51 pages 1 hour read

Ann Petry

The Street

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1946

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

The Street, written by Ann Petry and published in 1946, follows Lutie Johnson, a single mother of a young boy named Bub, who moves into a new apartment in Harlem during the 1940s. Despite the squalid conditions of the apartment and the threatening behavior of the building’s superintendent, Jones, Lutie believes the move is necessary for her and Bub's survival. She struggles against exploitation while attempting to secure a better future for her son. Sensitive topics include domestic violence, racism, and exploitation.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Ann Petry's The Street is lauded for its powerful depiction of systemic racism and the struggles of a single black mother in 1940s Harlem. Critics praise its vivid prose and complex characters, though some note its heavy themes may be emotionally taxing. Overall, it is considered a compelling and essential read for its social commentary and literary merit.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Street?

A reader who appreciates The Street by Ann Petry likely enjoys deeply evocative narratives focused on the struggles of African American women. Comparable to Richard Wright's Native Son and Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God, this reader seeks stories rich in social critique and emotional depth against an urban backdrop.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Classic Fiction

American Literature

Historical Fiction

Topics

Race / Racism

History: World