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The Colossus of New York
The Colossus of New York | Colson Whitehead
20 posts | 23 read | 37 to read
In a dazzlingly original work of nonfiction, the award-winning novelist Colson Whitehead re-creates the exuberance, the chaos, the promise, and the heartbreak of New York. Here is a literary love song that will entrance anyone who has lived inor spent timein the greatest of American cities.A masterful evocation of the city that never sleeps, The Colossus of New York captures the citys inner and outer landscapes in a series of vignettes, meditations, and personal memories. Colson Whitehead conveys with almost uncanny immediacy the feelings and thoughts of longtime residents and of newcomers who dream of making it their home; of those who have conquered its challenges; and of those who struggle against its cruelties. Whiteheads style is as multilayered and multifarious as New York itself: Switching from third person, to first person, to second person, he weaves individual voices into a jazzy musical composition that perfectly reflects the way we experience the city. There is a funny, knowing riff on what it feels like to arrive in New York for the first time; a lyrical meditation on how the city is transformed by an unexpected rain shower; and a wry look at the ferocious battle that is commuting. The plaintive notes of the lonely and dispossessed resound in one passage, while another captures those magical moments when the city seems to be talking directly to you, inviting you to become one with its rhythms. The Colossus of New York is a remarkable portrait of life in the big city. Ambitious in scope, gemlike in its details, it is at once an unparalleled tribute to New York and the ideal introduction to one of the most exciting writers working today.
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Tonton
The Colossus of New York | Colson Whitehead
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Pickpick

Love letter to New York City, from all kinds of perspectives and detail that had me nodding yes, yes, yes I lived this, I saw that, I walked past there, I fell in love here and cried just on that corner and I miss it, always a New Yorker and some day I will return.

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HeatherBlue
The Colossus of New York | Colson Whitehead
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Trying to get home to VA after visiting family in WA state. So far the final flight has been delayed 7 times (we‘re getting home over 4 hours after we were supposed to). This book was a comfort-buy before everything shut down at 9. Here‘s hoping there isn‘t an 8th delay!! 🤞🏻

BookishMarginalia Good luck! 3y
HeatherBlue @BookishMarginalia Thank you!! Here‘s hoping we can board soon!! 3y
Leftcoastzen Yikes 😳 3y
31 likes3 comments
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Hooked_on_books
The Colossus of New York | Colson Whitehead
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Pickpick

Rather than being a straightforward narrative of New York or Whitehead‘s own experience there, this book is a montage that reminds me of a poetry slam, with tidbits and snapshots of being in The City. It‘s wildly creative, unsurprisingly from Whitehead, and I really enjoyed it. Plus, he reads the audio, which I liked.

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BookishMe
The Colossus of New York | Colson Whitehead
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Pickpick

So glad I could get acquainted with his snappy writing through this #nonfiction . The staccato narration reflects what I imagine to be essence of the city, as he deftly captures the universal responses to dislocation & change. His sharp imagery often presented light bulb moments for me.
Whitehead's debut will be a slow read for this mood reader
#AuthorAMonth
Getting Excited for next month's author, tho not a fan of his books ☺️☺️
@Soubhiville

Geenie Light bulb💡 moments.... ♥️ nice👍 review (edited) 4y
BookishMe @Yoshi-and-a-book thank you 😊 😊 4y
Soubhiville Logged 📚 4y
BookishMe @Soubhiville thanks for noting 👌🏾 4y
36 likes4 comments
quote
BookishMe
The Colossus of New York | Colson Whitehead

Do not doubt you inspire with every breath, that every breath is a marvel of engineering. Deserve everything.

#currentlyReading #AuthorAMonth

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Soubhiville
The Colossus of New York | Colson Whitehead
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February is over halfway done, and the #AuthorAMonth reviews for Colson Whitehead‘s books have really been rolling in!

Can we surpass last month‘s number of reads? We‘ll see! I haven‘t finished my read yet, and I don‘t think I‘ll get in a second this month.

Remember to use the hashtag and post as a review and tag me to be counted.

Next month‘s author is Haruki Marukami. Put in your library holds now!

See All 16 Comments
Bookzombie I will be starting my pick as soon as I finish my current read. 🙂 4y
Sarahreadstoomuch Unfortunately I don‘t think I‘ll get to him this month... but looking forward to Norwegian Wood next month! 4y
Chrissyreadit I am determined to read Underground Railroad this month. 4y
alisiakae I‘be already read both The Underground Railroad and Nickel Boys preciously, but I‘m picking up his first book at the library today! 4y
AmyG My Whitehead book is read. I‘m very excited about Murakami. I have two books of his from a swap that I haven‘t read yet. 4y
Kimberlone I‘m excited for murakami! I‘ve still never read anything by him! 4y
dariazeoli I‘m reading two right now and I doubt I‘ll get to any more. But I own a couple Murakami, so I‘m excited for March! 4y
CBee I tried to read the tagged book, but it must not have been the right time. Too heavy. 🤷‍♀️ 4y
NeedsMoreBooks Super excited to re-read Murakami! 4y
Eggs Murakami will be new for me! I‘ve really enjoyed the Whitehead books🤗 4y
LibrarianRyan 👍😁 4y
Mdargusch I might only get to one this month. I hate short months. 😂 4y
sudi I finished underground railroad yesterday, but i still have to post a review. 4y
77 likes1 stack add16 comments
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BookishMe
The Colossus of New York | Colson Whitehead
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#AuthorAMonth TUR has been on my list for a long time.
After reading the first chapter, I realised I may not be ready to read it.
Thanks to #Overdrive I came across his #nonfiction which makes much easier read! Enjoying his ownership of the Big Apple and this is the book I will take with me when I visit the city.
#currentlyReading

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Eggs
The Colossus of New York | Colson Whitehead
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Pickpick

Here is a smooth and exuberant look at NYC; vignettes from multiple POVs that celebrate the “city that never sleeps”!! With flavorful and lyrical descriptions, this book reminds me of the film Koyaanisquatsi, with the inimitable soundtrack of Philip Glass. Recommend!

#authoramonth2020
Colson Whitehead
@Soubhiville

Ruthiella Love Whitehead! 😍 I want to read all his catalogue! 4y
Eggs @Ruthiella You should ! Go for it! 4y
Soubhiville Logged, 10!📚 4y
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Bookwormjillk
The Colossus of New York | Colson Whitehead
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Pickpick

I really liked all of the little details in this book. Even though I don‘t live in New York I loved the minutiae of how people behave on a city bus or how mothers behave in a park. My favorite quote was “The blessing of a secret stash of matching socks.” in reference to when you‘re getting ready for work and you haven‘t done laundry.
#AuthorAMonth2020

Chrissyreadit Do you think book vs audio makes a difference? 4y
Bookwormjillk @Chrissyreadit probably not. I think it would be good either way. It was read by the author though which is always fun. 4y
Soubhiville Logged, this is 3📚 4y
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review
megnews
The Colossus of New York | Colson Whitehead
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Pickpick

A stream-of-consciousness #essay ode to New York. The sights, sounds, smells, and feelings of NYC come to life in this book.
When you can‘t be there, reading about #NYC, past or present, is the next best thing. Read this in anticipation of our upcoming trip.

Book 193/265 6/8/19

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keithmalek
The Colossus of New York | Colson Whitehead
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laytonwoman3rd
The Colossus of New York | Colson Whitehead
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Read this in anticipation of hearing Colson Whitehead speak tonight. Lecture has been postponed due to weather, but the book was a treat anyway.

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Mitch
The Colossus of New York | Colson Whitehead
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Pickpick

" Talking about New York, is a way of talking about the world" - that is so true when reading this book. It's a series of snippets, observations, thoughts, recordings of life in New York. Organised mostly through geographically concrete locations - the city, assemblies and disassemblies itself across the page. My favourite section was Brooklyn Bridge - where the bridge seemed to breathe and sigh and be a living part of the city. ❤️NYC!

emilyhaldi Nice review! ❤️ 6y
Mitch Thanks @emilyhaldi It was a great read! 6y
squirrelbrain Oh I so need this book! Love NYC and books about NYC! 6y
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Mitch I‘d really recommended it @squirrelbrain It creates a wonderful sense of time and place with the smallest of observations. Have you read Hack by Melissa Plaut - I read it a while ago - but another good NY read (edited) 6y
squirrelbrain Ooh no - also added to the list! I read one recently about garbage collectors in NYC, it was mildly interesting. Don‘t think it‘s on here, Picking Up by Robin Nagle. 6y
Mitch I‘ll have a look at that - thanks @squirrelbrain 6y
squirrelbrain I wouldn‘t rush out and buy it, and I doubt you‘d get it over here anyway. Mine is from the Strand in NYC itself! If you‘d like I can lend it to you via post? (assuming you‘re in the uk?) 6y
Mitch Thanks so much @squirrelbrain I‘d love that. Drop me a line at Mitch.k@mac.com. Don‘t you just love Litsy! 6y
87 likes7 stack adds8 comments
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Mitch
The Colossus of New York | Colson Whitehead
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I‘m going to read #onenonfictionbookamonth this year. Now I‘m looking for great non fiction in seeing it everywhere! This jumped out at me at the store today and I‘m going to start it today! There‘s something extra lovely about reading the book you just bought! #NYLittens

emilyhaldi I loved this one ❤️ 6y
Pamwurtzler I have that stacked! 6y
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cariashley
The Colossus of New York | Colson Whitehead
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Pickpick

This audiobook was a lovely ode to my forever home, and a bit nostalgic as it came out in my high school/college years. I‘m a jaded NY grump around the holidays because it‘s my busiest time at work and the city is SO crowded. But the decorations on the Cartier building across the street from my office always make me smile - I love those cats. 🐈🎄

emilyhaldi I was only in NYC for 6 years but I definitely made it to "jaded grump" status ? the decorations help! ?? 6y
NerdyRev I grew up in Brooklyn and know that busyness well. I am now grateful I live an hour and a half outside of the city and get to pop in and pop out. Glad you are finding joy in the little places. 6y
Beckys_Books That's a lovely holiday view! 6y
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bedandabook That‘s a fantastic view! I‘ve always wanted to visit New York but have never managed it. Maybe someday. 6y
JessieReadsInBK My office was located in the Radio City Music Hall building and it made me such a grump during this time of year! We moved downtown recently and that has helped! 6y
cariashley @emilyhaldi ha it doesn‘t take long to get jaded in this city!! 6y
cariashley @NerdyRev good for you! I don‘t know if I‘ll ever get sick enough of it to move, but who knows. At least you‘re close enough to visit! 6y
cariashley @bedandabook I hope you make it here soon! 6y
cariashley @JessieReadsInBK I‘ve worked around this area for over 12 years, it would be so nice to be downtown or anywhere else, really. My husband is smack in the middle of Times Square though, so it could be worse! 6y
56 likes9 comments
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emilyhaldi
The Colossus of New York | Colson Whitehead
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My #view this morning, with this very pertinent book choice.

"We can never make proper good-byes...There are unheralded tipping points, a certain number of times that you will unlock the front door of an apartment. At some point you were closer to the last time than you were to the first time, and you didn't even know it. You didn't know that each time you were passing the threshold you were saying good-bye."

#seasonsreadings2017

emilyhaldi @NCNY I believe you were the one who recommended this book to me, so thank you!! It‘s expressing everything I‘m feeling right now so perfectly but I couldn‘t find the words myself ❤️ 6y
BookMaven407 😍 6y
saresmoore Wow. ♥️ 6y
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Cinfhen That's really moving! It must be speaking to you!!! 6y
SandyW Is this typical of the book.?I'm heading to the city soon; if this is reflective of what the book is like, it might make for a good/timely read 6y
BarbaraBB Aren‘t you leaving NewYork soon? This quote must touch you then 💕 6y
emilyhaldi @saresmoore @Cinfhen When I read this quote I immediately got emotional bc it‘s exactly how I‘ve been feeling! It‘s a relief to see it put into words. I‘m glad you guys agree that it‘s moving bc I sent it to my husband too and he thinks I‘m being “emo”😂 He is SO ready to leave nyc so he doesn‘t quite get why I‘m being so melodramatic about it 🙄 and yes @BarbaraBB I move 2 weeks from today so its really poignant! 6y
emilyhaldi @SandyW I just started it so not entirely sure but I bet it would be a fun, relevant read for you if you‘re on your way to the city soon!! 6y
NCNY So glad you're liking it so far. Hopefully it'll end up being something you can pull off the shelf when you're missing New York and it'll remind you of the place you once called home. 6y
kspenmoll Goodbyes to places are so hard- love your quote. I had to leave Boston after almost 10 years years ago before I was really ready. So glad you have this book to help you through. 6y
Reviewsbylola Less than two weeks! 😁 6y
lynneamch Love being reminded of visits to NYC when our daughter lived there. Any bibliophile would do well to get to Brooklyn with this one 6y
104 likes10 stack adds12 comments
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AlexGeorge
The Colossus of New York | Colson Whitehead
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"Never listen to what people tell you about old New York, because if you didn't witness it, it is not a part of your New York and might as well be Jersey."

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Maddymayi13
The Colossus of New York | Colson Whitehead
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First book of 2017; the introduction had me starry eyed on the subway.

rather_be_reading i didnt know he had other books! 6y
3 likes1 comment
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rucker
The Colossus of New York | Colson Whitehead
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Simple words, but they took my breath away. This sentence comes at the end of a paragraph, and you can just hear the hope dying away, like falling off a cliff or getting hit by a train.

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