Reading Taylor Caldwell’s novels is like wading through a daisy field of land mines - the beauty of life destroyed by one explosive revelation after another. Perhaps it is all fiction, but so close to the truth it shatters one’s illusions and reveals the harsh realities of life. Nothing is simple about Caldwell’s writing, and "The Strong City" is no exception.

Published in 1942, this lengthy saga takes place in Pennsylvania in the late 1800s and spans almost two decades in an era where a typical lifespan was a mere 40 years. It is the story of the son of German immigrants, Franz Stoessel. Living in poverty in the slums of Nazareth PA, with his aging parents Franz gets a job at the local steel mill and is determined to become rich and powerful. He is willing to do whatever it takes to succeed - no morals, no scruples, no integrity. With that approach, how could he fail?

Taylor Caldwell is a gifted story teller. She paints a vivid picture and leaves nothing to the imagination. Her character development is extraordinary. As each character enters a scene their psyche is laid naked - the reader learns of their physical appearance, down to the simplest detail of facial expressions, and more importantly, their deepest personal thoughts. She analyzes human behavior - the character’s motivations, fears, self defense mechanisms, methods of envious retaliation, sly hypocrisy, brutal force, and the effects of love and faith. Each character has a complex personality - just like in real life. Every emotion of each character is explored in full depth.

The story does not touch on German history, but many of the characters are 1st and 2nd generation immigrants - a mix of French, English, and German. The turmoil taking place in Germany and adjoining countries which caused many people to leave Europe obviously left a bitter taste. They came to America for a better life, and with open contempt and prejudice they stereotyped others, many times in a cruel negative way, expressing animosity, mis-trust, and hatred for each other. Even within the German immigrant community - the Bavarian and Saxony Germans had little regard for the Prussian Germans. Taylor Caldwell puts all this emotion into the plot through dialogue, and revealing the character’s most harsh personal thoughts. No author would dare write this way today.

"The Strong City" might have been rated a 5 Star book, but I could not bring myself to believe the extent of evil portrayed in so many of the characters was a representation of real life. Taylor Caldwell certainly saw the worst in mankind and expressed that throughout the story. She viewed all her characters with cynicism, leading them, body and soul, through a treacherous labyrinth to a depressing and disturbing conclusion.

Rated 4 Stars August 2023 ( )