The street ; : and, The Narrows

Resource Information

The work The street ; : and, The Narrows represents a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in Randwick City Library. This resource is a combination of several types including: Work, Language Material, Books.

This resource has been enriched with EBSCO NoveList data.

Label

The street ; : and, The Narrows

Title remainder

and, The Narrows

Statement of responsibility

Ann Petry ; Farah Jasmine Griffin, editor

Creator

• truePetry, Ann, 1908-1997

Contributor

• truePetry, Ann, 1908-1997
• trueGriffin, Farah Jasmine

Author

• truePetry, Ann, 1908-1997

Editor

• trueGriffin, Farah Jasmine

Subject

• trueLiterary fiction
• Harlem (New York, N.Y.) -- Social life and customs -- Fiction
• truePoverty -- Harlem, New York City
• trueAfrican American community life -- Harlem, New York City
• trueAfrican American fiction
• trueMothers and sons -- Harlem, New York City
• Race relations -- Fiction
• African Americans -- Fiction
• trueUrban fiction
• trueStreet life
• trueHarlem, New York City
• trueSingle-parent families -- Harlem, New York City
• Single mothers -- Fiction
• trueAfrican Americans -- Harlem, New York City
• true1940s -- 1940 -- 1949
• trueModern classics
• trueInner city
• trueAfrican American women
• trueGhettoes, African American -- Harlem, New York City

Genre

• trueModern classics
• Fiction
• trueLiterary fiction
• trueUrban fiction
• trueAfrican American fiction

Language

eng

Summary

Published in 1946 to widespread critical and popular acclaim -- it was the first novel by an African-American woman to sell over a million copies -- The Street follows Lutie Johnson, a young, newly single mother, as she struggles to make a better life for her son, Bub. An intimate account of the aspirations and challenges of black, female, working-class life, much of it set on a single block in Harlem, the novel exposes structural inequalities in American society while telling a complex human story, as overpriced housing, lack of opportunity, sexual harassment, and racism conspire to limit Lutie's potential and to break her buoyant spirit. Less widely read than her blockbuster debut and still underappreciated, The Narrows (1953) is Petry's most ambitious and accomplished novel -- a multi-layered, stylistically innovative exploration of themes of race, class, sexuality, gender, and power in postwar America. Centered around an adulterous interracial affair in a small Connecticut town between the young black scholar-athlete Link Williams and white, privileged munitions heiress Camilo Sheffield, it is also a fond, incisive community portrait, full of unforgettable minor characters, unexpected humor, and a rich sense of history. Also included are three essays by Petry on the art of fiction and the vibrant Harlem life that inspired her

Related

• Narrows

Member of

• Library of America, 314

Theme

• trueRaised by the streets

Storyline

• trueOwn voices
• trueCharacter-driven

Tone

• trueMoving
• trueBleak
• trueHaunting

Writing style

• trueSpare

Character

• trueCulturally diverse

Biography type

contains biographical information

Cataloging source

SALS

Dewey number

813.54

Index

no index present

Literary form

mixed forms

Nature of contents

bibliography

Series statement

Library of America

Series volume

314

Target audience

adult