, the more things stay the same” seems to be the main theme behind Jean Zimmerman’s The Orphanmaster with its focus on political intrigue, ambition, and human depravity. Set in New Amsterdam, the story follows Blandine van Couvering, a female merchant who is way ahead
There are several issues with The Orphanmaster that will prevent a reader from thoroughly enjoying it. The biggest concern is the uneven pacing of the story. Throughout the novel, the story pushes forward in spurts and starts. Certain scenes require frantic reading, and others are so slow that a reader will be hard-pressed to keep reading. The slow sections outnumber the exciting or interesting passages, especially in the beginning. In fact, it takes approximately 100 pages or more before it begins to pick up the pace or even make sense. Various subplots also progress unevenly. Edward and Blandine’s burgeoning relationship is one that proceeds at breakneck, almost unrealistic speed, while the murder mystery plods along well after a reader has deduced the guilty parties. The entire story would benefit from more even pacing.
Normally, a novel set in an unfamiliar place and time while using an unfamiliar language or vocabulary is a challenging but still manageable read. What unnecessarily complicates The Orphanmaster is the constant narrator changes and the fact that at least two of the narrators are mentally ill. Switching narrators within a novel is a great way to round out a story, allowing readers more intimacy within the story with multiple first-person narratives. However, when the switches occur haphazardly, a reader struggles to follow the story as it progresses. The change in point of view is too abrupt, and one’s utter absorption in the novel is disturbed by the need to stop reading in order to remember where this particular narrator’s story last paused. What makes following the narrative in The Orphanmaster even more difficult is the fact that at least two of the narrators are very sick. A reader is not only left struggling to follow the story after a narrator change-up but also trying to discern meaning and understanding behind the cryptic statements and visions made by a narrator who may or may not be hallucinating and/or delirious. After a while, a reader will adjust to the various narrator voices, but as with the pacing, it does take time and more than a few pages to feel comfortable.
Where The Orphanmaster excels is in the details, not only of the characters and their actions but also the historical elements. Ms. Zimmerman does a fantastic job using actual historical documents to provide the reader with an accurate understanding of life in New Amsterdam. She even pinpoints fact from fiction in her Author’s Note at the end of the novel, allowing a reader to appreciate her careful and thorough research. She applies the same thoroughness when describing a scene or character. In fact, hers is a no-holds-barred approach as she details the most private of functions or most horrific crimes against humanity. It is not a novel to be read while eating. At the same time, a reader can appreciate the fact that Ms. Zimmerman is not afraid to detail even the more grotesque elements of being a human as it just confirms the brutality of early America and her commitment to accurate storytelling.
The Orphanmaster is one novel that has been generating a lot of pre-read buzz, something that typically creates high expectations for readers. Unfortunately, it is not going to be able to merit those high expectations, and most readers will finish the novel disappointed, if they finish it at all. While The Orphanmaster is not necessarily buzz-worthy, it is not a horrible historical novel in spite of its problems. Yes, for a novel that is so careful about its attention to detail, Edward and Blandine’s relationship sticks out as unrealistic, and a reader will struggle adjusting to the uneven pacing and constant shifts in narrator. Nevertheless, for its glimpse into life of this doomed colony, it is unparalleled. Perhaps not the book of the summer, The Orphanmaster will still intrigue those readers who can overlook its faults and appreciate the story.
Acknowledgments: Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Press for my e-galley!
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of her time in her deportment, profession, and beliefs, and Edward Drummond, an English spy with an insidious past. Along with a handful of friends and allies, all of whom exist on the fringes of society, they race to discover the truth behind brutal murders that are petrifying the settlement. What follows is a jagged, somewhat confusing historical serial murder mystery.There are several issues with The Orphanmaster that will prevent a reader from thoroughly enjoying it. The biggest concern is the uneven pacing of the story. Throughout the novel, the story pushes forward in spurts and starts. Certain scenes require frantic reading, and others are so slow that a reader will be hard-pressed to keep reading. The slow sections outnumber the exciting or interesting passages, especially in the beginning. In fact, it takes approximately 100 pages or more before it begins to pick up the pace or even make sense. Various subplots also progress unevenly. Edward and Blandine’s burgeoning relationship is one that proceeds at breakneck, almost unrealistic speed, while the murder mystery plods along well after a reader has deduced the guilty parties. The entire story would benefit from more even pacing.
Normally, a novel set in an unfamiliar place and time while using an unfamiliar language or vocabulary is a challenging but still manageable read. What unnecessarily complicates The Orphanmaster is the constant narrator changes and the fact that at least two of the narrators are mentally ill. Switching narrators within a novel is a great way to round out a story, allowing readers more intimacy within the story with multiple first-person narratives. However, when the switches occur haphazardly, a reader struggles to follow the story as it progresses. The change in point of view is too abrupt, and one’s utter absorption in the novel is disturbed by the need to stop reading in order to remember where this particular narrator’s story last paused. What makes following the narrative in The Orphanmaster even more difficult is the fact that at least two of the narrators are very sick. A reader is not only left struggling to follow the story after a narrator change-up but also trying to discern meaning and understanding behind the cryptic statements and visions made by a narrator who may or may not be hallucinating and/or delirious. After a while, a reader will adjust to the various narrator voices, but as with the pacing, it does take time and more than a few pages to feel comfortable.
Where The Orphanmaster excels is in the details, not only of the characters and their actions but also the historical elements. Ms. Zimmerman does a fantastic job using actual historical documents to provide the reader with an accurate understanding of life in New Amsterdam. She even pinpoints fact from fiction in her Author’s Note at the end of the novel, allowing a reader to appreciate her careful and thorough research. She applies the same thoroughness when describing a scene or character. In fact, hers is a no-holds-barred approach as she details the most private of functions or most horrific crimes against humanity. It is not a novel to be read while eating. At the same time, a reader can appreciate the fact that Ms. Zimmerman is not afraid to detail even the more grotesque elements of being a human as it just confirms the brutality of early America and her commitment to accurate storytelling.
The Orphanmaster is one novel that has been generating a lot of pre-read buzz, something that typically creates high expectations for readers. Unfortunately, it is not going to be able to merit those high expectations, and most readers will finish the novel disappointed, if they finish it at all. While The Orphanmaster is not necessarily buzz-worthy, it is not a horrible historical novel in spite of its problems. Yes, for a novel that is so careful about its attention to detail, Edward and Blandine’s relationship sticks out as unrealistic, and a reader will struggle adjusting to the uneven pacing and constant shifts in narrator. Nevertheless, for its glimpse into life of this doomed colony, it is unparalleled. Perhaps not the book of the summer, The Orphanmaster will still intrigue those readers who can overlook its faults and appreciate the story.
Acknowledgments: Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Press for my e-galley!
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LibraryThing member ltcl
Historical mysteries are difficult to write because the reader wants the story to be thrilling but accurate, characters to be compelling but ones that the reader can identify with and most of all we want to learn something of the time and place the story is set in. The Orphan Master is that and
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more. Set in New Amsterdam, now known as the island of Manhattan, Blandine van Couvering a female orphan unmarried trader (almost unheard of in those times) is an orphan and crosses over the classes and ethnic groups to trade with and keep company with Dutch,British, Native American and Negro men, women and children. She is uncoventional and very concerned with the fact that several orphan children have disappeared. Given the fact that the children who have disappeared are those that are not the children of the Dutch the authorities are not doing much to stop these crimes. The rumor mill suggests that an native demon is killing the children and eating them but Blandine, her friends,among whom are the Orpanmaster and Edward Drummond (a British spy) are determined to find out who is responsible. The relationship between Blandine and Edward is blossoming even though they become the major suspects. Jean Zimmerman's portrayal of a Dutch colony that is on the verge of becoming taken over by the British and fearful of superstitions they don't understand is masterful. This debut novel will fit well with others about Manhattan such as Beverly Swerling's City of Dreams, Pete Hamill's Forever and Edward Rutherfurd's New York. The Orphan Master is due to be released in June of 2012. I reviewed an advance copy of this book. Show Less
LibraryThing member Beamis12
The amount of history this book covers is amazing! Dutch New Amsterdam, the southern tip of what would become Manhattan, in the 1660's, traders, trappers, River Indians and Mohawks are all represented. Charles II has been recalled to the throne and is set on having all those who signed his father's
ARC by NetGalley.
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execution writ, murdered. Drummond is the King's man and sent to the new world to find those few men who have managed to escape England. Blandine, the main protagonist, is a young woman moving up in the world of trade and Aet Visor is the orphanmaster, the man in charge of bringing orphans to this place and making sure they are given to good homes for both care and labor. They all must come together to find who is killing orphans. This is a character and setting driven mystery as is extremely well done. Though a bit confusing at the beginning because the information imparted to the reader is extensive, the pure delight in reading the history of this area as well as the repeating characters, soon provides its own reward. The amount of historical research required for this book is impressive. This is truly a first rate historical read, with interesting concepts and characters. ARC by NetGalley.
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LibraryThing member sedelia
The best thing about The Orphanmaster is its historical detail. Zimmerman does an excellent job of setting the scene and integrating issues and concerns the colonists had during that time. The legend of the witika was delightfully horrific, and I enjoyed reading about it. This story has lots of
In terms of characters, Blandine was my absolute favorite. She is so strong character and really stands on her own. Though there are men in her life who help her, she doesn't lean on them and she's perfectly capable of taking care of herself. I really appreciated that and was rooting for her to overcome the patriarchal and suspicious society she lives in.
For all of its detail, I do think that the history overshadows the story. I think some of the setting could have been cut to make room for more plot and character development that would have added a richness to both. As it was, I didn't feel connected to any of them except for Blandine. Even then, I only really connected with her because she's a strong female character dealing with the ideals and prejudices of people living in the seventeenth century. And for a mystery, there wasn't much suspense. It's just sort of life-as-usual with the kidnappings in the background, when they should have been the focus of the story. Also, once enough information is given about the people in the town, it is obvious who the killer is. The characters take a lot longer to figure it out, which was frustrating for me.
I enjoyed the story overall, however. Fans of historical fiction will enjoy how effortlessly Zimmerman transports the reader to another time and place, and fans of mystery will enjoy the legend of the witika and the completely psychotic murderer.
*I was given a free copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*
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drama to keep the reader entertained. Though the first half is a bit slow, the second half really picks up and it is simply a race to the end. I will say that this is not for everyone, as it is rather graphic. Some of the violence and gruesome details were unnecessary, I think, and only used for shock value, which I dislike, but most of it fits in with the mystery of the orphan disappearances in the colony.In terms of characters, Blandine was my absolute favorite. She is so strong character and really stands on her own. Though there are men in her life who help her, she doesn't lean on them and she's perfectly capable of taking care of herself. I really appreciated that and was rooting for her to overcome the patriarchal and suspicious society she lives in.
For all of its detail, I do think that the history overshadows the story. I think some of the setting could have been cut to make room for more plot and character development that would have added a richness to both. As it was, I didn't feel connected to any of them except for Blandine. Even then, I only really connected with her because she's a strong female character dealing with the ideals and prejudices of people living in the seventeenth century. And for a mystery, there wasn't much suspense. It's just sort of life-as-usual with the kidnappings in the background, when they should have been the focus of the story. Also, once enough information is given about the people in the town, it is obvious who the killer is. The characters take a lot longer to figure it out, which was frustrating for me.
I enjoyed the story overall, however. Fans of historical fiction will enjoy how effortlessly Zimmerman transports the reader to another time and place, and fans of mystery will enjoy the legend of the witika and the completely psychotic murderer.
*I was given a free copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*
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LibraryThing member JJbooklvr
I have always been a fan of historical fiction, especially early American history. This one is set in the 1660s New Amsterdam and surrounding areas. You can tell the author did a lot of research which I appreciated, but at times it seemed more like a history lecture instead of a fiction book. I
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also thought the story dragged out a bit longer than it should. It is like the author was not sure if she wanted to write a straight historical novel, a supernatural one, or a romance one. The parts did not all quite jell for me. It is worth a try though for fans of this time period. Show Less
LibraryThing member Twink
Jean Zimmerman is the published author of many non fiction books, but The Orphan Master is her fiction debut.
Zimmerman's previous works have focused on the 'changing role of women in America.' In The Orphan Master she takes us back to 1663 and the Dutch settlement of New Amsterdam - what we now
Zimmerman has successfully combined history and mystery with some romance thrown in to create a engrossing read. The descriptions of life in that time and place, the politics and the amount of historical detail woven into the tale made for made for fascinating reading. The characters were all strongly drawn, with Blandine being the standout for me. She was strong, fearless and made her own way in a time period where women were usually slated as supporting characters. Although I enjoyed the character of Drummond, the Englishman, he didn't grab me as much as I expected. Instead I was drawn to secondary characters, such as Blandine's friends and protectors Kitane, Antony and Raeger.
Although the identity of the perpetrator is known half way through the book, (and wasn't too hard to suss out) I never lost interest. The only part that felt awkward to me was the romantic getaway between Blandine and another character. It felt clumsily inserted and out of place. Fair warning to delicate readers - the crimes are quite gruesome. But all in all, Zimmerman is a good storyteller and this first foray into fiction is quite commendable. Film rights for The Orphan Master have been sold already.
Zimmerman's previous works have focused on the 'changing role of women in America.' In The Orphan Master she takes us back to 1663 and the Dutch settlement of New Amsterdam - what we now
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know as Manhattan. Her protagonist is Blandine van Couvering, a young, beautiful woman who is also a successful trader. Blandine has been an orphan since the age of fifteen and the colony's local orphan master has helped her and hundreds of other parentless children find their way over the years. But when orphans start disappearing and rumours abound, Blandine is one of the few to take notice. Could it be the orphan master himself? What about the whispers of the Witika - a creature known to crave human flesh? Could it be the Native peoples? What about the Englishman newly landed in New Amsterdam? Or the wealthy family in town who control just about everything - except one of their own?Zimmerman has successfully combined history and mystery with some romance thrown in to create a engrossing read. The descriptions of life in that time and place, the politics and the amount of historical detail woven into the tale made for made for fascinating reading. The characters were all strongly drawn, with Blandine being the standout for me. She was strong, fearless and made her own way in a time period where women were usually slated as supporting characters. Although I enjoyed the character of Drummond, the Englishman, he didn't grab me as much as I expected. Instead I was drawn to secondary characters, such as Blandine's friends and protectors Kitane, Antony and Raeger.
Although the identity of the perpetrator is known half way through the book, (and wasn't too hard to suss out) I never lost interest. The only part that felt awkward to me was the romantic getaway between Blandine and another character. It felt clumsily inserted and out of place. Fair warning to delicate readers - the crimes are quite gruesome. But all in all, Zimmerman is a good storyteller and this first foray into fiction is quite commendable. Film rights for The Orphan Master have been sold already.
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LibraryThing member vcg610
An historical novel, yes, but oh so much more! Author Jean Zimmerman has meticulously researched the data on the colony established by the Dutch West India Company in the 1600s. The colony, New Amsterdam, will eventually become Manhattan, but in 1660 it is a bustling center of commerce under the
The Dutch culture in that era allows much more freedom for women than the English, which means that Blandine van Couvering, orphaned at 15, is allowed to continue in the work of her family and thus is one of the emerging "she-merchants" in the community. Currently she is 22, no longer a responsibility of the Orphan Master Aet Visser, but she still relies on him for advice and guidance. Visser himself seeks the aid of a new arrival in New Amsterdam, Edward Drummond. Though claiming to be a grain merchant, he is in actuality a spy for King Charles II of England, who intends to claim the territory now occupied by the Dutch. Visser asks Drummond to check on one of the orphans he has placed with the Godbolt family to confirm whether or not Visser's suspicions regarding this family are valid. Intrigue and suspense abound, as virtually everyone's end game is making money. This family stands to gain substantially when the orphan receives an inheritance from family across the sea. Visser doubts that the current child is the same one he placed there.
The purpose of the New Amsterdam outpost is to collect and return beaver pelts to the fatherland, and the result is that traders and merchants abound, adeptly bartering tools and supplies, even guns, to the native American hunters and trappers who supply the pelts. Everybody wins!
But the ugly circumstance that the community slowly comes to notice is that orphans are occasionally disappearing. The citizens gradually comprehend that something, or someone, is targeting the most vulnerable among them. Deep fear and horror strike their hearts when bones of children are discovered in remote fire circles surrounded by signs and totems that indicate a demon that is part of local indian lore, the witika, may be responsible. The witika demon is also associated with cannibalism. As unthinkable as it seems, there is no doubt a serial killer capable of great evil in their midst.
It isn't long before frightened people begin to suspect others in the community, and believe me, there is no shortage of possibilities! Because Blandine seems to be the only one concerned when one of the black community's children disappears, she is considered suspect, and possibly a witch. Since Visser is the only adult in the community charged with the responsibility of all the orphans, perhaps he bears guilt in the disappearances.
This saga has so many twists and turns, so many interesting characters, and so many heart stopping moments of terror built into the story, that the reader's interest is held captive til the very end. There are so many reasons to recommend this book...here are two: One, it is NOT a trilogy, so I can assure you there is closure; and two, though it has just come out in print, it is about to become a movie so you need to read it first and cast it in your own mind to see if you are thinking like the great minds of Hollywood...just sayin...
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iron fist (and wooden leg) of Petrus Stuyvesant. One of the bureaucratic jobs in the community is the Orphan Master. His job is to oversee and protect and provide for the orphans there. Orphans may have originally been part of families where parents died from disease or other traumatic events, or they may have been orphans in the fatherland who were occasionally rounded up and sent across the sea to serve as indentured servants performing all the drudge work that the bustling, growing economy requires.The Dutch culture in that era allows much more freedom for women than the English, which means that Blandine van Couvering, orphaned at 15, is allowed to continue in the work of her family and thus is one of the emerging "she-merchants" in the community. Currently she is 22, no longer a responsibility of the Orphan Master Aet Visser, but she still relies on him for advice and guidance. Visser himself seeks the aid of a new arrival in New Amsterdam, Edward Drummond. Though claiming to be a grain merchant, he is in actuality a spy for King Charles II of England, who intends to claim the territory now occupied by the Dutch. Visser asks Drummond to check on one of the orphans he has placed with the Godbolt family to confirm whether or not Visser's suspicions regarding this family are valid. Intrigue and suspense abound, as virtually everyone's end game is making money. This family stands to gain substantially when the orphan receives an inheritance from family across the sea. Visser doubts that the current child is the same one he placed there.
The purpose of the New Amsterdam outpost is to collect and return beaver pelts to the fatherland, and the result is that traders and merchants abound, adeptly bartering tools and supplies, even guns, to the native American hunters and trappers who supply the pelts. Everybody wins!
But the ugly circumstance that the community slowly comes to notice is that orphans are occasionally disappearing. The citizens gradually comprehend that something, or someone, is targeting the most vulnerable among them. Deep fear and horror strike their hearts when bones of children are discovered in remote fire circles surrounded by signs and totems that indicate a demon that is part of local indian lore, the witika, may be responsible. The witika demon is also associated with cannibalism. As unthinkable as it seems, there is no doubt a serial killer capable of great evil in their midst.
It isn't long before frightened people begin to suspect others in the community, and believe me, there is no shortage of possibilities! Because Blandine seems to be the only one concerned when one of the black community's children disappears, she is considered suspect, and possibly a witch. Since Visser is the only adult in the community charged with the responsibility of all the orphans, perhaps he bears guilt in the disappearances.
This saga has so many twists and turns, so many interesting characters, and so many heart stopping moments of terror built into the story, that the reader's interest is held captive til the very end. There are so many reasons to recommend this book...here are two: One, it is NOT a trilogy, so I can assure you there is closure; and two, though it has just come out in print, it is about to become a movie so you need to read it first and cast it in your own mind to see if you are thinking like the great minds of Hollywood...just sayin...
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LibraryThing member JBD1
Warning: if you start reading this book, you may not be able to leave off until you've turned the last page. Jean Zimmerman has written an attention-holding tale of early 1660s New Amsterdam, though I should note that the book is perhaps not for the most squeamish of readers, as there is a fair
This reminded me a bit of Caleb Carr's books, or Imogen Robertson's Crowther-Westerman series (unlikely partners setting out to solve a series of vicious crimes, in this case the sudden disappearance of orphaned children). Zimmerman shakes things up a bit by offering brief snippets from different perspectives, so the reader occasionally sees things from unexpected angles. The book runs somewhat long at 400+ pages, but I found that it fairly flew by for me ... even though you know what's going on, it's still something of a rush to figure out how it's all going to end up.
New Amsterdam makes for quite an interesting setting for the story, and it allows Zimmerman to explore some themes that don't often get much treatment in historical fiction set in early America: the role and status of women role in Dutch colonial society, American Indian superstitions and traditions, and the search for the regicides who fled to New England at the time of the Restoration.
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amount of nastiness afoot in the bustling Dutch settlement.This reminded me a bit of Caleb Carr's books, or Imogen Robertson's Crowther-Westerman series (unlikely partners setting out to solve a series of vicious crimes, in this case the sudden disappearance of orphaned children). Zimmerman shakes things up a bit by offering brief snippets from different perspectives, so the reader occasionally sees things from unexpected angles. The book runs somewhat long at 400+ pages, but I found that it fairly flew by for me ... even though you know what's going on, it's still something of a rush to figure out how it's all going to end up.
New Amsterdam makes for quite an interesting setting for the story, and it allows Zimmerman to explore some themes that don't often get much treatment in historical fiction set in early America: the role and status of women role in Dutch colonial society, American Indian superstitions and traditions, and the search for the regicides who fled to New England at the time of the Restoration.
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LibraryThing member amanderson
A great historical novel, set in 1660s America in Dutch-owned New Amsterdam in Manhattan Island. It's full of interesting historical details about the politics, violence, and culture of the time, framed around disappearances and murders of orphan children that are occurring in the rough young
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colony. They are attributed to a Native American monster '"witika" (also known as a wendigo), but bold young Dutch she-merchant Blandine and English spy Edward Drummond seek a more human monster responsible for the crimes - if they can survive the volatile times long enough to accomplish their goal. Show Less
LibraryThing member booklovers2
Interesting story of early New Amsterdam (Manhattan) & Colony life. Really enjoyed the details of colonial living and the Dutch influences - The Love Story was a reason to keep reading - Great strong Female Character which you rarely read about for this time period other than an Annie Oakley -
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Blandina was certainly a sophisticated "annie". Did not however enjoy the Witika details, very graphic, upsetting and stomach turning. Hard to imagine that a colonist turned to such horrific activity. A few twists at the end didn't really measure up to believable but overall a good read! Show Less
LibraryThing member joannemonck
Wonderful read as far as the history of old Manhattan, the inhabitants and their rituals. I could have done with a little less brutality when it came to the murders of orphans but I understand the reason for showing how serial killers have always existed. If you enjoy a period mystery (but gory)
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this is the book for you. Show Less
LibraryThing member librarian1204
Historical before all else. Lots of fascinating facts and details from the time and place. Story is there but mired in the history.
Funny the 2 orphan master books coming out at about the same time. Read them both now.
Funny the 2 orphan master books coming out at about the same time. Read them both now.
LibraryThing member InfoQuest
Disclosure note: I received an ARC from the publisher.
In this first novel, Blandine Van Couvering--a young orphan "she-merchant"--and English spy Edward Drummond are drawn into investigating a series of gruesome child-murders in 1660s New Amsterdam. Historical detail vies with the more sensational
Ok, to be quite blunt about it, I did not like this novel. I am not a fan of serial killer thrillers, to start with, and this bears all the disturbing hallmarks of the genre. This is a personal preference, so I can't fault the novel on that account, but it did make the reading experience unpleasant for me. In addition, I am weary of historical novels that require their protagonists to be unusually "enlightened" and modern in almost every aspect of their preferences and philosophies, when that was very unusual, if not unheard of , and in situations where the storyline doesn't demand it. Again, personal preference, but it seems historical novels can (and should?) seek to present somewhat "ordinary" people in their time, so that the reader can inhabit a sympathetic perspective on a world which may be somewhat foreign to us now. The romantic aspect was also a bit along the cookie-cutter line: feisty female despises mysterious older man on sight, but both find themselves drawn together inexplicably, despite their reservations. It's mostly not romance novel in style, but the basic framework and some of their interactions are clearly suggested by this approach.
I did like the little "at this time in history" sections scattered throughout the novel, and it seemed the mileu was well-researched and -drawn. I guess I'm probably just not the audience for this particular book, as overall the things that irked me most are preference-driven rather than a result of poor writing or insufficient research. I'd suggest it for fans of the modern thriller who'd like to try out a historical novel, and for those who like their historical thrillers with an undercurrent of romance.
In this first novel, Blandine Van Couvering--a young orphan "she-merchant"--and English spy Edward Drummond are drawn into investigating a series of gruesome child-murders in 1660s New Amsterdam. Historical detail vies with the more sensational
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form of thriller stylizing in this somewhat unevenly paced story, which includes not only the murders mentioned above, but also tense race relarions, Spinoza-inspired theological speculation, early astronomy, and Native American mythology, to note a few sidelines.Ok, to be quite blunt about it, I did not like this novel. I am not a fan of serial killer thrillers, to start with, and this bears all the disturbing hallmarks of the genre. This is a personal preference, so I can't fault the novel on that account, but it did make the reading experience unpleasant for me. In addition, I am weary of historical novels that require their protagonists to be unusually "enlightened" and modern in almost every aspect of their preferences and philosophies, when that was very unusual, if not unheard of , and in situations where the storyline doesn't demand it. Again, personal preference, but it seems historical novels can (and should?) seek to present somewhat "ordinary" people in their time, so that the reader can inhabit a sympathetic perspective on a world which may be somewhat foreign to us now. The romantic aspect was also a bit along the cookie-cutter line: feisty female despises mysterious older man on sight, but both find themselves drawn together inexplicably, despite their reservations. It's mostly not romance novel in style, but the basic framework and some of their interactions are clearly suggested by this approach.
I did like the little "at this time in history" sections scattered throughout the novel, and it seemed the mileu was well-researched and -drawn. I guess I'm probably just not the audience for this particular book, as overall the things that irked me most are preference-driven rather than a result of poor writing or insufficient research. I'd suggest it for fans of the modern thriller who'd like to try out a historical novel, and for those who like their historical thrillers with an undercurrent of romance.
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LibraryThing member patriciau
I was intrigued from the very first exposure I had to The Orphanmaster by Jean Zimmerman, primarily because I am a New Yorker and totally enamored with the history of my state. That, combined with all the elements I love in a story – mystery, murder, romance – how could I not read this?
I was
The Orphanmaster didn’t grab me right away, however. The first chapter detailing the activities of spies and assassins dispatched across the globe to hunt and murder the men who authorized the execution of Charles I of England, kind of left me cold, but as I read further, it became clear why Zimmerman began the story in this way. Edward Drummond, our hero, is one of those spies and his activities in New Amsterdam and New England are driven by his mission to hunt three regicides who have taken refuge in the New World. It also didn’t hurt that the second chapter contained one of the most frightening scenes I’ve read in a book since Peter Straub’s Ghost Story.
What did immediately capture my attention was the character of Blandine van Couvering, a she-merchant (don’t you love that term?) trader and an orphan who moved easily and confidently through the hard scrabble world of early New York. It is through Blandine that the story gets it red thread – the thing that holds it all together. And what a character! Strong, independent, kind, beautiful (of course), a superb housekeeper, a skilled negotiator – a woman making her way in a man’s world. What I appreciated the most about Zimmerman’s treatment of Blandine were the references to the role of women in early Dutch culture. Blandine was not an anomaly. Under Dutch rule, women were allowed to work, to own property, and to choose their own husbands.
Blandine and Edward find themselves smack in the middle of a rash of child killings and disappearances – all of orphans. Blandine’s mentor, Aet Visser, the Orphanmaster of New Amsterdam, is involved, but we don’t know how deeply until well into the story. Zimmerman draws a vivid picture of a man conflicted as we watch Visser tumble into despair. Add to that several other well-drawn characters – Martyn Hendrickson, the handsome, dashing patroon who cannot be tamed, Kitane, a Lenape trapper afflicted with a horrifying mental illness, and Lightning, a terrifying half-breed – and you have all the elements of a thriller.
There are a number of gruesome scenes in this story that could and should repulse the reader. This is, in an odd way, a 17th century Silence of the Lambs, but Zimmerman uses the horrifying actions of the killers to create a suspenseful, nail-biting story that had me guessing to the end. There are a lot of elements at work here besides the child killings, but all the loose ends are tied up in a frenzied ending that left me wanting more from this author. I was also pleasantly surprised to find Blandine and Edward ending their days in Honeoye, a lovely area quite near where I live.
It’s been awhile since I had trouble putting a book down, so I appreciated the combination of riveting story and skillful telling. Highly recommended.
I was
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not disappointed. At all.The Orphanmaster didn’t grab me right away, however. The first chapter detailing the activities of spies and assassins dispatched across the globe to hunt and murder the men who authorized the execution of Charles I of England, kind of left me cold, but as I read further, it became clear why Zimmerman began the story in this way. Edward Drummond, our hero, is one of those spies and his activities in New Amsterdam and New England are driven by his mission to hunt three regicides who have taken refuge in the New World. It also didn’t hurt that the second chapter contained one of the most frightening scenes I’ve read in a book since Peter Straub’s Ghost Story.
What did immediately capture my attention was the character of Blandine van Couvering, a she-merchant (don’t you love that term?) trader and an orphan who moved easily and confidently through the hard scrabble world of early New York. It is through Blandine that the story gets it red thread – the thing that holds it all together. And what a character! Strong, independent, kind, beautiful (of course), a superb housekeeper, a skilled negotiator – a woman making her way in a man’s world. What I appreciated the most about Zimmerman’s treatment of Blandine were the references to the role of women in early Dutch culture. Blandine was not an anomaly. Under Dutch rule, women were allowed to work, to own property, and to choose their own husbands.
Blandine and Edward find themselves smack in the middle of a rash of child killings and disappearances – all of orphans. Blandine’s mentor, Aet Visser, the Orphanmaster of New Amsterdam, is involved, but we don’t know how deeply until well into the story. Zimmerman draws a vivid picture of a man conflicted as we watch Visser tumble into despair. Add to that several other well-drawn characters – Martyn Hendrickson, the handsome, dashing patroon who cannot be tamed, Kitane, a Lenape trapper afflicted with a horrifying mental illness, and Lightning, a terrifying half-breed – and you have all the elements of a thriller.
There are a number of gruesome scenes in this story that could and should repulse the reader. This is, in an odd way, a 17th century Silence of the Lambs, but Zimmerman uses the horrifying actions of the killers to create a suspenseful, nail-biting story that had me guessing to the end. There are a lot of elements at work here besides the child killings, but all the loose ends are tied up in a frenzied ending that left me wanting more from this author. I was also pleasantly surprised to find Blandine and Edward ending their days in Honeoye, a lovely area quite near where I live.
It’s been awhile since I had trouble putting a book down, so I appreciated the combination of riveting story and skillful telling. Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member RobertaLea
This who done it is not for the faint of heart. One needs a strong constitution and a stronger stomach to get through this book. I don't recommend unless one is a huge fan of historical mysteries. I did enjoy the descriptions of early New Amsterdam.
Pages
432