HF Virtual Book Tours Reviews and Giveaway: Through a Dusty Window: New York City Stories 1910-2001 by Delancey Stewart

Title: Through a Dusty Window: New York City Stories 1910-2001
Author: Delancey Stewart
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Self-published
Publish Date: November 15, 2012
Source: HF Virtual Book Tours

Why You're Reading This Book:

• You're a historical fiction fan.
• You like short stories.

What's the Story?:

From Goodreads.com: "New York City is a place full of whispers and ghosts. It is impossible to walk the sidewalks there without considering the lives and paths of those who walked them before; those who left their imprints – visible and hidden – on everything that makes up the city today. Through a Dusty Window is a collection of ten short stories spanning a century between 1910 and 2001, all of which take place in the same Upper West Side brownstone apartment. Through each vignette, readers are given perspective on historical events that deeply influenced the city, filtered and understood – or misunderstood – through the eyes of Stewart’s characters. From Prohibition to World War II; the Vietnam-era Summer of Sam killings to John Lennon’s murder – Stewart’s stories give modern day explorers a chance to see the city as it was, and to answer the question: who was here before me?"

My Two Cents:

"Through a Dusty Window" is a short story collection set through various decades in one New York City apartment. It is definitely a fascinating idea for a set of stories. My house was built over 100 years ago and my husband and I have had several conversations about who might have lived in our house before us. You wonder what they were like and what the town was like at the time that they lived here. I really wish that we had a better history of our house but I digress... I really loved the premise behind this book.

All of the stories in this book are in chronological order. Being a historical fiction lover, I really liked the stories towards the beginning of the book. The one that takes place in 1910 (which has to do with the different classes of people of the day) and the one that takes place in the 1940s (which has to do with World War II). The 1990s story was the only one that I really did not care for. It's very different than the other stories and has to do with some of the excesses in life. It just didn't resonate with me very much.

Each story is unique and has a new set of characters. Although these are short stories, this book is chock full of memorable characters. Stewart knows how to make you fall for the characters quickly!

Bottom line: If you are looking for a short story collection with interesting characters, this book is for you!

Follow the Rest of the Tour:


Monday, April 1
Review & Giveaway at The Maiden’s Court
Tuesday, April 2
Review at Oh, for the Hook of a Book!
Review & Giveaway at Peeking Between the Pages
Wednesday, April 3
Review & Giveaway at The Bookworm
Interview & Giveaway at Oh, for the Hook of a Book!
Thursday, April 4
Guest Post at Jenny Loves to Read
Feature & Giveaway at Passages to the Past
Friday, April 5
Review at Ageless Pages Reviews
Review & Giveaway at A Bookish Affair
Monday, April 8
Guest Post at Broken Teepee

Giveaway:

Today, I'm excited to be able to give away a copy  of Through a Dusty Window to one lucky winner (US only)
  a Rafflecopter giveaway