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Books matching: new york experience

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  1. #1

    Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann
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    In 'Let the Great World Spin' by Colum McCann, the novel revolves around the lives of various individuals in New York City in 1974, all interconnected by the tightrope walk between the World Trade Center towers. The story captures the pulse of NYC life, describing the diverse characters, their struggles, and their connections to one another, all against the backdrop of a monumental event. The writing style weaves together multiple perspectives, showcasing fully developed and flawed yet likable characters, while delving into the historical time period and culture of life in NYC.

    The book is a series of linked stories that center around troubled characters searching for something, all intersecting in New York City on the day of Philippe Petit's tightrope walk between the Twin Towers. McCann's beautiful writing captures the fragility of life, the delicate balancing act of the tightrope walker, and the complexities of human relationships post-9/11. The novel provides glimpses into different lives, intertwining narratives, and a deep exploration of the experience of New York City in the 1970s.

    Cortlandt. West Street. Fulton. Vesey. It was a silence that heard itself, awful and beautiful. Some thought at first that it must have been a trick of the light, something to do with the weather, an ...

  2. #2

    Evil Eye by Etaf Rum
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    Evil Eye by Etaf Rum is a poignant exploration of Yara, a Palestinian woman living in Brooklyn, who struggles to balance her traditional family values with her desire for independence. The novel delves into themes of cultural identity, depression, and the challenges faced by women in balancing work and family life. Through Yara's journey, the author sensitively navigates the complexities of trauma and prejudice, ultimately leading readers to a profound understanding of the human experience and empathy.

    Yara's story in Evil Eye is a compelling narrative of self-discovery and empowerment as she grapples with the expectations of her conservative upbringing, her aspirations for autonomy, and the realities of her marriage. The book intricately weaves together themes of familial trauma, cultural expectations, and the quest for personal fulfillment, offering a nuanced portrayal of a woman's struggle to reconcile her past with her present circumstances.


  3. #3

    Low Life: Lures and Snares of Old New York by Luc Sante
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    'Low Life: Lures and Snares of Old New York' by Luc Sante is a comprehensive exploration of Manhattan's rich history, focusing on the early immigrant experience, culture, vice, and survival in the first slums. The book delves into the gritty details of the city's underbelly, from the rivaling theater scenes on Broadway and the Bowery to the Chinese opium dens, offering a detailed account of the period from 1840 to 1919. Sante's writing style captures the ghosts of New York's past, bringing them to life through clear prose and fascinating stories, making this book an excellent example of compelling social history.

    LONG, NARROW MANHATTAN ISLAND SITS IN THE BAY, AMONG OTHER ISLANDS, OUTCROPPINGS, FLATLANDS, LIKE A SILHOUETTE OF A RIGHT whale navigating a rocky passage; on the area map, among blank-faced formation...

  4. 'Will Not Attend: Lively Stories of Detachment and Isolation' by Adam Resnick is a collection of darkly humorous and self-deprecating essays that delve into the author's life experiences. The book showcases Resnick's sharp wit and biting humor as he shares stories ranging from his dysfunctional childhood with five brothers to his more recent adult life in New York City. Readers will find themselves engrossed in Resnick's unapologetically egocentric and paranoid perspective on societal norms and human interactions, all while being entertained by his unconventional and hilarious storytelling style.

    There was Patrick Swope’s eighth birthday party, a sleepover at Jeff Kay’s, and a backyard carnival for muscular dystrophy at Tony Geisinger’s—a flurry of affairs over a two-week period that pretty mu...

  5. #5

    I Was Told There'd Be Cake: Essays by Sloane Crosley
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    "I Was Told There'd Be Cake: Essays" by Sloane Crosley is a collection of humorous autobiographical essays that touch on various aspects of the author's life, from growing up with an uncommon name to navigating the challenges of adulthood in New York City. Crosley's writing style is described as witty, insightful, and self-reflective, with stories that often evolve into the absurd or embarrassing moments of everyday life. The essays cover a range of topics, from childhood memories to experiences as a maid of honor, providing a fresh and relatable perspective on modern urban living.

    As most New Yorkers have done, I have given serious and generous thought to the state of my apartment should I get killed during the day. Say someone pushes me onto the subway tracks. Or I get acciden...

  6. #6

    The Sweetest Fix by Tessa Bailey
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    A dancer named Reese, determined to make her dreams come true in NYC, misses a crucial audition but finds hope in the son of the choreographer. Leo, a grumpy yet caring baker, forms an instant connection with Reese, leading to a whirlwind romance filled with misunderstandings and deception. As their relationship blossoms, Reese struggles with the guilt of her hidden agenda, while Leo grapples with his feelings towards someone he sees as more than just a passing fling.

    She swayed those arms behind her, imaging them as peacock feathers, stopping on a dime to drop her knee, hips ticking like a clock, fingers snapping in time to the music. The grand finale was coming. ...

  7. #7

    The Suitcase by Sergei Dovlatov
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    'The Suitcase' by Sergei Dovlatov revolves around the author emigrating from the USSR to New York with only a single suitcase. Each object in the suitcase serves as a trigger for the author to recount a different anecdote, shedding light on his experiences and providing insight into life in the Soviet Union. is structured as a collection of short stories, each based on an item the author brought with him, showcasing a blend of humor, irony, and pathos in depicting the lives of Russians in the 70s and 90s under the Soviet system.

    Dovlatov's writing style in 'The Suitcase' is characterized by its cleverness, humor, and authenticity. The narrative is a combination of comical incidents and underlying pathos, offering a unique and insightful perspective on Soviet Union dysfunction and the lives of its people. is filled with self-deprecating humor and sharp commentary, capturing moments of everyday life under a corrupt system with honesty and wit.

    Since there is such a thing as the exact sciences, there must also be the inexact sciences. It seems to me that first among the inexact sciences is philology. And so I became a student in the philolog...

  8. #8

    The Golem and the Jinni - The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker
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    'The Golem and the Jinni' by Helene Wecker is a tale set in 1899 New York, where a golem and a jinni, two mythical creatures, navigate their way through the challenges of assimilating into human society. The story intricately weaves together the lives of these two characters as they try to find acceptance and understanding in a world where they don't belong, all while exploring themes of fantasy, love, immigrant experiences, and the essence of being human. The writing style is atmospheric, reminiscent of a classic fairy tale, with a slow pace that gradually builds up to a captivating and fantastical climax.

    The Golem’s life began in the hold of a steamship. The year was 1899; the ship was the Baltika, crossing from Danzig to New York. The Golem’s master, a man named Otto Rotfeld, had smuggled her aboard ...

  9. #9

    Netherland by Joseph O'Neill
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    Netherland by Joseph O'Neill is a novel set in New York post 9/11, following the life of Dutch protagonist Hans van den Broek as he navigates a tumultuous period in his marriage and forms an unlikely friendship centered around cricket. The book delves into themes of identity, loneliness, and cultural displacement, with a narrative that shifts between introspective reflections and observations on the city's evolving landscape.

    THE AFTERNOON BEFORE I LEFT LONDON FOR NEW YORK—Rachel had flown out six weeks previously—I was in my cubicle at work, boxing up my possessions, when a senior vice-president at the bank, an Englishman...

  10. #10

    Strength in What Remains by Tracy Kidder
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    Strength in What Remains by Tracy Kidder is a compelling narrative that follows the journey of Deo, a Burundian refugee who escapes the genocide in Rwanda and Burundi. The book delves into the history of Rwanda and Burundi, shedding light on the brutal genocide that took place. Through Deo's story, the reader witnesses his resilience and determination as he navigates through various challenges, from escaping ethnic killers to building a new life in New York City. Tracy Kidder's writing style effectively alternates between flashbacks to Deo's past and his present struggles, creating a gripping and emotional narrative that highlights the strength of the human spirit.

    On the outskirts of the capital, Bujumbura, there is a small international airport. It has a modern terminal with intricate roofs and domed metal structures that resemble astronomical observatories. I...

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