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43 pages 1 hour read

Jennifer Egan

Manhattan Beach

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2017

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan, Anna Kerrigan, growing up in Depression-era New York, faces her father Eddie's mysterious disappearance, works at the Brooklyn Naval Yard during WWII, and pursues an unconventional dream of becoming a diver, while navigating relationships and uncovering family secrets against the backdrop of the vibrant Brooklyn Naval Yard and Coney Island. Sensitive topics include death and abandonment.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Jennifer Egan's Manhattan Beach is praised for its intricate storytelling and well-researched depiction of World War II. Critics commend its vivid characters and atmospheric setting. Some, however, find the plot sprawling and uneven. Overall, the novel effectively combines historical fiction with a compelling narrative, though it may require patience from readers.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Manhattan Beach ?

Readers who enjoy Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan often appreciate historical fiction with intricate plots and richly developed characters. Fans of works like All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr and The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah will likely be captivated by Egan's atmospheric storytelling and exploration of World War II-era New York.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years