Forever: A Novel

One of my all time favorite books!!! So interesting and well told also Pete writes about NYC like no one else Ive ever read. Very odd that similar series were made that were so obviously derived from this book (Forever and New Amsterdam) and I believe (not totally sure) the court ruled that they were not similar enough to the book to grant Mr. Hamill credit and/or compensation. WHAT!!! who was that judge, the judge obviously never read the book...geez!!! CRAZY!! Cause anyone who read the book and watched the shows (both good by the way) can tell they were taken from his story...its so obvious!!! Anyway, I digress, this book is amazing!

This is one of the most interesting books I have ever read about New York City and also about Irish Mythology. I came across this book quite by accident, although I had read Hamill's novel "North River," and I knew he had a wealth of knowledge about the history of New York City--where I spent my younger years and believe that it is the greatest city on the face of the earth (with Paris a close second). The plot itself was well woven and begins in northern Ireland in the eighteenth century. It has a bit of magic about it, but not so much that you would really classify this as a fantasy. The protagonist finds himself in Manhattan before the revolutionary war and is subject to a spell (again the magic) that allows him to live forever as long as he does not leave Manhattan. He is also charged with avenging a death that takes place early in the novel. During his "quest" he watches Manhattan grow into the city that it is in the twenty first century. Toward the end of the novel, as he gets ready to take his revenge on the descendent of the nobleman who wronged him early in the book, some interesting twists develop. He becomes involved with a Dominican woman through whose eyes we are also introduced to the mythology of the Caribbean Isles. The characters in the book include a range of historical figures from George Washington to Boss Tweed--the latter of which gets the most sympathetic treatment I've ever read. The novel has a great ending those who have enjoyed the bulk of the book should be greatly pleased by it. Hamill is a great writer and has a wealth of knowledge about the history of New York and Irish Mythology. Not only did I enjoy the plot development (Hamill's a master at this) but I learned quite a bit of interesting facts in the reading. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good novel and would like to get some historical education in the process.

I find that when you finish any great book there is a felling of sadness.The story has ended.You know you can read a book 5 more times but you can never read it again for the first time.This is how I fell today about Peter Hamills FOREVER.Enriched by the reading and sad because there is not another chapter, not another adventure into a "new" area of my beloved New York CityI will miss Cormac and his never ending Manhattan life.I will gift this book to others. I must. it is too good to keep to myself.THANKYOU Mr. HAMILL

This was picked for my book club. I read about 100 pages and had to ask a fellow club member if I was reading the wrong book. The book was way too long and very boring. I finally skipped pages just trying finish Forever. After reading more than 200 pages, I still have no idea how/why Cormac gains eternal life. I was all set to settle in with a fantasy book like the wonderful “ The Invisible Life of Addie Larue” but instead found the book to be a never ending social commentary and the continual bashing of certain people and totally glorifying others. I just can’t take it anymore. I don’t think forever is enough time to get thru this mess of a boring book. Maybe my other club members( who by the way are struggling as well) can tell me how Cormac comes to his over and over life. I wasted $9.99 but even worse, I wasted a lot of time. I hate to bash a book but……this one deserves it.

Lots of people write really wonderful reviews. I don't really have the time or talent for that, so I'll try to give you a simple one.If you love stories about New York City, and particularly New York City history, this book is for you. Cormac is a young Irishman born in the 1700's. There are lots of reasons for him to hate the English, and one Englishman in particular. Seeking revenge on this man, our hero follows him to the colonies, where an unusual event leads to immortality for Cormac...so long as he doesn't leave the island of Manhattan. Of course, immortality turns out to be both a blessing and a curse, but what Cormac chooses to do with his time is fascinating, as are the intersections between events in his life, and historical events in the city of New York. Author Hammill gives voice to various cultures in his descriptions of the ultimate melting pot, and Cormac's friends and lovers are a diverse lot you'll enjoy meeting while absorbing the actual history of one of the world's greatest cities.

The first 200 pages were compelling--great character development and interesting story/history. The next 200 pages were like the middle film of a trilogy (necessary to get us to the ending, but not very good). The final 200 pages were good, though far too repetitive in reminding us of the main character's longevity. Unfortunately, the ending was disappointing as, in a moment (SPOILER ALERT), it turned into a sappy love story. I generally enjoyed it until the end, though it could easily have been 100+ shorter by not beating us over the head with Cormac's history. The writing is great so I gave it an extra star, but the author should have edited himself.

Terrific premise. As a huge fan of "the immortal man" motif, I truly enjoyed Mr. Hamill's addition to the genre. His is particularly intriguing as the hero is trapped in a single locale, the bold, beautiful borough of Manhattan. I would have liked to have less of the first half of the book for another epoch described, but others would tell you it's what drew them in. Mr. Hamill's writing needs no critique from me; if you've never read one of his articles or other novels, then stop reading this and buy this book. It will be the first of many with his name in your bookshelf.

Great book though it did take me a while to get into it, as the writing is far better than normal books I readI am so thankful that I persisted as I loved the character and the adventure through his lives It would be a great tv series.Would definitely recommend.

I've just finished reading this amazing book. I loved it and can't praise it enough. It's got to be one of the best books I've ever read and I've read quite a few. In answer to the person who said after 100 pages they couldn't get into into it, my reply would be give it a little bit more than that. It may start a little slow but believe me becomes a book that you won't be able to put down and will stay with you. Well worth reading,

Great

This is different than anything I've read before, I think.The story starts out so good. There's Irish folklore, history, Celtic myths & magic. It blends so well and all the pieces work and fit together for a magical time.At first, we share Cormac's adventures, living them at the time he lives them. But somewhere in the middle of the book the focus shifts; Cormac is in present time and he looks back on memory for the time we missed. The story becomes too removed at that point and it's hard to get invested in his memories.All in all, a good story. A bit unfocussed and a bit jumpy at times, though.

Weltweit gefeiert erlebt man in diesem Beststeller von Cormac O'Connor die Geschichte eines außergewöhnlichen Mannes. 1740 kommt er nach New York und bleibt für immer. Solange er Manhattan nicht verlässt, ist er unsterblich. Er sieht die Stadt von der Wildnis zur Metropole wachsen und entschlüsselt die versteckten Geheimnisse wie Gier, Rassismus etc. Das Buch lebt aber auch von der Hoffnung. Leseempfehlung.