Love the Kerouac footage and the Seinfeld clip and all the footage. Can’t imagine how long it took you to put this together. This sounds like a great book. I have a fascination with the New York of the 50s and early 60s, which I suppose is almost completely gone. I’ve never been to New York. Great review as usual.
It's always interesting to see the perspective people have about this mythical "old New York", of various eras. I always listen to those tales, or watch those stories, or read those perspectives with a great deal of envy. I grew up in NYC, Queens specifically but by subway pretty close to Manhattan. The mid 00's and 2010s is the era of New York I am most familiar with. And I feel practically no solidarity with the city. Other people in my demographic and age range seem to feel similarly from conversations I've had. Specifically, those in their teens or early 20s, lower-middle class, and with East European heritage. And by East European heritage, I mean first or second generation. The city is basically a resort for the wealthy and tourists on the one hand, and a ragtag patchwork of various ethnic neighborhoods on the other. Not being from even a moderately wealthy WASP or Jewish family, I always felt little solidarity with other whites. But being white skinned, the plethora of various other ethnic demographics didn't often want much to do with me either. Asians however were often the most accepting of me. (And that positive association with Asians is likely why I moved to Asia once I was able to). In fact, areas like Queens are so scarce of white people in some parts, that my sister was the only white girl in her 7th and 8th grade homeroom classes. It's not just race either, ethnicity is very important. For a time period I went to a school that was heavily dominated by Greeks, and most of my classmates who were Greek wanted little to do with non-Greeks. The other non-Greek in my class was Jewish, and he was equally excluded. I think if you belong to a demographic that has strong representation in New York and live in an area where that demographic is dominant, things can be quite nice. That's why I think so much of New York is self-segregated. Throughout my primary school years I remember being told very often that New York is a "melting pot", and proof that "different races coexist just fine". For a longtime I tried to force that narrative in my head, since its what all my teachers told me. But I have to say it just isn't true. Yes, many different demographics do live in NYC relatively peacefully, but to imply that they don't stick to their own and intermingle only when necessary is deeply fallacious. I guess my last point before ending this long comment, is I want to emphasize just how divided this city is regarding class. I think New York City is one of the cities with the most amount of billionaires. But I personally have never interacted with (to my conscious knowledge) any billionaire or anyone directly related to a billionaire. They are extremely elusive, and it feels like they quite literally live in their own bubble.
Thank you for your perspective, I agree with many of the things that you said, namely that the city has too many rich people. I'm very grateful for what the city still has to offer culturally and intellectually. You have so much in New York that simply is not available to someone who is not there. As someone interested in art and literature, the city's importance cannot be understated. While it is understandable that different groups of people often don't interact willingly, I think it is a benefit to a society to have so many different people in them.
I have been wondering when you'd put another video out, because I just love your work! And, I searched your channel just now and saw you uploaded :) I am sickened by what I see happening all around us, especially in our once-great cities, but especially NYC. I was in NYC briefly last year because we flew in on our way to Maine but because of flight problems, we had to stay in NYC for two days. Neither my husband and I were interested in it because of how it's been managed for two decades, but it was once our dream to visit. To be honest, it was depressing and we ended up spending much of our time in our hotel. This video made me choke up because it shows just how far we've fallen...and now with the riots? I can't even watch what's taking place there. My prayer is that someone will be elected who will have the city's best interest at heart, not their own personal interest. But the people have to vote the bad out and I'm not even convinced that will happen. This was such terrific video essay, Nicole! I wish you'd post more often as I admire the hell out of your work. I hope you are well!
Thanks Nikki! I am sorry to hear that your New York detour was not successful, but that can be tough when you're not intentionally visiting. Though I have been enjoying what I have been reading lately, some of it has not been review-worthy for one reason or another. I have also tasked myself with a lot of non fiction lately and that can be difficult to review. I may have some potentially review-worthy picks coming up however. I am also brainstorming a video essay series, but might have to learn some new tricks beforehand. How about you, have you read anything you enjoyed recently?
thepearlreview I really have enjoyed William Trevor’s writing. He’s an Irish author and I gravitate toward Irish authors...why, I have no idea lol. His book, The Story of Lucy Gault was absolutely incredible. I read it a couple of weeks ago and cannot stop thinking about it. It’s a very depressing book, but those are often my favorites to read. I’ve since purchased his short story collections which he’s most known for. His writing is so....perfect. I’m a fan. I’ve also been re-reading Wallace Stegner because he is just so incredible and his books are pure comfort. I’m currently reading Hard Rain Falling which is unlike anything I’ve ever read. It has me out of my comfort zone, and it’s made me uncomfortable at times, but that’s one of the good things about reading. I want to delve into more non-fiction but I tend to gravitate to fiction heavily and yet I’m not sure why. The world is filled with true stories that are amaze balls, and it kind of makes me wonder why read anything else? I have this sense that non fiction isn’t as well written as fiction, but I’m wondering if that’s just something I’ve noted by my own experience or if someone else pointed this out. But, truly, I do want to read more NF. Another issue may be that book reviewers that I watch review fiction heavily, if not exclusively. The vast majority of books on my shelves are from review channels here on YT. If you have any picks that blew you away, I’d love to know! Thank you for responding to me, btw, and I look forward to anything you bring to us. Video essays are incredible, but probably very time-consuming. The one you just did was excellent, and the one prior(I bought both of those books, btw), but honestly, you do it all so well. I hope you are well and hanging in with all the madness in our country. Books are a great escape and I’ve been more thankful than ever that I’m a reader. Thank you, Nicole!
@@nikkivenable3700 I will have to check out Trevor's books. Have you read Angle of Repose? I have a copy and am meaning the read it. Thanks as always for the kind words - hope you are having in there too!
@@thepearlreview9236 Angle of Repose is absolutely brilliant! It's his magnum opus, which is saying a lot because his all of his writings are so worth the time. I've read nearly everything by him, and if I had to pick a favorite, Angle would be it. Crossing to Safety is another great one as well as Spectator Bird. Aw, I could go on. But you must read it! I hope you will love it...I think you will. The thing with Stegner is he is someone I can read over and over and get more and more out of. I started reading him in my late 20's, and now I'm in my 40's and I swear, he gets better each decade. I don't have another writer on my shelf that is like that for me.
This video is really well-done and thought provoking. I'm not from New York, but I've read and heard about the effects of gentrification particularly on the music scene, with many music venues closing down. There were/are music venues where rent is cheap in New York where all the musicians would hang. It would become the "cool" place, and if it was well run then there would be new developments surrounding the music venues. Eventually the rent would skyrocket, and the music venues would have to close down as they wouldn't be able to afford the rent and consequently killing the music scene with it I'll be sure to check this book out, thank you for this video.
I put New York's death date around roughly 2008-2009. 9/11 and smart phones completely wiped out the "walking the streets" culture but we at least managed to keep good nightclubs and bars to roughly the end of the twenty-first century's opening decade.
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 89 | คู่เอก "ยอดไอคิว vs คิริลล์"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Z3vYkHJ_5Ig/mqdefault.jpg)
Love the Kerouac footage and the Seinfeld clip and all the footage. Can’t imagine how long it took you to put this together. This sounds like a great book. I have a fascination with the New York of the 50s and early 60s, which I suppose is almost completely gone. I’ve never been to New York. Great review as usual.
Glad you enjoyed it 😊 that was the authors favorite period too!
It's always interesting to see the perspective people have about this mythical "old New York", of various eras. I always listen to those tales, or watch those stories, or read those perspectives with a great deal of envy. I grew up in NYC, Queens specifically but by subway pretty close to Manhattan. The mid 00's and 2010s is the era of New York I am most familiar with. And I feel practically no solidarity with the city. Other people in my demographic and age range seem to feel similarly from conversations I've had. Specifically, those in their teens or early 20s, lower-middle class, and with East European heritage. And by East European heritage, I mean first or second generation.
The city is basically a resort for the wealthy and tourists on the one hand, and a ragtag patchwork of various ethnic neighborhoods on the other. Not being from even a moderately wealthy WASP or Jewish family, I always felt little solidarity with other whites. But being white skinned, the plethora of various other ethnic demographics didn't often want much to do with me either. Asians however were often the most accepting of me. (And that positive association with Asians is likely why I moved to Asia once I was able to). In fact, areas like Queens are so scarce of white people in some parts, that my sister was the only white girl in her 7th and 8th grade homeroom classes. It's not just race either, ethnicity is very important. For a time period I went to a school that was heavily dominated by Greeks, and most of my classmates who were Greek wanted little to do with non-Greeks. The other non-Greek in my class was Jewish, and he was equally excluded.
I think if you belong to a demographic that has strong representation in New York and live in an area where that demographic is dominant, things can be quite nice. That's why I think so much of New York is self-segregated.
Throughout my primary school years I remember being told very often that New York is a "melting pot", and proof that "different races coexist just fine". For a longtime I tried to force that narrative in my head, since its what all my teachers told me. But I have to say it just isn't true. Yes, many different demographics do live in NYC relatively peacefully, but to imply that they don't stick to their own and intermingle only when necessary is deeply fallacious.
I guess my last point before ending this long comment, is I want to emphasize just how divided this city is regarding class. I think New York City is one of the cities with the most amount of billionaires. But I personally have never interacted with (to my conscious knowledge) any billionaire or anyone directly related to a billionaire. They are extremely elusive, and it feels like they quite literally live in their own bubble.
Thank you for your perspective, I agree with many of the things that you said, namely that the city has too many rich people. I'm very grateful for what the city still has to offer culturally and intellectually. You have so much in New York that simply is not available to someone who is not there. As someone interested in art and literature, the city's importance cannot be understated. While it is understandable that different groups of people often don't interact willingly, I think it is a benefit to a society to have so many different people in them.
I have been wondering when you'd put another video out, because I just love your work! And, I searched your channel just now and saw you uploaded :) I am sickened by what I see happening all around us, especially in our once-great cities, but especially NYC. I was in NYC briefly last year because we flew in on our way to Maine but because of flight problems, we had to stay in NYC for two days. Neither my husband and I were interested in it because of how it's been managed for two decades, but it was once our dream to visit. To be honest, it was depressing and we ended up spending much of our time in our hotel. This video made me choke up because it shows just how far we've fallen...and now with the riots? I can't even watch what's taking place there. My prayer is that someone will be elected who will have the city's best interest at heart, not their own personal interest. But the people have to vote the bad out and I'm not even convinced that will happen.
This was such terrific video essay, Nicole! I wish you'd post more often as I admire the hell out of your work. I hope you are well!
Thanks Nikki! I am sorry to hear that your New York detour was not successful, but that can be tough when you're not intentionally visiting. Though I have been enjoying what I have been reading lately, some of it has not been review-worthy for one reason or another. I have also tasked myself with a lot of non fiction lately and that can be difficult to review. I may have some potentially review-worthy picks coming up however. I am also brainstorming a video essay series, but might have to learn some new tricks beforehand. How about you, have you read anything you enjoyed recently?
thepearlreview I really have enjoyed William Trevor’s writing. He’s an Irish author and I gravitate toward Irish authors...why, I have no idea lol. His book, The Story of Lucy Gault was absolutely incredible. I read it a couple of weeks ago and cannot stop thinking about it. It’s a very depressing book, but those are often my favorites to read. I’ve since purchased his short story collections which he’s most known for. His writing is so....perfect. I’m a fan. I’ve also been re-reading Wallace Stegner because he is just so incredible and his books are pure comfort. I’m currently reading Hard Rain Falling which is unlike anything I’ve ever read. It has me out of my comfort zone, and it’s made me uncomfortable at times, but that’s one of the good things about reading.
I want to delve into more non-fiction but I tend to gravitate to fiction heavily and yet I’m not sure why. The world is filled with true stories that are amaze balls, and it kind of makes me wonder why read anything else? I have this sense that non fiction isn’t as well written as fiction, but I’m wondering if that’s just something I’ve noted by my own experience or if someone else pointed this out. But, truly, I do want to read more NF. Another issue may be that book reviewers that I watch review fiction heavily, if not exclusively. The vast majority of books on my shelves are from review channels here on YT. If you have any picks that blew you away, I’d love to know!
Thank you for responding to me, btw, and I look forward to anything you bring to us. Video essays are incredible, but probably very time-consuming. The one you just did was excellent, and the one prior(I bought both of those books, btw), but honestly, you do it all so well. I hope you are well and hanging in with all the madness in our country. Books are a great escape and I’ve been more thankful than ever that I’m a reader. Thank you, Nicole!
@@nikkivenable3700 I will have to check out Trevor's books. Have you read Angle of Repose? I have a copy and am meaning the read it. Thanks as always for the kind words - hope you are having in there too!
@@thepearlreview9236 Angle of Repose is absolutely brilliant! It's his magnum opus, which is saying a lot because his all of his writings are so worth the time. I've read nearly everything by him, and if I had to pick a favorite, Angle would be it. Crossing to Safety is another great one as well as Spectator Bird. Aw, I could go on. But you must read it! I hope you will love it...I think you will. The thing with Stegner is he is someone I can read over and over and get more and more out of. I started reading him in my late 20's, and now I'm in my 40's and I swear, he gets better each decade. I don't have another writer on my shelf that is like that for me.
@@nikkivenable3700 yay! I'll have to get to it soon
This video is really well-done and thought provoking. I'm not from New York, but I've read and heard about the effects of gentrification particularly on the music scene, with many music venues closing down. There were/are music venues where rent is cheap in New York where all the musicians would hang. It would become the "cool" place, and if it was well run then there would be new developments surrounding the music venues. Eventually the rent would skyrocket, and the music venues would have to close down as they wouldn't be able to afford the rent and consequently killing the music scene with it
I'll be sure to check this book out, thank you for this video.
Thanks for this brilliant video . I'm in England and have seen similar changes in London with some neighbourhoods like ghost ships .
I put New York's death date around roughly 2008-2009. 9/11 and smart phones completely wiped out the "walking the streets" culture but we at least managed to keep good nightclubs and bars to roughly the end of the twenty-first century's opening decade.
Great stuff
Thank you!
he's literally a transplant. gtfoh