I very much enjoyed this novel. It is a grad sweeping epic of New York told through several different families down generations. This IS a historical novel first and foremost. Meaning it is less about the people and more about the city itself. The characters are just a mode to tell New York's history in a more entertaining way than a history textbook. That being said, there was always at least one character in each generation that I adored. The best parts of the novel takes place during the Revolutionary War. John and James Masters, father and son with different political views, are extraordinary characters that are driven by their morals along with their view of high class manners.
While I really liked this novel the length killed me. Somewhere in the 600s I wanted to be not reading it, not because I didn't enjoy it but because 800 pages is a long time to be in one novel world.
All in all, a really enjoyable read that I would recommend to anyone who is interested in New York and its history.