Subject
New York (N.Y.) -- Fiction Books
Best books
Alfred Henry Lewis
The Boss, and How He Came to Rule New York
"The Boss, and How He Came to Rule New York" by Alfred Henry Lewis is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The book tells the story of a man's rise to power within the political machine of Tammany Hall, focusing on the character of Big John Kennedy, his influence in New York politics, and the unique dynamics of the time. The memoirs aim to provide an insider's view of the corrupt yet vibrant world of political machinations in New York City. The opening of the book introduces us to the narrator's humble beginnings as the son of a blacksmith who immigrated from Ireland. It describes the family's arrival in America, their struggles to adapt to a new life, and the narrator's wild youth that is somewhat tempered by the caring influence of his older sister, Anne. As he reflects on his early life, the narrator recounts incidents that foreshadow his future encounters with the world of politics, including a confrontation with a corrupt hotel runner and his first encounter with Tammany Hall's powerful figures. These experiences shape his understanding of power, loyalty, and the harsh realities of urban life, ultimately setting the stage for his entrance into the political arena.
Herman Melville
Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall-Street
"Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall-Street" by Herman Melville is a short story first published in 1853. A Wall Street lawyer hires a new copying clerk named Bartleby, who initially works diligently but soon begins refusing all tasks with the phrase "I would prefer not to." As Bartleby's passive resistance intensifies, the baffled narrator struggles to understand his enigmatic employee. This darkly compelling tale explores isolation, compassion, and the mystery of human behavior in an increasingly impersonal world.
Edith Wharton
The Age of Innocence
"The Age of Innocence" by Edith Wharton is a novel published in 1920. Set in 1870s upper-class New York society, it follows Newland Archer, a gentleman lawyer preparing to marry the beautiful but sheltered May Welland. His secure world shifts when May's unconventional cousin, Countess Ellen Olenska, arrives from Europe, fleeing a scandalous marriage. As Newland grows fascinated by Ellen's bold defiance of social rules, he faces an agonizing choice between duty and desire in a world where appearances matter more than truth.
Kathleen Thompson Norris
Martie, the Unconquered
"Martie, the Unconquered" by Kathleen Thompson Norris is a novel likely written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around Martie Monroe, a young woman living in Monroe, California. The opening chapters introduce Martie's friendships, her complicated feelings about social class, and her yearning for independence and self-expression amid the restrictions imposed by her family and society. At the start of the novel, readers meet Martie and her friends as they navigate their small-town world, poised between youthful exuberance and the societal expectations that seek to confine them. Martie grapples with jealousy and longing, especially in relation to her more affluent friend Rose and a charming young man named Rodney Parker. Through her interactions with friends and family, Martie's desire for something more—love, ambition, and freedom—begins to emerge, hinting at the larger battles she will face in her quest for self-discovery and fulfillment. The early narrative sets the stage for a deeper exploration of these themes as Martie strives to assert her identity in a rapidly changing world.
F. Scott (Francis Scott) Fitzgerald
The Beautiful and Damned
"The Beautiful and Damned" by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a novel published in 1922. Set in Jazz Age New York, it follows young heir Anthony Patch and his beautiful flapper wife Gloria Gilbert as they pursue a life of parties and excess. Their vow to live without regret and seek happiness at any cost soon tests their marriage as infatuation fades and selfish attitudes collide. While awaiting Anthony's inheritance, the couple descends into hedonism and cynicism, facing consequences that threaten to destroy everything they once were.
Edith Wharton
The House of Mirth
"The House of Mirth" by Edith Wharton is a novel published in 1905. It follows Lily Bart, a beautiful but impoverished woman navigating New York City's high society in the 1890s. As twenty-nine-year-old Lily seeks a husband to secure her future, she faces a slow two-year social descent from privilege toward the margins of society. Wharton crafts a sharp tragedy that exposes the moral corruption of an irresponsible upper class that casually destroys what is most beautiful within it.
Theodore Dreiser
Sister Carrie: A Novel
"Sister Carrie: A Novel" by Theodore Dreiser is a novel published in 1900. It follows eighteen-year-old Caroline Meeber, who leaves small-town Wisconsin for Chicago seeking a better life. In the big city, she becomes involved with two men—a charming salesman and a married bar manager—while discovering her talent for acting. As Carrie rises toward fame and fortune, those around her face vastly different fates. The novel explores ambition, desire, and the pursuit of the American Dream in urban America.
Sewell Ford
Shorty McCabe on the Job
"Shorty McCabe on the Job" by Sewell Ford is a novel written in the early 20th century. The book follows the character Professor Shorty McCabe as he navigates a series of humorous yet engaging adventures tied to his role as an executor of a will filled with unconventional tasks. With a focus on kindness and reparations, the story explores the dynamics of human relationships and the complexities of past grievances through McCabe's interactions with other characters. The opening of the novel introduces us to Shorty McCabe, who is busy training in a boxing gym when he is interrupted by a visitor, J. Bayard Steele. Steele seeks McCabe's advice regarding a meeting with a lawyer concerning the estate of the late Pyramid Gordon. The two have an exchange that reveals Steele’s dubious character and sets the stage for their joint mission: to carry out acts of kindness financed by Gordon's will, which ironically connects them to the people harmed during Gordon's life. This sets up a plot that intertwines themes of justice, redemption, and comedy, while providing a glimpse into both McCabe's unwavering demeanor and the eccentricity of Steele.
Fannie Hurst
Just Around the Corner: Romance en casserole
"Just Around the Corner: Romance en casserole" by Fannie Hurst is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around the lives of characters intertwined in the bustling atmosphere of urban life, focusing particularly on themes of romance and personal aspirations. Gertrude Sprunt is introduced as one of the central characters, working in a hotel as a manicurist, and her interactions with various male suitors hint at her desire for a deeper connection amidst the chaos of city life. The opening of the novel provides a vibrant glimpse into the world of Gertrude and her colleagues, highlighting their dynamics and their encounters with customers at the Knockerbeck Hotel. The narrative introduces us to Gertrude's professional life and her flirtations with two different men—Mr. Barker, a boisterous, wealthy suitor, and Mr. Chase, a more reserved but intriguing character. As she navigates these relationships, the chapter sets the stage for exploring Gertrude's evolving emotional landscape, filled with hope and uncertainty about her future as her heart begins to sway in different directions.
Robert W. (Robert William) Chambers
The Green Mouse
"The Green Mouse" by Robert W. Chambers is a novel written during the early 20th century. The story introduces a young man forced to confront his privileged yet idle life after facing financial ruin. He grapples with his lack of practical skills and contemplates a career as a magician, leveraging his unusual talents to entertain others. The narrative begins to develop his relationship with a young artist who shares a complex bond with him as they both navigate their personal struggles. At the start of the novel, readers meet a disheartened young man reeling from his family's financial collapse and his own failure to secure a stable future. Apathetic about work and life choices, he begins to consider using his talent for magic as a profession despite not being sure of its acceptance in society. This phase of his life is marked by a chance encounter with a spirited girl in Central Park, leading to a tense moment when she loses control of her horse. Their interaction ignites an immediate but complicated connection as they become intertwined in each other's lives. As the opening progresses, the groundwork is laid for both a comedic and romantic narrative, where themes of financial struggle, aspiration, and serendipity intertwine, setting the tone for their evolving relationship.
Ann Bannon
I am a woman
"I Am a Woman" by Ann Bannon is a lesbian pulp fiction novel written in 1959. Laura Landon flees her harsh father and college failure to start fresh in New York City's Greenwich Village. Living with vivacious roommate Marcie, Laura discovers unexpected feelings and navigates the underground gay bar scene with new friends Jack and Beebo Brinker. As attraction, longing, and self-discovery collide, Laura must confront the truth about herself, her relationships, and her painful past in this groundbreaking story.
Stephen Crane
Maggie: A Girl of the Streets
"Maggie: A Girl of the Streets" by Stephen Crane is a novella published in 1893. Set in New York's Bowery district, it follows young Maggie Johnson as she struggles to escape grinding poverty and her brutal, alcoholic family. When a seemingly refined bartender named Pete offers hope for a better life, Maggie pursues the relationship—only to face abandonment and condemnation from those around her. This stark work of literary realism explores determinism, hypocrisy, and the inescapable cycle of urban poverty.
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