Golden Hill

I enjoyed Golden Hill by Francis Spufford which is set in mid-18th Century New York.  A young man, Richard Smith, arrives by ship and immediately goes to a "counting house" (equivalent of a bank) run by Mr Lovell,  with a bill for £1,000 which he wants honoured in cash.  He doesn't reveal his purpose and allows some time for Mr Lovell to be convinced of his bona fides.  Mr Smith is almost instantly known throughout the small settlement as a man of considerable wealth but the citizens are puzzled as to his purpose.  He has some hair-raising adventures along the way before he gets his money.  He falls in love and shows his acting skills in a locally produced play.  Finally Smith's identity is revealed and his purpose.  It was a bit slow at first but picks up as we follow Smith's adventures.  The style of writing is "olde-worldly" and well done.  The reader can smell New York and feel the biting cold.  This was Riverbend's Book of the Month for January. 4/5