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The Street

By Ann Petry
Series: Virago Modern Classics
0.0 (0 reviews)
4.27 goodreads logo

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Check link for latest rating. ( 13,077 ratings, 1,666 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Street by Ann Petry is set in 1940s Harlem and follows the life of Lutie Johnson, a determined African American woman striving to find opportunity and security for herself and her son. Battling against the oppressive forces of racism and sexism, Lutie's journey paints a vivid picture of the struggles faced by those trying to escape the socioeconomic traps of urban life. The novel explores themes of survival, ambition, and the harsh realities of a racially stratified society.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you're interested in powerful stories about resilience and survival in mid-20th century Harlem. The narrative intricately explores the social and racial challenges faced by African American characters, offering a gripping and poignant perspective on urban life. Its social commentary and rich character development might captivate those who appreciate deeply emotional and thought-provoking literature.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

This gripping novel from 1946 is prescient and powerful; it is as relevant today as it was when first published.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
FROM A BESTSELLING AUTHOR With a new introduction by Tayari Jones, author of An American Marriage 'The prose is clear, the plot is page-turning, the characters are utterly believable' — Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie 'The first book by a black woman to sell more than a million copies' — New York Times 'My favourite type of novel, literary with an astonishing plot' — Tayari Jones

The Street is set in New York City during the 1940s. In a crumbling tenement in Harlem, Lutie Johnson is determined to build a new life for herself and her eight-year-old boy, Bub—a life that she can be proud of.

Having left her unreliable husband, Lutie believes that with hard work and resolve, she can begin again; she has faith in the American dream. But in her struggle to earn money and raise her son amid the violence, poverty, and racial dissonance of her surroundings, Lutie is soon trapped: she is a woman alone, 'too good-looking to be decent', with predators at every turn.

Series: Virago Modern Classics

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Street by Ann Petry is a celebrated novel that delves into themes of racism, sexism, and classism, reflecting issues still prevalent today. Critics highlight its power as a work of social criticism and praise its enduring impact due to both its message and artistry. The novel's compelling plot and richly developed characters showcase Petry's unique talents, earning it recognition as a significant literary event since its release.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780349012933

Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 17 December 2019

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Virago Press Ltd

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 32.0mm

Width: 126.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 320g

Pages: 416

Collections

Ann Petry Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction Series: Virago Modern Classics

About the Author

Ann Petry (1908-1997), novelist and writer of short stories and books for young people, was one of America's most distinguished authors. Her first published story appeared in 1943 in the Crisis. She then began on her first novel, The Street, which was published in 1946 and for which she received the Houghton Mifflin Literary Fellowship. Petry wrote two more novels, The Country Place and The Narrows, and numerous short stories, articles and children's books.

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  • The Street
    From the time she was born, she had been hemmed into an ever-narrowing space, until now she was very nearly walled in... New York City, 1940s. In a crumbling tenement in Harlem, Lutie Johnson is determined to build a new life for herself and her eight-year-old boy, Bub. Having left her unreliable husband, Lutie believes that with hard work and...
    By Ann Petry
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