Literary New York: A History and Guide

by Susan Edmiston, Linda D. Cirino

Visits the homes of literary figures since Washington Irving's day

Genres: History, Nonfiction

448 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a "literal" literary tour guide of the notable writer haunts in New York, this book is a great start. Given that it was written in the '70s, I don't know how much of the structures are still standing.

This was one of those books that I discovered in a beloved but now-shuttered bookstore. I bought it on a whim, feeling like I needed to buy something every time I stepped foot inside. The book is smartly sectioned off into different boroughs in New York, and at the end of each chapter, there are corresponding map markers.

Really no complaints about the book. If you're looking for something a bit more scholarly and dense, this book probably won't be to your liking. But if you're looking for an informative, non-touristy account of the literary spots in New York, this would be a perfect book to take on a plane ride to NYC.

[ANGELIA · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book, giving you short biographies of famous authors who were born, lived, and/or wrote in New York City up to the mid-20thc. (This book was written in 1976.) It includes illustrations, maps and neighborhood tours of the five boroughs, as well as enough info about the authors and their works to make you want to know more and invites further reading. A good introductory work to some of the literary greats.

[Jean Marie Angelo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love tour guides and historic places. Fun facts and details about Poe, Walt Whitman, and many other greats who lived and wrote in New York.