BOOK BRIEF

City of Night

John Rechy
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City of Night

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1994

Book Brief

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John Rechy

City of Night

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1994
Book Details
Pages

400

Format

Novel • Fiction

Genre
Classic Fiction
Setting

United States • 1960s

Topic
LGBTQ+

Sports
Publication Year

1994

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

City of Night by John Rechy explores the journey of an anonymous young man navigating the underworld of gay culture in various American cities. This semi-autobiographical novel delves into themes of identity, sexuality, and solitude as the protagonist encounters diverse individuals on their quest for belonging and self-understanding.

Dark

Gritty

Mysterious

Melancholic

Reviews & Readership

4.2

5,419 ratings

72%

Loved it

20%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

City of Night by John Rechy offers a raw, unfiltered look into the lives of marginalized individuals in urban America. Praised for its bold prose and candid exploration of identity and desire, some readers may find its gritty depictions overwhelming. Despite this, the novel's pioneering portrayal of queer culture remains influential.

Who should read this

Who Should Read City of Night?

Readers who appreciate City of Night by John Rechy are often drawn to gritty, realist explorations of urban life and sexuality. Fans of On the Road by Jack Kerouac and Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin, who value candid, immersive narratives and complex characters, will find resonance in Rechy's evocative prose.

4.2

5,419 ratings

72%

Loved it

20%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

400

Format

Novel • Fiction

Genre
Classic Fiction
Setting

United States • 1960s

Topic
LGBTQ+

Sports
Publication Year

1994

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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