A Walker in the City
A Walker in the City
Book Brief
192
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Brooklyn, New York • 1930s
1951
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
A Walker in the City by Alfred Kazin is an autobiographical account of the author's childhood and youth in the Jewish suburb of Brownsville during and before the Great Depression. Kazin reflects on his family's ostracization, his longing for intellectual and spiritual fulfillment, and his journey into adulthood, exploring how his alienation shaped his identity and views on religion and society. The book includes experiences of ostracization and poverty.
Nostalgic
Contemplative
Melancholic
Emotional
Serene
Reviews & Readership
839 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Alfred Kazin's A Walker in the City is celebrated for its evocative portrayal of early 20th-century Brooklyn, blending personal memoir with social history. Readers appreciate Kazin's lyrical prose and vivid descriptions, though some feel the nostalgia can occasionally overshadow narrative cohesion. Overall, it is a rich, introspective journey that resonates emotionally.
Who Should Read A Walker in the City?
A reader who would enjoy Alfred Kazin's A Walker in the City is likely interested in memoirs and urban explorations. They are drawn to vivid portrayals of mid-20th-century American life, akin to works like Betty Smith's A Tree Grows in Brooklyn or Frank McCourt's Angela's Ashes. They appreciate richly detailed, reflective narratives on identity and place.
839 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Published in 1951, A Walker in the City is considered a classic of American autobiographical literature, capturing the essence of Jewish immigrant life in early 20th-century New York City.
Alfred Kazin was praised for his lyrical and evocative prose, which blends memoir with social commentary, giving readers a vivid sense of the cultural and emotional landscape of his Brooklyn neighborhood.
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A Walker in the City is part of what is commonly referred to as Kazin's "New York trilogy," which also includes his works Starting Out in the Thirties and New York Jew.
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192
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Brooklyn, New York • 1930s
1951
Adult
18+ years
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