"The city is going to burn because its time is over."
I, like many of you, may have recently seen the trailer for the upcoming film Winter's Tale and felt an instant desire to read the novel that the story is based on. I was surprised to see that it was written in the 80's but nonetheless, I was thrilled to get started reading it before I go to see the film.
I don't know if you would consider this a spoiler but I have to say that the novel was really not at all what I was expecting. From the trailer alone I get the sense of this love story that seems so epic in nature that it is able to stop time. However, the actual story is so much more complex and deep than that.
"And you will know exactly who you are, forever, by knowing what it is that you love."
You are introduced to a number of different characters, some from the beginning of the 1900's and then some from the soon turn of the century (the novel is based in the future of 1999 from when it was written in the 80's.) Each character is significant because they have a purpose, and most of all, their purpose is how they ultimately change or impact the upcoming events within the city of New York City.
New York City is at the core of the novel because the city itself is what forces each character's actions and decisions. Helprin is constantly describing in detail the life of the city and its impact on the people who attempt to survive within it. It is both dark and light, both corrupt and pure. He pays special attention to the colors of the city which I found the most beautiful in his writing. The colors have such an effect on how you feel or visualize the scene he is describing to you and it makes it so easy to place yourself within the moment.
"We learn that justice may not always follow a just act, that justice can sleep for years and awaken when it is least expected, that a miracle is nothing more than dormant justice from another time arriving to compensate those it has cruelly abandoned."
I had originally believed that I was going to be reading this great love story. The truth is the story is truly based on how love builds this bridge to harmony and peace. It allows life to rebuild and sustain even in its darkest and most terrifying moments. This love is infinite and continues to pass from one person to another. Each person makes sacrifices that impacts those around them so much that it is impossible for them to not continue to pass it on. And most interesting is the crossover in time. Peter Lake and others have found this time loop in which they re enter NYC almost 100 years later. Their purpose has not been completed and they are then needed in order to pursue justice in the city either by contributing positively or to keep the balance between depravity and righteousness.
"He knew that, in the eyes of God, all things are interlinked; he knew that justice does indeed spring in great surprise from the acts and consequences of ages long forgotten; and he knew that love is not broken by time."
This was the true underlining meaning of this story. The city is able to live and thrive due to those who care enough to help it and help each other. You ultimately see many of these characters as angels on earth, though some might seem really unlikely because they have been corrupt in their past. Their love redeems them.
It is a beautifully descriptive story. The length might be intimidating for some but I would argue that it is completely worth it. I'm fascinated to see the movie to compare from the novel.
If you'd like to see the trailer check it out here!
