December 18, 2003
Before & After: Stories from
Before & After: Stories from New York
I've only read a few stories so far, but let me just say that this is a great book.
"This is a book of true stories about New York, written, for the most part, by the people for whom the city is the stage set for their lives. Some of the voices to be found in its pages are those of well known writers—Michael Cunningham, Jeannette Winterson, Phillip Lopate, Luc Sante, Megan Daum, Sam Lipsyte, Thomas Beller—and many more are from people who may not even consider themselves writers, but who were tempted by the 'Tell Mr. Beller A Story' button on the critically acclaimed website, mrbellersneighborhood.com, where all these pieces originally appeared. Taken together these essays, reportage, and vignettes are a testament to the vitality, diversity, and complexity of New York City at the turn of the century."
To be honest, I could never really get into reading the stories on the Mr. Beller's Neighborhood Web site. There was something about reading the stories in my dark living room that made me feel a little disconnected from them.
What this book allows you to do is experience the stories where they happened. On a train, in the street, in a cab... the heart of the city. The lady across from you on the W train could very well be the person who made out with her cab driver, or the woman who plays pool in a Tuesday league.
One half of the book is pre-Sept 11th. The other half is post. Well worth the read.
categories:
General
posted by at December 18, 2003 1:19 PM
