41 pages • 1 hour read
Last Exit to Brooklyn
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Book Brief
320
Novel • Fiction
Brooklyn, New York • 1950s
1964
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Last Exit to Brooklyn by Hubert Selby Jr. is a 1958 novel set in Brooklyn, New York, in the 1950s, depicting interconnected lives defined by crime, violence, poverty, drug-use, sex work, and assault. The book's six parts—"Another Day, Another Dollar," "The Queen is Dead," "And Baby Makes it Three," "Tralala," "Strike," and "Coda"—highlight the daily struggles and moral complexities of Brooklyn residents, from young gang members and a transgender woman to a married factory worker and various public housing tenants. Graphic depictions of violence, substance abuse, and sexual assault are present.
Dark
Unnerving
Gritty
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
29,368 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Hubert Selby Jr.'s Last Exit to Brooklyn is lauded for its raw, unfiltered portrayal of urban despair and gritty urban life, often shocking readers with its brutal realism. Critics appreciate its unique narrative style and emotional depth. However, some find its explicit content and dark themes overwhelming and difficult to read. Overall, the novel is seen as a powerful, albeit challenging, literary work.
Who Should Read Last Exit to Brooklyn?
Fans of raw, gritty narratives will appreciate Hubert Selby Jr.'s Last Exit to Brooklyn. Readers who admired the uncompromising depictions of urban despair in Irvine Welsh's Trainspotting or the harrowing, dark realism of William S. Burroughs' Naked Lunch will find similar themes and stylistic approaches in Selby's work.
29,368 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Georgette
Georgette
A transgender woman seeking acceptance in a society unwilling to validate her identity, torn between her tumultuous home life and her search for love and acknowledgment in the outside world.
Tralala
Tralala
A sex worker who claims indifference toward her work, using alcohol and drugs as emotional anesthesia while grappling with the lifestyle she longs for and the harsh realities of her profession.
Vinnie
Vinnie
A small-time criminal involved in various scams and manipulations, including exploiting others for his benefit while striving to enhance his street credibility.
Abraham
Abraham
A self-absorbed resident of a public housing estate who prioritizes his appearance and image over his family's well-being, displaying narcissism and abuse while avoiding any repercussions.
320
Novel • Fiction
Brooklyn, New York • 1950s
1964
Adult
18+ years
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