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Bright Lights, Big City Audiobook
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(3.00) - 10,741 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
With the publication of Bright Lights, Big City in 1984, Jay McInerney became a literary sensation, heralded as the voice of a generation. The novel follows a young man, living in Manhattan as if he owned it, through nightclubs, fashion shows, editorial offices, and loft parties as he attempts to outstrip mortality and the recurring approach of dawn. With nothing but goodwill, controlled substances, and wit to sustain him in this anti-quest, he runs until he reaches his reckoning point, where he is forced to acknowledge loss and, possibly, to rediscover his better instincts. This remarkable novel of youth and New York remains one of the most beloved, imitated, and iconic novels in America.
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"This book is exhilarating! The narrative, relayed in the unusual but very fitting 2nd person p.o.v, is witty, eloquent, racy and self aware. Really captures that 1980s cocaine, hedonism and decadent culture told through the eyes of the early 20's protagonist who is searching for his place in all of it. Fantastic descriptions and inventive language.I'd already read it a while back but listening to it was even better. The narrator was perfect for it and really added another dimension."
— Sophie (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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Bright Lights, Big City is a brilliant and moving work—unique, refreshing, imaginatively powerful and authentically conceived.
— The New York Times -
Bright Lights, Big City defined, and even determined, the mood of this whole town.
— Vanity Fair -
Short, sleek and very funny.... Beneath it's surface, though, a heart's cry for a saner, sweeter, more thoughtful and restrained existence.
— Chicago Tribune -
Each generation needs its Manhattan novel, and many ache to write it. But it was McInerney who succeeded.
— The New York Times Book Review
Bright Lights, Big City Listener Reviews
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" I didn't think people wrote novels in second person, but this works. "
— Maciek, 2/13/2014 -
" Read this one because its on the Time 100 Greatest Novels list. While the style was interesting in that it was all in second-person, very unusual for a novel, it was not the greatest book I have ever read. Certainly it wasn't the worst, but it would not have made my top 100. "
— Sabina, 2/4/2014 -
" Enjoyed this book a ton. The turn toward the end pulled the story together well and provided a deeper layer that was very insightful. "
— Ryan, 1/31/2014 -
" It's a bit dated but the voice is a strong one. "
— G, 1/25/2014 -
" one of my favorites. same themes as american psycho, no gore or murder. "
— Heaether, 1/19/2014 -
" great book/bad movie "
— Rob, 1/17/2014 -
" A charming love letter to cocaine. "
— Edward, 1/15/2014 -
" Michael J Fox...oops I saw the movie first....I mean young man in NYC in the 80's crazy and coked up. I found it enjoyable to watch and read but it wasn't amazing..... "
— Denidevine, 1/14/2014 -
" Raw, real, fucked up. McInerney isn't afraid to dig into the deep underbelly of New York nightlife and the world of a 20-something. Ranked up there as one of the best books I've read in a long time. "
— Amanda, 1/8/2014 -
" McInerney's sly prose can make you laugh as it simultaneously alienates you. It feints right, twists left, and then suddenly pulls a punch and profoundly moves you. "
— Jessica, 1/5/2014 -
" If not for any other reason - though there are reasons aplenty - I loved this book for its second person narrative alone. A truly novel experience. What a story and what an amazing way to narrate it! Lovely. "
— Prasad, 1/1/2014
About Jay McInerney
Jay McInerney is the author of seven novels and two collections of essays on wine. He is a regular contributor to New York magazine, Guardian Weekly (London), and Corriere della Sera.