Present Epithetical Books The Coffee Trader
| Title | : | The Coffee Trader |
| Author | : | David Liss |
| Book Format | : | Paperback |
| Book Edition | : | Deluxe Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 384 pages |
| Published | : | February 3rd 2004 by Ballantine Books (first published March 4th 2003) |
| Categories | : | Historical. Historical Fiction. Fiction. Mystery |
David Liss
Paperback | Pages: 384 pages Rating: 3.74 | 7659 Users | 807 Reviews
Commentary To Books The Coffee Trader
The Edgar Award–winning novel A Conspiracy of Paper was one of the most acclaimed debuts of 2000. In his richly suspenseful second novel, author David Liss once again travels back in time to a crucial moment in cultural and financial history. His destination: Amsterdam, 1659 — a mysterious world of trade populated by schemers and rogues, where deception rules the day. On the world’s first commodities exchange, fortunes are won and lost in an instant. Miguel Lienzo, a sharp-witted trader in the city's close-knit community of Portuguese Jews, knows this only too well. Once among the city’s most envied merchants, Miguel has lost everything in a sudden shift in the sugar markets. Now, impoverished and humiliated, living on the charity of his petty younger brother, Miguel must find a way to restore his wealth and reputation. Miguel enters into a partnership with a seductive Dutchwoman who offers him one last chance at success — a daring plot to corner the market of an astonishing new commodity called "coffee." To succeed, Miguel must risk everything he values and test the limits of his commercial guile, facing not only the chaos of the markets and the greed of his competitors, but also a powerful enemy who will stop at nothing to see him ruined. Miguel will learn that among Amsterdam’s ruthless businessmen, betrayal lurks everywhere, and even friends hide secret agendas. With humor, imagination, and mystery, David Liss depicts a world of subterfuge, danger, and repressed longing, where religious and cultural traditions clash with the demands of a new and exciting way of doing business. Readers of historical suspense and lovers of coffee (even decaf) will be up all night with this beguiling novel.
Declare Books Concering The Coffee Trader
| Original Title: | The Coffee Trader |
| ISBN: | 0375760903 (ISBN13: 9780375760907) |
| Edition Language: | English |
| Setting: | Amsterdam,1659(Netherlands) |
Rating Epithetical Books The Coffee Trader
Ratings: 3.74 From 7659 Users | 807 ReviewsWeigh Up Epithetical Books The Coffee Trader
"The Coffee Trader" takes place in 17th century Amsterdam, at the dawn of the coffee trade in Europe. The setting and characters are so well developed that you even find yourself rooting for some downright duplicitous folks. And the best part is that the story worked on me like coffee. I would lie down tired and once I started reading, I was wide awake. This was a clever, no brilliant, page-turner, and it was just what I needed after reading so much mediocre stuff (unintentionally, of course). ISurprising depth and very entertaining. The complexity of the group dynamics and of what was undoubtedly a well researched book was impressive. Liss creates a setting wherein he draws the reader and his sometimes complicated characterizations are spot on and approachable. Set in 17th century Amsterdam, this is also a fascinating historical fiction and the author crafts for the reader a time and place of exceptional detail. We also see the distinctions drawn between various cultures and religions
It wasn't great. It wasn't terrible. If you find you want to read this book, I won't stop you but I will warn you there are other books out there. Books that are probably more deserving of your time. The characters in this book were blah. They were just there because a story requires people. I didn't care what happened to them. They could have all tragically died at the end and I don't think it would have really bothered me. What did save this book was the obvious knowledge the author has of
Multiply the business plotting of "Mad Men" by 10, put it into a Vermeer painting, take away the brandy snifters at working lunches and insert a mysteriously alluring brew called "coffee,"--and voila, you have the beginning scenes to a masterpiece stock exchange mystery set in Amsterdam in the 1600s. If you have read the Benjamin Weaver series by David Liss, this book predates those London hijinks--showcasing his father's fortunes as a Portuguese Jewish trader exiled by the Inquisition. Miguel
The first time that I read this book, I didn't make it past page 20. But when I picked it up last year, I found myself sitting up late at night to find out what would happen next in a tricky world of coffee, dutch merchants, money, and a string of half-truths. Recommended for anyone who wants their historical fiction to be a real challenge -- in a good way. For a more complete review, please go here:http://www.bubblews.com/news/4281063-...
Sometimes I'm wrong about a book though I hate to admit it. I was almost 100 pages into The Coffee Trader and moaning that I wasn't enjoying the read but had to finish it as it was a book group choice. I knuckled down finally and was pleasantly surprised when very quickly the story just popped off the pages. When all was said and done I thoroughly relished the book, even going back to re-read parts of the beginning. I honestly think what threw me is that The Coffee Trader is about commodity
The first third of this book was interesting, but then it got bogged down with the daily life of the main character and his financial debts. I found myself skimming it, then decided to abandon it just past the half-way mark. Perhaps the pace picks up later, but I'm not interested enough to stick around and find out.
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