In Praise of Ann Petry

I first read The Street with my Black Women Writers book group decades ago and the story has stayed with me. We had a great discussion about the ways things have changed for black women and the ways they have not changed. We also debated the choices Lutie made - very interesting topic. Thanks for this tribute to Ann Petry, a great writer. I will reread her books.

Thank you for writing this article. I read this book upon your recommendation and still find its tragic story relevant today. It was the kind of book that I truly enjoy: intelligent, from the heart, straight forward and having many memorable characters, unsympathetic as they may be.

In 2004, when Columbia University was celebrating its 250th Anniversary, at the suggestion of Professor Manning Marable, I proposed to the "new media" unit I was working for that we do a section about Columbia 250 Celebrates Harlem. The whole site is still up, including the interview I did with Professor Farah Griffin about Ann Petry's The Street, a book I had never heard of then. (I gave every interviewee the right to talk about what was important to them about Harlem). The whole Harlem section is still up as is the Ann Petry interview--and although the video no longer plays (unless the format were to be upgraded), the transcript is also there and that can be read. Here is the link: http://c250.columbia.edu/c250_celebrates/harlem_history/griffin.html Vivian Ducat NYC

This is why I subscribe to the NYT. I, also, had no expsoure to this writer at Indiana University. Shame. But happy now. Local library had all books featured, and now...so do I!

Great book. I read Donald Bogle's biography about Dorothy Dandridge that she was suppose to star in a movie version of "The Street." The film never came to be. It's still not too late to do it Ava Duverney, Bill Duke, Spike Lee, Steve McQueen, Oprah Winfrey...

Thank you, Ms. Tayari Jones for the wonderful article on Ann Petry. I did read "The Street" in college but was unaware of her other books. Will re-read "The Street" and her other books. Also, I wanted to take the opportunity praise your latest novel, "An American Marriage" , loved every page of it. Keep up the good work!

I first read Ann Petry about 25 years ago with great delight. But as someone who reads "everything," I was shocked and dismayed that I had never heard of her. Why hadn't she been taught or even mentioned in my many English classes? Why had I never seen her name in the book reviews I read incessantly? She is overdue for some well-deserved recognition. I hope she gets it... and I hope that readers will not miss out on an outstanding writer.

Both The Street and The Narrows are included in an Ann Petry volume that is to be published as part of the Library of America series in January

I am thankful, blessed and yes, proud, that me, a child born in Brooklyn, and attended poor, miseberable, poor, school, but developed an interested in language, reading, books, especial books about people of color, (I have gathered a generous collection)! So proud of that!!!! I was aware, knew of Ann Perry. Thank you for sharing this story.

Colleague became ill recently and I had both to read and teach Ann Petry's The Street in a hurry. Very impressed and entertained. Didn't seem at all dated in the way I'd expected for a 1946 novel.

Thank you for sharing. When I was a college tutor, I had the chance to go to a student's class and be introduced to Nella Larsen's novel "Passing," set in the 1920s. Despite my own lit studies, I had somehow missed this treasure. I will have to find "The Street" and dig into Ann Petry's world.

Thank you. This is a novelist I hadn't heard of before. Because of your excellent introduction, I have purchased 'The Street' and her short story collection (I am a fan of short story writing and always looking for new authors.) I did read 'Tituba' by her as a kid, it opened up my interest in the Salem witch trials. Again, thank you.

As a writer and teacher, I appreciate so much learning more about Ms. Petry and her stupendous work. Thank you. I'm going to make her a part of my teaching and scholarship going forward.

When my book club read "Bedrock Faith", the author, Eric Charles May, joined us. During the discussion, he spoke of Ms. Petry's work and I was inspired to read "The Narrows". Wonderful book, and I am so glad to see this article. Ms. Petry has not received the attention that is her due. Hope that changes.

Thank you so much for this appreciation. The Street is a masterpiece. Ann Petry really has been overlooked. I hope more people investigate her now.

I read The Street almost thirty years ago and it remains one of my all-time favorite novels. I agree, Ann Petry's work should be a staple of English courses in high school and college. The Street is as relevant today as it was seventy-two years ago when it was first published. Thank you for reminding me how special this author is to me.

Finally! I first read The Street when I was 15 — 30 years ago. My English teacher gave it to me to read because I was doing a paper on The Color Purple. I assume she thought it would help flesh out the era for me. (My teacher was white, as am I.) I still remember the emotional impact the book had on me. I have been telling people about Ann Petry ever since and wondering when she would catch on! Thank you!

I will order a book of Ann Petry. I did not know her and with this compelling article I realise she was a writer to be read as she depicts and witnesses a crucial reality for modern independent women. It is worth recovering women literary voices that can be proven to be unique and brilliant despite the silence they did not deserve.

A beautiful and quietly moving book.

Read and love The Street years ago thanks to an African American Lit class. Thank you for the other Petry suggestions.

Read The Street, as relevant today as when it was written. A great American novel about the great American problem. So much truth that it's almost too painful to ever re-read. And so then you feel you must DO something.

I hope that more people will get to read more of Ms. Petry's writing. She seemed to be a fascinating writer, and the topics she wrote of decades ago are still relevant today.

I read this years ago. I'm going to re-read it and look forward to to a new level of appreciation after reading your remarks.

Good review but more exposition and less truculence please.

Me, too. I can't wait to read this novel.

There’s a Library of America volume of her work forthcoming.

The Street was one of the books we discussed at the reading group at my local library. It was ten years ago and while I don’t recall the details of the story, I still remember how absorbing it was, how caught up I felt in the world Petry painted. I also remember how surprised I’d been that I hadn’t heard of her before. It’s time to introduce her to a new generation. Thanks for your lovely tribute. I’m going to look for my copy and re-read it.

Thanks, Ms. Jones, for guiding to Ann Petry's novel. Can't wait to read it.