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The Fortress of Solitude

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( 24,088 ratings, 1,621 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 Fortress of Solitude by Jonathan Lethem follows the lives of two friends, Dylan Ebdus and Mingus Rude, growing up in a diverse Brooklyn neighbourhood during the 1970s and 1980s. Their friendship is shaped by music, comic books, and their shared passion for creativity, against a backdrop of urban decay and racial tension. As they grow, their paths diverge, testing the bonds of their friendship and exploring the complexities of identity and belonging.
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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?

You might enjoy this novel if you're captivated by tales of friendship and urban life, especially if you're interested in stories set against a backdrop of cultural and social change in 1970s Brooklyn. The narrative blends elements of coming-of-age drama, magic realism, and superhero mythology, making it a compelling read for those who appreciate a mix of literary fiction with a touch of the fantastical.

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The Fortress of Solitude

From the funked-up, messed-up Brookyn of the 1970s to the present day, this stunning novel spans thirty years in the life of two best friends, Dylan and Mingus, their families and an entire neighbourhood.

The Fortress of Solitude by Jonathan Lethem is the story of what would happen if two teenaged boys obsessed with comic books heroes actually had superpowers: they would screw up their lives.

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 the funked-up, messed-up Brooklyn of the 1970s to the present day, this stunning novel spans thirty years in the life of two best friends, Dylan and Mingus, their families, and an entire neighbourhood.

From their stories come the history of soul music, of graffiti art, of comic books, of experimented film and 'rock writing'.

With a cast of more than a hundred characters and more than fifty speaking parts, this is a touching and intimate novel of an epic scale.

The Fortress of Solitude is a masterful depiction of a bygone era and the lives intertwined within it.

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 Fortress of Solitude by Jonathan Lethem has been praised for its vivid depiction of New York City, with some considering it a must-read, capturing the essence of the city over the past decade or so. It's described as a compelling novel that feels necessary, merging a dynamic narrative pace with a unique storytelling style akin to cinematic masters like Scorsese or Spike Lee.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780571219353

Publisher: Faber & Faber

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 06 January 2005

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Faber & Faber

Edition: Main

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 31.0mm

Width: 126.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 405g

Pages: 528

About the Author

Jonathan Lethem was born in New York and attended Bennington College. He is the author of the novels Gun, with Occasional Music, Amnesia Moon, As She Climbed Across the Table, Girl in Landscape and Motherless Brooklyn, as well as a collection of stories, The Wall of the Sky, the Wall of the Eye. Film rights for Amnesia Moon have been bought by David Lynch, whilst Edward Norton has bought the rights for Motherless Brooklyn. Lethem was described by Newsweek as one of its '100 People for the New Century'. Jonathan Lethem currently lives in Brooklyn, New York.

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