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January 10, 2008
Writing on the wall
The Brooklyn Paper
By Adam Rathe
Subway readers, prepare for a new accessory. Last week, “Brooklyn Was Mine,” a collection of essays by local literati — including Jonathan Lethem, Phillip Lopate, Emily Barton and Jennifer Egan — was released and, from what we can tell, it will soon replace paperback copies of “Everything is Illuminated” and rumpled Dawn Powell novels as prime F train literature.
Conceived by Vogue magazine editors Chris Knutsen and Valerie Steiker — he lives in Fort Greene, she lives in Brooklyn Heights — the book is comprised of non-fiction works that range from the very personal (Alexandra Styron’s “A Sentimental Education” delves into her relationship with her father, William, famed author of “Sophie’s Choice”) to more historical — Egan’s “Reading Lucy” follows the life of a Navy Yard worker over five months in 1944.
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However, it isn’t just to crow about the strength of our writers that the book exists, although that would be enough; all of the proceeds from the book’s sales will be donated to Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn, the community action group dedicated to opposing the Atlantic Yards project.“From the very beginning, the idea was, ‘That’s what we’re going to do,’ ” said Steiker. “And it was remarkable that 20 writers immediately passionately jumped on board and were excited to write pieces but also to work for a noble cause.” All of the essays in the book were donated by the writers, who usually command very large paychecks.
Posted by lumi at January 10, 2008 7:54 PM