Seeking NYC-based literature that can be read while matching the story’s exact location (New York: home, live)

[Rollo der Wikinger]

I’m looking for suggestions for books or shorts (not scripts) with storylines based in NYC (preferably Manhattan) that can be read while I am at exactly the same location as the protagonist in the story; in other words, the author would have to be very specific about the different sites ("Upper East Side" or "Chelsea" would not be specific enough).

For example, the protagonist might be moving from the Central Park Mall to Columbus Circle to Rockefeller Plaza to Times Square to Bryant Park to Grand Central Terminal (or wherever), and I would be able to follow him/her in their footsteps. Three locations would already be sufficient.

This is for a date.

Any ideas? Thanks so much!

[WhatTheHellMan]

Catcher in the Rye
Maybe "Here is New York" will work? Haven't read it in a while.

[Doobage]

New York: The Novel by Edward Rutherfurd is actually pretty interesting and names specific locations in Manhattan and the other boroughs. The vast, vast majority of the book doesn't take place in present day, but it still does name some familiar, modern places.

[r small]

Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe. Wolfe knows the city well.

[SanCop]

The taking of Pelham 123 has specific locations that are very acurate right down to subway emergency exits. Just what your looking for (the book that is)

[NJ Brazen_3133]

You are a film student right?

How about The Godfather series

Gangs of New York

[tpk-nyc]

Paul Auster's The New York Trilogy, particularly City of Glass. It's short and all about walking in Manhattan.

[nybbler]

Originally Posted by NJ Brazen_3133

Gangs of New York

That one is going to be tough, since while the locations (obviously) exist, many of the streets and buildings don't.

[JessR927]

My favorite NYC based book is The Ryer Avenue Story, although it's mostly set in the Bronx (specific locations). Manhattan is featured but not a specific street (one main character has a home & office in Greenwich Village, one has a home on the UES). The early parts of the characters' lives are set around Ryer Avenue, E. 183rd, Webster Avenue, Grand Concourse, etc.

[Rollo der Wikinger]

...

Thanks so much, everyone! I truly appreciate it! Those are some great ideas and I will check them out.

Originally Posted by NJ Brazen_3133

You are a film student right?

That's a wild, but amazingly correct guess, although it's not my full-time job (I'm doing it as a hobby, one course at a time). The specific reason for my question is indeed a (first) date, though - apparently, she loves to be read to, so I figured I'd make it a little exiting... I have a week to prepare...

Thanks again!