The Literary Genre of Fiction Set In New York City

If my novella "Manhattan Morning" fits into a literary genre, it is probably that of fiction set in New York City.

I mention that because "The Shortlist" feature of last Sunday's New York Times book review section was entitled "New York Novels." Therein, author Helen Ellis took a look at five different stories set in The Big Apple.

Before continuing, I should mention that in an earlier post, I reviewed Ellis' short story "Dead Doormen," which -- no surprise -- is also set in Manhattan. The story is part of a book of her stories entitled "American Housewife."

The books Ellis reviews are stories about sexism on Wall Street; the notion that New York is a place where anyone can come to make it big; it's tough to survive in the city, especially with student debt; New York is where people go to make art, and if you do make art there, can you also be a mom?

To be fair, the books are about a lot more than just that and those interested can read Ellis' commentary by clicking on the phrase "New York Novels" in my second paragraph, above.

In contrast, "Manhattan Morning" is about none of those things. Rather, my protagonist is merely passing through Manhattan and, with nothing in particular to do for much of one day, he takes a walk from the Warwick Hotel to Grand Central Terminal, looking at and listening to what that part of the city has to offer. Many things come to his mind as a result of the stimuli, most significantly his relationships with several women.

But he also thinks about art in the context of how it connects and interacts with society: the aesthetics of utopia; as an expression of emptions; to enhance commerce with grandeur, and as an expression of love for one's family.

At the end, a surprise encounter with yet another woman, leaves the protagonist, Dan Morrison, contemplating his future with new eyes and re-examining his values.