The Street

Written by Ann Petry

Narrated by Danielle Deadwyler

With a new introduction from New York Times best-selling author Tayari Jones, The Street was Ann Petry's first novel, originally published in 1946 and hailed by critics as a masterwork.
The Street tells the poignant, often heartbreaking story of Lutie Johnson, a young black woman, and her spirited struggle to raise her son amid the violence, poverty, and racial dissonance of Harlem in the late 1940s.

Lutie is confronted by racism, sexism, and classism on a daily basis in her pursuit of the American dream for herself and her son, Bub. Lutie fully subscribes to the belief that if she follows the adages of Benjamin Franklin by working hard and saving wisely, she will be able to achieve the dream of being financially independent.

The first novel by an African-American woman to sell more than a million copies, its haunting tale still resonates today.

“Petry is the writer we have been waiting for; hers are the stories we need to fully illuminate the questions of our moment, while also offering a page-turning good time. Ann Petry, the woman, had it all, and so does her insightful, prescient and unputdownable prose.”—Tayari Jones, New York Times Book Review

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: Aug 20, 2020
• ISBN: 9780358539438

Ann Petry

Ann Petry was the acclaimed author of the adult novel The Street, a groundbreaking literary work about life in Harlem, which sold over a million copies. She also wrote several books for young readers, including Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad, the story of the courageous and heroic woman who struggled and fought for her people before and during the Civil War.

Reviews for The Street

[essence · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beautiful and deeply emotional. I loved the writing it was so skillful. I left feeling like there had to be a part two to the situation and story. I wish she had written a sequel.

[cynthia mccullough · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book. All I can say is wow....

[Adeola Nwabueze · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Enjoyed listening to this. Sad and unexpected turn of events.