Bartleby in Manhattan

Bartleby in Manhattan is a collection of essays written by Elizabeth Hardwick between 1953 and 1983. The essays examine both literary figures and New York City life during this period. Hardwick explores subjects ranging from Melville's Bartleby to the Bloomsbury group to the social dynamics of Manhattan. Her observations of city life focus on Central Park, neighborhoods in transition, and the cultural shifts taking place over three decades. The essays move between personal experience and literary criticism, creating connections between the author's life in New York and the works she analyzes. Hardwick writes about writers including Virginia Woolf, Sylvia Plath, and Henry James, while also documenting the transformation of urban spaces and communities. These essays reflect broader themes about isolation in cities, the relationship between literature and place, and the evolution of American intellectual life in the latter half of the 20th century.

Readers note this essay collection showcases Hardwick's precise observations and intellectual rigor, particularly in pieces about New York City life and literary criticism. Many cite the title essay about Bartleby as a highlight. Readers appreciate: - Sharp cultural commentary without sentimentality - Complex analysis of works by Ring Lardner and Robinson - Insightful perspectives on feminism and women writers Common criticisms: - Dense academic writing style can be challenging - Some essays feel dated in their cultural references - Uneven quality across the collection Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (48 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (6 reviews) One reader called it "bitingly intelligent but occasionally impenetrable." Another noted: "Her prose demands close attention but rewards careful reading." LibraryThing reviewers mentioned the essays work best when focused on literary analysis rather than broader cultural criticism, with the Boston review essays receiving particular praise.

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🔖 Elizabeth Hardwick founded The New York Review of Books in 1963 with her then-husband Robert Lowell and other literary figures during a newspaper strike. 📚 The book's title essay examines Herman Melville's "Bartleby, the Scrivener," connecting the character's famous phrase "I would prefer not to" to modern forms of passive resistance. ✍️ While writing Bartleby in Manhattan, Hardwick lived in Manhattan's Upper West Side, the same neighborhood that influenced many of the essays in the collection. 📖 The essays in this collection were written during a pivotal time in New York City's history (1970s), capturing the city's cultural and economic crisis period. 🎭 Hardwick was known for pioneering a unique form of literary criticism that blended personal essay, biography, and fiction – a style prominently displayed throughout Bartleby in Manhattan.