A review by harinid
The Colossus of New York by Colson Whitehead
4.0
There have been many essays written on New York, but Colson Whitehead's extended essay is possibly the most endearing love letter to the city that I have read. Most images and expositions on New York induce a feeling of awe towards the metropolis. In making the most humane observations on the city and its people, Whitehead has noted their imperfections which adds beauty to the feel/ beat of the city. As a former New Yorker, this book and collection of essays on various parts of the city resonates a lot more with me but perhaps there are glimpses of many other cities in his notes.
"The city knows you better than any living person because it has seen you when you are alone. It saw you steeling yourself for the job interview, slowly walking home after the late date, tripping over non-existent impediments on the sidewalk. It saw you wince when the single frigid drop fell from the air conditioner twelve stories up and zapped you. It saw the bewilderment on your face as you stepped out of the stolen matinee, incredulous that there was still daylight after such a long movie. It saw you half running up the streets after you got keys to your first apartments. The city saw all that. Remembers, too."
"The city knows you better than any living person because it has seen you when you are alone. It saw you steeling yourself for the job interview, slowly walking home after the late date, tripping over non-existent impediments on the sidewalk. It saw you wince when the single frigid drop fell from the air conditioner twelve stories up and zapped you. It saw the bewilderment on your face as you stepped out of the stolen matinee, incredulous that there was still daylight after such a long movie. It saw you half running up the streets after you got keys to your first apartments. The city saw all that. Remembers, too."