Starting Out in the Thirties

Starting Out in the Thirties chronicles Alfred Kazin's emergence into New York's intellectual circles during the years 1934-1940. The memoir captures his experiences as a young literary critic finding his voice in Depression-era Manhattan. The book documents Kazin's interactions with major writers, critics, and political figures of the 1930s during a period of intense social change. Through his work at various publications and cultural institutions, Kazin provides an insider's view of New York's literary establishment and radical political movements. Kazin details the physical and cultural landscapes of 1930s New York City, from the halls of City College to Greenwich Village literary gatherings. His observations include both the European émigré intellectuals and American writers who shaped the era's cultural discourse. The memoir stands as both a personal coming-of-age story and a broader portrait of American intellectual life during a transformative decade. Through Kazin's perspective, the book explores themes of Jewish identity, political ideology, and the role of literature in times of social upheaval.

Readers note Kazin's intimate portrait of New York intellectual life during the Depression era, with emphasis on his personal evolution as a writer and critic. Common praise highlights: - Depiction of Jewish immigrant experience in Brooklyn - Details about literary figures and cultural movements of 1930s - Writing style that balances memoir with social history - Insights into radical politics and Depression-era America Main criticisms: - Dense writing that requires concentration - Many references to obscure literary figures - Assumes reader familiarity with 1930s context - Some find the tone too academic Review Scores: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (42 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (6 ratings) Several readers compare it favorably to Kazin's earlier memoir "A Walker in the City" but note this work demands more background knowledge. One Goodreads reviewer called it "an invaluable document of Depression-era NYC cultural life, though not always an easy read."

Making It by Norman Podhoretz This memoir chronicles a Jewish intellectual's rise in New York City's literary circles during the 1950s, mirroring Kazin's journey through cultural and political transformations.

A Walker in the City by Alfred Kazin The companion piece to Starting Out in the Thirties follows Kazin through the streets of Brownsville, Brooklyn, capturing immigrant life and literary awakening in pre-war New York.

A Margin of Hope by Irving Howe The story traces a radical Jewish intellectual's path through New York's literary and political landscape from the 1930s to the 1960s.

World of Our Fathers by Irving Howe This historical account documents the Jewish immigrant experience in New York's Lower East Side, providing context for the cultural milieu that shaped Kazin's generation.

Literary Life: A Second Memoir by Larry McMurtry The narrative presents a writer's evolution through America's literary circles and chronicles the transformation of intellectual life in mid-twentieth century America.

🔖 Kazin wrote this memoir at age 39, reflecting on his twenties during the Great Depression when he was an emerging literary critic 📚 The book was published in 1965 and serves as the second part of Kazin's autobiographical trilogy, following "A Walker in the City" (1951) 🗽 Many scenes take place at the New York Public Library's Reading Room, where the young Kazin spent countless hours developing his craft and finding refuge from poverty ✍️ The memoir features encounters with literary giants like Edmund Wilson, Malcolm Cowley, and Mary McCarthy, who were shaping American criticism during this period 🎓 Despite the economic hardships of the 1930s, Kazin managed to graduate from City College of New York at age 20 and began his career reviewing books for The New Republic