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A review by tjgreads
The Colossus of New York by Colson Whitehead
4.0
I think this smallish collection of bits and pieces of essays about New York was intentionally written in a jumpy kind of way - perfect for subway rides and New York city attention spans.
The great thing about The Colossus of New York is that it hits where it counts. Every bit is familiar - it captures the anxiety, joy, loneliness, and amazement of living in this great city. So many of the things I read in this little book have happened to me, or reflect conversations I've had with my family and friends:
"Abomination, thy name is Subway. He cannot enter. They flood through turnstiles, hips banging rods, will not let him enter....Everyone things they are more deserving, everything thinks their day has been harder than everyone else's, and everyone is correct." (p. 118)
"The loneliness is the worst, because this knowledge is something that cannot be shared, only suffered. Just as well. Why should anyone else have it easy. Spoken like a true New Yorker." (p. 154)
"So many people running. Is something chasing them. Yes, something different is chasing each of them and gaining slowly. She feels fit and trim. People remove layers one by one the deeper they get into the park....This is his tenth attempt to join the jogging culture. This latest outfit will do the trick. Pant and heave. How much farther. Reservoir of what. Small devices keep track of ingrown miles....One covert says, I'm going to come here every day from now on. It's so refreshing." (p. 42)
"Let the honking commence nanoseconds after the light changes, up and down the ave. Honk all you want, little man, you're not going anywhere." (p. 145)
The notes on the subway and Central Park were my favorites, but there is also a great bit about the city when it rains. Read it if you are feeling like you need to commiserate about the challenges of living here, or if you have moved away and either miss it or need a reminder as to why you hate it. Which are really the same emotion, anyway, New Yorkers love to hate it here.
The great thing about The Colossus of New York is that it hits where it counts. Every bit is familiar - it captures the anxiety, joy, loneliness, and amazement of living in this great city. So many of the things I read in this little book have happened to me, or reflect conversations I've had with my family and friends:
"Abomination, thy name is Subway. He cannot enter. They flood through turnstiles, hips banging rods, will not let him enter....Everyone things they are more deserving, everything thinks their day has been harder than everyone else's, and everyone is correct." (p. 118)
"The loneliness is the worst, because this knowledge is something that cannot be shared, only suffered. Just as well. Why should anyone else have it easy. Spoken like a true New Yorker." (p. 154)
"So many people running. Is something chasing them. Yes, something different is chasing each of them and gaining slowly. She feels fit and trim. People remove layers one by one the deeper they get into the park....This is his tenth attempt to join the jogging culture. This latest outfit will do the trick. Pant and heave. How much farther. Reservoir of what. Small devices keep track of ingrown miles....One covert says, I'm going to come here every day from now on. It's so refreshing." (p. 42)
"Let the honking commence nanoseconds after the light changes, up and down the ave. Honk all you want, little man, you're not going anywhere." (p. 145)
The notes on the subway and Central Park were my favorites, but there is also a great bit about the city when it rains. Read it if you are feeling like you need to commiserate about the challenges of living here, or if you have moved away and either miss it or need a reminder as to why you hate it. Which are really the same emotion, anyway, New Yorkers love to hate it here.