Comments on: The next next novel (updated) http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2008/08/04/the-next-next-novel/ writing, reading, eating, drinking, sport Mon, 22 Mar 2010 09:47:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Meg http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2008/08/04/the-next-next-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-71931 Meg Sun, 10 Aug 2008 17:25:13 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=1569#comment-71931 My Ears Are Bent, the first collection of nonfiction from Joseph Mitchell (originally published in 1938). His second collection, Up in the Old Hotel, spans up to the 60s but I think it might have a few 30s pieces included as well. My Ears Are Bent, the first collection of nonfiction from Joseph Mitchell (originally published in 1938). His second collection, Up in the Old Hotel, spans up to the 60s but I think it might have a few 30s pieces included as well.

]]> By: janet http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2008/08/04/the-next-next-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-71859 janet Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:53:45 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=1569#comment-71859 Gosh, there must be a lot of good Harlem Renaissance stuff. Have you looked at Zora Neale Hurston's autobio? I can't remember what years she was in New York, but I think for at least part of the 30's. Gosh, there must be a lot of good Harlem Renaissance stuff. Have you looked at Zora Neale Hurston’s autobio? I can’t remember what years she was in New York, but I think for at least part of the 30’s.

]]> By: caitlin http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2008/08/04/the-next-next-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-71828 caitlin Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:48:59 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=1569#comment-71828 What fun -- the music, the theatre, the fashions! I wish for you a fashion designer fairy so that you can be completely immersed in the next next novel. I can't wait. What fun — the music, the theatre, the fashions! I wish for you a fashion designer fairy so that you can be completely immersed in the next next novel. I can’t wait.

]]> By: Claudia http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2008/08/04/the-next-next-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-71766 Claudia Wed, 06 Aug 2008 01:03:36 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=1569#comment-71766 try Dreamland by like Kevin Baker? might be 1920's though. It is a historical novel taking place around Coney Island try Dreamland by like Kevin Baker? might be 1920’s though. It is a historical novel taking place around Coney Island

]]> By: Ariel Zeitlin Cooke http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2008/08/04/the-next-next-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-71746 Ariel Zeitlin Cooke Tue, 05 Aug 2008 12:46:34 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=1569#comment-71746 Justine, also don't forget BUtterfield 8 by John O'Hara. And why don't you check out the WPA guidebook to NY and see if they have other writings? (As many of you probably know, WPA was the U.S. gov't's work program during the Depression and employed writers; most famous work to come out of the program was the photoessay on Appalachia, Let Us Now Praise Famous Men by James Agee and Walker Evans--which is just so fantastic but of course isn't NY.) Justine, also don’t forget BUtterfield 8 by John O’Hara. And why don’t you check out the WPA guidebook to NY and see if they have other writings? (As many of you probably know, WPA was the U.S. gov’t’s work program during the Depression and employed writers; most famous work to come out of the program was the photoessay on Appalachia, Let Us Now Praise Famous Men by James Agee and Walker Evans–which is just so fantastic but of course isn’t NY.)

]]> By: simmone http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2008/08/04/the-next-next-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-71742 simmone Tue, 05 Aug 2008 08:55:25 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=1569#comment-71742 how about jim tully, or john dos passos (particularly manhattan transfer), nathaneal west's miss lonelyhearts, john fante .... oh it's a great time to be writing about! how about jim tully, or john dos passos (particularly manhattan transfer), nathaneal west’s miss lonelyhearts, john fante …. oh it’s a great time to be writing about!

]]> By: Justine http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2008/08/04/the-next-next-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-71736 Justine Tue, 05 Aug 2008 06:08:48 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=1569#comment-71736 Ariel & Mike: Good recs. I've read 'em both many times. Dawn Powell is actually a huge influence on my writing. She's a genius. Runyon still makes me laugh even on the umpteenth read. The Luc Sante's a fab book but no good for my period. I shall check out the Harpo Marx. Ariel & Mike: Good recs. I’ve read ‘em both many times. Dawn Powell is actually a huge influence on my writing. She’s a genius. Runyon still makes me laugh even on the umpteenth read.

The Luc Sante’s a fab book but no good for my period. I shall check out the Harpo Marx.

]]> By: Mike http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2008/08/04/the-next-next-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-71730 Mike Tue, 05 Aug 2008 04:02:31 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=1569#comment-71730 Damon Runyon. Wrote the story that became Guys and Dolls. His stories are a slang-fest. Runyon and New York go together like er, things that belong with each other. For a more documentary approach, Luc Sante's Low Life is a hugely readable portrait of New York from 1840 to 1920. And while on the topic, Harpo Marx' memoir Harpo Speaks includes some hilarious stuff around the collapse of Wall Street in 1929. And just a beautiful book. Damon Runyon. Wrote the story that became Guys and Dolls. His stories are a slang-fest. Runyon and New York go together like er, things that belong with each other.

For a more documentary approach, Luc Sante’s Low Life is a hugely readable portrait of New York from 1840 to 1920.

And while on the topic, Harpo Marx’ memoir Harpo Speaks includes some hilarious stuff around the collapse of Wall Street in 1929. And just a beautiful book.

]]> By: Ariel Zeitlin Cooke http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2008/08/04/the-next-next-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-71729 Ariel Zeitlin Cooke Tue, 05 Aug 2008 02:46:21 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=1569#comment-71729 Try Dawn Powell. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dawn_Powell Try Dawn Powell. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dawn_Powell

]]> By: rebecca http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2008/08/04/the-next-next-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-71728 rebecca Tue, 05 Aug 2008 01:40:08 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=1569#comment-71728 <i>"A true comic genius, Ayn Rand."</i> HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! She must be turning in her grave. “A true comic genius, Ayn Rand.”
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! She must be turning in her grave.

]]> By: Pauline http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2008/08/04/the-next-next-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-71727 Pauline Tue, 05 Aug 2008 01:27:35 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=1569#comment-71727 Morning Justine. I took the easy way out and looked up the catalogue - http://opac.library.usyd.edu.au/search/X?SEARCH=new+york+city+1930s&SORT=D&searchscope=4 - mainly secondary sources. Not knowing your exact interest makes these problematic, but the titles may be of interest, and should all be available locally. Good luck. Morning Justine. I took the easy way out and looked up the catalogue – http://opac.library.usyd.edu.au/search/X?SEARCH=new+york+city+1930s&SORT=D&searchscope=4 – mainly secondary sources. Not knowing your exact interest makes these problematic, but the titles may be of interest, and should all be available locally. Good luck.

]]> By: Justine http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2008/08/04/the-next-next-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-71726 Justine Tue, 05 Aug 2008 01:13:07 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=1569#comment-71726 Sherwood: White's and Wilsons's letters? Awesome. I'm right on it! Thanks for the rec. Kate C: I have indeed read <i>The Fountainhead</i> not to mention <i>Atlas Shrugged</i> I find them both deeply hilarious. A true comic genius, Ayn Rand. Sherwood: White’s and Wilsons’s letters? Awesome. I’m right on it! Thanks for the rec.

Kate C: I have indeed read The Fountainhead not to mention Atlas Shrugged I find them both deeply hilarious. A true comic genius, Ayn Rand.

]]> By: Kate C http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2008/08/04/the-next-next-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-71724 Kate C Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:46:52 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=1569#comment-71724 Have you read Ayn Rand's The Fountainhed? Ghastly philosophy but interesting portrait of the time. Have you read Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhed? Ghastly philosophy but interesting portrait of the time.

]]> By: Jonathan http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2008/08/04/the-next-next-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-71716 Jonathan Mon, 04 Aug 2008 22:07:55 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=1569#comment-71716 I thought of Studs Terkel as well. Working is the book I've read, and it's got a lot about the Depression in it I thought of Studs Terkel as well. Working is the book I’ve read, and it’s got a lot about the Depression in it

]]> By: Patrick http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2008/08/04/the-next-next-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-71704 Patrick Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:17:36 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=1569#comment-71704 I was living as a vampire, in NYC, during the 1930s. I can't help though. I prefered everything from 1910. I was an old fashioned vampire. I got better, though. In 1947 the aliens cured me. I was living as a vampire, in NYC, during the 1930s. I can’t help though. I prefered everything from 1910. I was an old fashioned vampire.

I got better, though. In 1947 the aliens cured me.

]]> By: Leahr http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2008/08/04/the-next-next-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-71702 Leahr Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:03:44 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=1569#comment-71702 I am trying to think of some. I must have read a bunch. Dave at night by Gail Carson Levine is set in NYC, a decade earlier than you wanted, so never mind. I read as a kid, Ida Early Comes over the Mountain- that's depression era, but its set in Georgia. (Cute little book, though.) Why can't I think of anything? I used to read a ton of historical fiction...there may be a Dear America diary of that era. Does Ann Rinaldi write about a period that late? Oh! All The King's Men by Robert Penn Warren is in the 30s. again, not NYC, but Huey Long did have a lot to do with the tone of the era. I never read it but I heard it's good. Strawberry Girl by Lois Lensky- set in Florida My mother reminded me of The Grapes of Wrath, which I'm sure you already thought of but deserves to be on a list anyway. I've only read part of it, though. I tried googling Depression historical fiction and found some reccomendations. I was reminded of Mildred Taylor's books, which are good. So is Bud, not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis. But still can't find any on city life! You are pointing out gaps in my reading, Justine. Or possibly just my memory. I'll try to post again if I do think of anything better. I am trying to think of some. I must have read a bunch. Dave at night by Gail Carson Levine is set in NYC, a decade earlier than you wanted, so never mind. I read as a kid, Ida Early Comes over the Mountain- that’s depression era, but its set in Georgia. (Cute little book, though.) Why can’t I think of anything? I used to read a ton of historical fiction…there may be a Dear America diary of that era. Does Ann Rinaldi write about a period that late?
Oh! All The King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren is in the 30s. again, not NYC, but Huey Long did have a lot to do with the tone of the era. I never read it but I heard it’s good.
Strawberry Girl by Lois Lensky- set in Florida
My mother reminded me of The Grapes of Wrath, which I’m sure you already thought of but deserves to be on a list anyway. I’ve only read part of it, though.
I tried googling Depression historical fiction and found some reccomendations. I was reminded of Mildred Taylor’s books, which are good. So is Bud, not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis.
But still can’t find any on city life! You are pointing out gaps in my reading, Justine. Or possibly just my memory. I’ll try to post again if I do think of anything better.

]]> By: Sherwood http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2008/08/04/the-next-next-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-71701 Sherwood Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:42:39 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=1569#comment-71701 Studs Terkel wandered around collecting real stories from ordinary people during that era. It's fascinating. "wit's End" is a good roundup of the Algonquin Round Table, and the interconnected group of writers and artists around Alexander Woollcott. (In fact, you should read him--it will be amazing now, but he had a profound effect on letters and on Broadway shows of the time. He's so superficial he's just about unreadable. FPA ditto, another one who had a profound effect.) E.B. White's Letters are really interesting, and oh yes, Edmund Wilson has his thirties notes published, as well as his letters, etc. Studs Terkel wandered around collecting real stories from ordinary people during that era. It’s fascinating.

“wit’s End” is a good roundup of the Algonquin Round Table, and the interconnected group of writers and artists around Alexander Woollcott. (In fact, you should read him–it will be amazing now, but he had a profound effect on letters and on Broadway shows of the time. He’s so superficial he’s just about unreadable. FPA ditto, another one who had a profound effect.)

E.B. White’s Letters are really interesting, and oh yes, Edmund Wilson has his thirties notes published, as well as his letters, etc.

]]> By: Hillary! http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2008/08/04/the-next-next-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-71700 Hillary! Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:54:41 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=1569#comment-71700 Wow, I just get worse and worse. Fitzgerald! Sorry about the tripple post. Wow, I just get worse and worse. Fitzgerald!

Sorry about the tripple post.

]]> By: Hillary! http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2008/08/04/the-next-next-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-71699 Hillary! Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:53:46 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=1569#comment-71699 Fotzgerald? Who's that? I believe I meant Fitzgerlad. Fotzgerald? Who’s that? I believe I meant Fitzgerlad.

]]> By: Hillary! http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2008/08/04/the-next-next-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-71698 Hillary! Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:50:00 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=1569#comment-71698 F. Scott Fotzgerald? F. Scott Fotzgerald?

]]> By: robin http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2008/08/04/the-next-next-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-71697 robin Mon, 04 Aug 2008 13:05:57 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=1569#comment-71697 Only Yesterday, by Frederick Lewis Allen -- it was published in 1931 and is a really textured account (and personal history) of the previous ten years (including the crash and the early years of the depression). Even though it focuses on the 20s, it gives you a great feel for everything that was lost in the crash. Also Middletown in Transition (pub'd 1937), by Robert Lynd, a detailed sociological analysis of depression life in a small US city. Not new york specific, but chock full of useful info. Only Yesterday, by Frederick Lewis Allen — it was published in 1931 and is a really textured account (and personal history) of the previous ten years (including the crash and the early years of the depression). Even though it focuses on the 20s, it gives you a great feel for everything that was lost in the crash.

Also Middletown in Transition (pub’d 1937), by Robert Lynd, a detailed sociological analysis of depression life in a small US city. Not new york specific, but chock full of useful info.

]]> By: E. Lockhart http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2008/08/04/the-next-next-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-71693 E. Lockhart Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:20:30 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=1569#comment-71693 I have a long-stalled project set in the 30s. I liked Niagra Falls All Over Again by Elizabeth McCracken, though not set exclusively in NYC. About Vaudeville. I recently read Funny Boys by Warren Adler, set in a borscht belt resort and in NYC. Not sure of dates but similar. Liked the first half a lot. Fun with gangsters! Read Damon Runyon! But then, you knew that. Dreamland by Kevin Baker. (Again, exact dates not remembered). I have a long-stalled project set in the 30s. I liked Niagra Falls All Over Again by Elizabeth McCracken, though not set exclusively in NYC. About Vaudeville. I recently read Funny Boys by Warren Adler, set in a borscht belt resort and in NYC. Not sure of dates but similar. Liked the first half a lot. Fun with gangsters!

Read Damon Runyon! But then, you knew that.

Dreamland by Kevin Baker. (Again, exact dates not remembered).

]]>