The Street

By Ann Petry

Book Overview

WITH A NEW INTRODUCTION FROM NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLING AUTHOR TAYARI JONES

"How can a novel's social criticism be so unflinching and clear, yet its plot moves like a house on fire? I am tempted to describe Petry as a magician for the many ways that The Street amazes, but this description cheapens her talent... Petry is a gifted artist." -- Tayari Jones, from the Introduction

The Street follows the spirited Lutie Johnson, a newly single mother whose efforts to claim a share of the American Dream for herself and her young son meet frustration at every turn in 1940s Harlem. Opening a fresh perspective on the realities and challenges of black, female, working-class life, this classic American novel became the first novel by an African American woman to sell more than a million copies.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0358187540
• ISBN13: 9780358187547
• Release Date: January 2020
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 5.2" x 8.0"
• Age Range: 14 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 9 and higher

Customer Reviews

captivating storyline

Loved it!!! The characters, the plot, it felt real and relatable and was a quick read. So glad that I bought this book!

She did that!

All I have to say is this one sentence that sums up the whole book. "What possible good has it done to teach people like me to write?" Pen drop moment. Petry did that.

A stunning read

I still think of the last 20 pages of this books months later. A stunning and heartbreaking book, the world and its characters that Ann Petry has created is nothing short of brilliant. Highly recommend!

Disappointed with the Reviewers

I find it telling that everyone who has something bad to say about this book mentions that it is either depressing or about black or poor people. It makes me sad that people cannot appreciate an intricate and complex novel because it reminds them of things they don't want to think about. This novel deals with the complex and varied perspectives that exist within the smallest units of urban space, and the how our lives can be affected in powerful ways by the actions of people who are only peripheral to our daily existence. Since some people have a problem with reading sad or realistic books, I would say this one is for grown-ups of any age.

An Excellent Read

About a year ago, I was given this novel as a gift. My busy work and life schedules prohibited me from reading it until a few days ago. Once I picked it up, I could not put it down. What a wonderfully written story. This novel is a must read. I am still devastated and heart broken over the ending but a story doesn't have to have a happy ending in order to be good. Ms. Petry writes such vivid and colorful descriptions. The picture she paints educates the reader to the reality of life in the 1940's for black people. This one will touch your heart and soul. You will cry and ask yourself repeatedly if Lutie and Bub will ever be able to leave 'The Street'. I strongly recommend giving this one as a gift to someone you know. I know I am.