Subject
Greenwich Village (New York, N.Y.) -- Fiction Books
Best books
Ann Bannon
Women in the shadows
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Samuel Merwin
The Trufflers: A Story
"The Trufflers: A Story" by Samuel Merwin is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around Peter Ericson Mann, a playwright struggling with creative burnout and increasingly frustrated by the changing landscape of theater represented by modern women and their new roles, including his fascination with a young woman named Sue Wilde. As he navigates both his artistic decline and his tumultuous interactions with Sue, the narrative explores themes of artistic integrity, gender dynamics, and the complexities of modern relationships. At the start of the book, Peter Mann is depicted as a disheartened playwright whose past successes have dwindled into failures. He meets Sue, a spirited young woman with a boyish appearance, who critiques his work and challenges his worldview. Their conversation reveals Peter's anxieties about women and changes in society, while Sue's bold nature captivates him. As they both confront their beliefs about art, relationships, and societal expectations, the tension between traditional values and progressive ideals unfolds, setting the stage for Peter's awakening and the potential conflict with Sue's evolving ambitions within the new artistic environment of New York City.
Francis Hopkinson Smith
Enoch Crane
"Enoch Crane" by Francis Hopkinson Smith and F. Berkeley Smith is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story introduces readers to various characters living in a boarding house in New York City, particularly focusing on the titular character, Enoch Crane, an old gentleman with a crusty exterior but admirable values. The narrative explores themes of societal interactions, love, ambition, and the complexities of human relationships. At the start of the novel, readers meet Joe Grimsby, a vibrant young architect moving into an apartment, who quickly becomes absorbed by the charming new tenant, Sue Ford, and her family. Their arrival sparks interactions among various house residents, including the wise old Enoch Crane and the outgoing Ebner Ford, Sue's stepfather, who is characterized as loud and opportunistic. Through these early interactions, tensions escalate, particularly between Joe's earnest pursuit of a relationship with Sue and the contrasting influences of her stepfather's brashness. The opening part sets an engaging stage for a blend of romance and drama, providing insights into the characters' social dynamics and establishing the groundwork for the unfolding narrative.
Fritz Leiber
Pipe Dream
"Pipe Dream" by Fritz Leiber is a short novel written in the late 1950s that explores themes of reality, desire, and surrealism through a blend of science fiction and fantasy. The plot revolves around Simon Grue, an artist living in Greenwich Village who becomes fascinated by the enigmatic Russian family next door and their strange activities, particularly involving a curious transformation concerning their sister, Grushenka. The narrative delves into Simon's encounter with a peculiar mermaid-like creature and its intriguing connection to Grushenka, which ultimately leads him into a chaotic intersection of various personalities and a whirlwind of bizarre events. The storyline follows Simon as he retrieves a tiny creature resembling a mermaid from his bathtub, discovering it has a striking resemblance to Grushenka, the sister of the Stulnikov-Gurevich family. As Simon investigates the bizarre happenings of the Russians—who are conducting secretive experiments involving the creation of aquatic beings—he becomes entangled in their plans, which involve using Grushenka's egg to produce a series of strange, dream-inducing entities in the hopes of capitalizing on their unique properties. The plot escalates with a whimsical and chaotic twist when a storm unleashes a series of supernatural events, culminating in an emotional climax and an unexpected resolution that leaves Simon questioning the boundaries between dreams and reality.
Ray Cummings
An Art Shop in Greenwich Village
"An Art Shop in Greenwich Village" by Ray Cummings is a short fiction story written in the early 20th century. This work explores the mysterious and sinister world of an art shop in Greenwich Village, where the protagonist encounters an old man with questionable artistic intentions. The primary topic revolves around the boundaries of art, creativity, and the moral implications of using life as a source for creating art. The narrative unfolds as the main character visits a dimly lit art shop, captivated by the peculiar and unsettling ambiance. He engages the decrepit shopkeeper, who entices him with tales of a mysterious painter named Pedro Vasquez y Carbajál. As the protagonist is led deeper into the old man's world, he uncovers the horrifying reality that the painter uses the life essence of a young girl, Malella, to create a painting. This revelation leads to a tense confrontation, where the protagonist recognizes his duty to protect Malella from the exploitative nature of the old painter, culminating in a dramatic escape that emphasizes themes of rescue and moral responsibility.
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