Customer Reviews

The Street

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I came across this book as a 1970 edition paperback, with a 'blaxploitation' looking woman dressed in colorful clothing c. 1970... It looked like a 1960s ghetto story... I was surprised to see the 1946 publishing date after I read a few chapters and found out that the story takes place in 1944...

Anyone who wonders about race relations, the 'ghetto', the plight of black men finding jobs and fitting into society should read this book; it lays it all plain, and the fact that it takes place in 1944 is all the more revealing in that the ghetto has probably been here all along since after slavery, as an extension of slavery... The book could very well have taken place in 1970, just with different vices and prices and popular music; the story would be the same...

This book is truly haunting for anyone who wants to know what America is really like underneath; there is a color barrier, and a land of haves and have nots, and not enough decent jobs to go around...

Also surprising is that this book was not already made into a movie, since it screams out cinematically... even with its rawest of subject matter, I could picture Halle Berry as the lead, a Morgan Freeman as Jones, Wesley Snipes as Boots, etc. It would be surely controversial, since a lot of its strongest lines and ideas are a bare condemnation of the America societal system, history, economy, and the creators of the 'United States' and the Euro-American cultural millieu...

As an observer of American history and life, I have come to realize that the African American Black experience may in the end turn out to be the quinessential one, what with the old world slavery in the new world, the Civil War, jazz and blues forming the great part of America's truly original music, continued discrimination from much of 'mainstream' society in forms of integration... Ann Petry's THE STREET is one of America's great novels written by anyone of any color, but it really tells the whole truth, and nothing but, and all that no one wants to hear or admit...

America still has many problems, and this book is certainly a reminder of that... Let it be read by all walks...

I find it telling that everyone who has something bad to say about this book mentions that it is either depressing or about black or poor people. It makes me sad that people cannot appreciate an intricate and complex novel because it reminds them of things they don't want to think about. This novel deals with the complex and varied perspectives that exist within the smallest units of urban space, and the how our lives can be affected in powerful ways by the actions of people who are only peripheral to our daily existence. Since some people have a problem with reading sad or realistic books, I would say this one is for grown-ups of any age.

This is one of the best books that I have ever read. In a very simple, straight forward way, Ann Petrie takes us step by painful step through the life of an African American woman trying desperately to raise a healthy male child and to establish a better life for herself. What we see is that despite heroic determination, the system is structured to wear down and push against her very best efforts. Without preaching, the book takes us on a journey that helps us experience the dynamics of poverty and understand the thought processes of people trapped in it. This is a 'must read' book for anyone seeking to better understand the lives of those who can't seem to pull themselves out of poverty and it is a 'must read' book for policy makers, social workers and anyone working with people caught in the nexus of race and poverty. In addition, Ann Petrie is an excellent writer. She paints word pictures and maintains a breath-taking momentum from beginning to end.

The Steet by Ann Petry is an emotionaly powerful book that was much ahead of its time. Her writing is in a sort of vernacular style, but with very vivid descriptions. Though worded relatively simply, Petry is able to describe details in a way as to give the reader a constant mental image and understanding of all of the story's events. She effectively engages the reader by shifting the perspective to include the feelings of all the main characters. This book was ahead of its time in that Petry is able to describe in great detail the power that situational factors have on different people. This is something of an accomplishment considering that social psychology was, at the time that this book was written, a new science. Overall, this novel is a timeless classic that should be enjoyed for many years to come.

This book was both informative and drawn out. Petry uses a blunt style of writing, and she's not afraid to tell it how it is. Many parts of this book, however, seemed to draw out. Petry uses many descriptive facts, often down to the everyday meals they eat. Though in some parts of the book this can add to the environment, often the irrelavent details clutter up the point she is trying to make, or situation she is trying to explain. However, the layout of this book makes up for that. Petry uses a different approach, building each character up by allowing the reader to be submerged into their mind, from the pretty stable casino singer to the psychotic 'cellar man'. Overall, this book has given me a very real sense of what it was like growing up black in the 1940's, and i think that any young person still in their impressionable years should read this to get a better understanding of the history behind the black culture.

This book was lent to me by a friend who described it as "a little jewel." She was right. Ann Petry has captured the essence of a tragic life - a mother's heart filled with hopes and dreams for her young son - beaten down by the street she is forced to call home . Memorable characters - memorable ending. A very moving and insightful story. Written in 1946, this story is timeless, and well-worth the read. I couldn't put it down.

This book has delightful writing with full rich descriptions that appeal to all of the senses. It also is ripe with sociological and psychological truth, all wrapped up in a riveting story. I truly could not put it down, and it stayed with me after I finished it. The racial and gender issues that are addressed may have been set in the mid 1940's, but they are just as valid for our concern now in 2000.

Even though the story takes the view mainly from Lutie, Petry does leap into the viewpoint of the other characters to get a dark look into the mindset caused by oppressive conditions. It's interesting to just imagine life in an urban poor neighborhood and the way it can distort and shape the dreams of working folk. Another good title for this would have been "Dreams Deferred" because you get a sense of that throughout the novel. It's important to remember when reading the novel that the American Dream gave the working class a purpose in their efforts but for blacks at that time the dream was always above a glass ceiling.

The story is a naturalist view of Harlem during the 2nd world war. I think it accurately describes what life was like and draws you into the emotions of the characters.

An excellent read for those who enjoy uneasy truths

About a year ago, I was given this novel as a gift. My busy work and life schedules prohibited me from reading it until a few days ago. Once I picked it up, I could not put it down. What a wonderfully written story. This novel is a must read. I am still devastated and heart broken over the ending but a story doesn't have to have a happy ending in order to be good. Ms. Petry writes such vivid and colorful descriptions. The picture she paints educates the reader to the reality of life in the 1940's for black people. This one will touch your heart and soul. You will cry and ask yourself repeatedly if Lutie and Bub will ever be able to leave 'The Street'. I strongly recommend giving this one as a gift to someone you know. I know I am.