Any given day in New York
Any Given Day in New York —The Fran Lebowitz Reader: Metropolitan Life and Social Studies— is a literary compilation of two books already published: Metropolitan Life (1978) and Social sciences -or Brief manual of civility— (1981). It is about a series of stories that her author, Fran Lebowitz, began writing when she was barely twenty years old, which she ended during her period of isolation, between 2020 and 2021.
The book is made up of more than 65 chronicles narrated in the first person by the Fran lebowitz, In the which opens a door for readers to discover what the New York was like where she grew up and still lives, and how New York society has evolved to date. This is an essay on art, modernity, people and the absurdity of political correctness published by the Tusquets publishing house.
Synopsis of An ordinary day in New York
Metropolitan Life
The first part of the volume is Metropolitan Life —Metropolitan life— the most hilarious section of the book. In the preface to his work, Fran Lebowitz mentions that her material should be taken As follows: “Like a modern art history, very recent, in full gestation.” This presentation was born, perhaps, because the author considers that criticizing is also an artistic activity.
An ordinary day in New York collects all articles published by Lebowitz since the early 80s in magazines Interview y Miss. In them, the scathing critic describes her city in the light of humor, sarcasm, and a position contrary to film correctness that was already present at the time the texts were created.
Social sciences
It is in the second part of the book —Social Sciences— where the reader can find stories about places, everyday situations, always sardonic advice and a fierce and intelligent criticism of the usual dualities that divide people New York. For example, within the text there is an anecdote entitled Diary of a New York Apartment-Hunter, in which the author relates how it is extremely difficult for her to find a decent apartment at an affordable price.
Diary of a New York Apartment-Hunter
Lebowitz's search for an apartment in the city is part of a tour of a series of apartments, each one in worse conditions than the other: decadent, dirty, dilapidated structures, and also very expensive. In the end, the comedian gets angry with her real estate agent and claims him for having shown her a place where, the closest thing to a closet, was a living room and the full kitchen entry in a small refrigerator.
At this, her agent asks her: "Well, Fran, what did you expect for $1.400 a month?" Later, she hangs up on him. In the end, the author narrates that her real estate professional ended the call without giving her time to tell him whichIf you wanted to know the truth, for $1.400 a month I expected the palace winter fully furnished, not to mention an all-inclusive room service.
Lebowitz's Perception
Fran Lebowitz has been compared to the iconic Dorothy Parker, satirist and 1929 O. Henry Award winner. This speaks volumes about how relevant Lebowitz's views have been in New York and the rest of the United States. These opinions —to cite just a few examples included in An ordinary day in New York— they are geared towards the following observations: manners, vocational guide for really ambitious guys and tips for visiting clubs.
Likewise, Fran Lebowitz talks about the concept of "companion", and points out that it has to do with money: the person with the lowest purchasing power is the companion. Lebowitz also talks about how much he hates plants, designer clothes, why he loves to sleep, how to get rich without going to college or having a formal education, and how not to marry a millionaire.
Quotes from Any Given Day in New York to understand Fran Lebowitz
- "I think, however, that if people do not behave in an acceptable way, they should stay at home well clothed and well fed."
- "The fact that I don't show any kind of interest or sympathy for the world of groups can of course be attributed to the fact that my great needs and desires - smoking cigarettes and plotting revenge - are basically solitary tasks."
- “If you feel an urgent and all-consuming urge to write or paint, just eat something sweet and the feeling will pass. The story of his life does not serve to make a good book. Don't even try."
- “The term child-actor is redundant. There is no reason to encourage him further."
- “If you want the child to take private lessons, give him driving lessons. It is easier for him to end up owning a Ford than a Stradivarius ”.
- "Sleep is death devoid of responsibilities."
- "Think before you talk. Read before you think."
About the author, Frances Ann Lebowitz
Fran lebowitz
Frances Ann Lebowitz was born in 1950, in Morristown, New Jersey, United States. One particular fact about Lebowitz was her way of becoming one of the most famous columnists in her country. When the author was 19 years old, she was expelled from Morristown High School for her aggressive and undiplomatic way of being. After taking various jobs to support herself, she met Andy Warhol, who considered her unusual talent for criticism and decided to hire her for Interview.
Since then, Fran Lebowitz became one of the most idolized and hated figures in the entire United States. Opinions about the author are disparate; however, she does not leave half measures, nor does she want to cause them. In 2010, the journalist was nominated for the Gotham Award thanks to the documentary directed by Martin Scorsese: Public Speaking. In 2021, the same director made another film based on his conversations with the writer. The series is currently available on Netflix.
Other works by Fran Lebowitz
- The Fran LebowitzReader (1994);
- Chas and Lisa Sue Meet the Pandas (1994)