Come Back in September: A Literary Education on West Sixty-Seventh Street, Manhattan

Darryl Pinckney's memoir, Come Back in September, wins the James Tait Black Prize for Biography 2023. It recounts his friendship with Elizabeth Hardwick and Barbara Epstein, his introduction to the New York literary world, and the cultural revolutions and communities he experienced. Pinckney filters the avant-garde life he was exposed to through the moral values he inherited from abolitionist and Reconstruction black culture, showcasing the emergence and evolution of himself as a young man, New Yorker, and intellectual.

Format: Hardback
Length: 432 pages
Publication date: 25 October 2022
Publisher: Quercus Publishing

Winner of the James Tait Black Prize for Biography 2023, A Times Best Literary Non-Fiction Book of the Year, Critic and writer Darryl Pinckney vividly recounts his friendship and apprenticeship with Elizabeth Hardwick and Barbara Epstein, introducing him to the vibrant literary scene of New York.

Arriving in New York City in the early 1970s, Pinckney pursued his studies at Columbia University, where he had the privilege of enrolling in Elizabeth Hardwick's writing class at Barnard. Upon graduating, he was warmly embraced into Hardwick's home as a friend and mentee, fostering a close bond with both Hardwick and her closest confidante, Barbara Epstein, the esteemed founder of The New York Review of Books.

Within the confines of the New York literary world, Pinckney found himself at the epicenter of a vibrant and transformative era. Surrounded by a constellation of renowned writers, including Susan Sontag, Robert Lowell, and Mary McCarthy, he also witnessed the sweeping cultural revolutions and communities that shaped the city: the New Wave in film, rock, and writing; the vibrant art scene featuring artists such as Felice Rosser, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Lucy Sante, Howard Brookner, and Nan Goldin; the profound influence of feminism on American culture and literature; the Black Arts movement grappling with the intersection of black feminism; and the experiences of New Negro veterans as they reclaimed their youth amidst the backdrop of historical retrospection.

Pinckney skillfully filtered the avant-garde life he encountered in downtown New York and the radical intellectual tradition of The Review through the moral values he inherited and adapted from abolitionist and Reconstruction black culture. In his memoir, Come Back in September, Pinckney vividly reminisces about his introduction to New York and the transformative journey into the world of writing. The critic and novelist captures this revolutionary, brilliant, and troubled period in American letters with remarkable intimacy and insight.

Beyond her role as the intellectual conduit to New York, Elizabeth Hardwick became a constant source of inspiration and support for Pinckney. She not only imparted her wisdom and guidance but also provided a nurturing environment that fostered his artistic growth. Pinckney's apprenticeship under Hardwick's tutelage was a pivotal chapter in his literary journey, shaping his perspective and shaping his writing.

In conclusion, Darryl Pinckney's memoir, Come Back in September, stands as a testament to the profound influence of Elizabeth Hardwick and Barbara Epstein on his life and career. Through his vivid storytelling, Pinckney offers a captivating glimpse into the New York literary world of the 1970s, immersing readers in the cultural, intellectual, and social milieu that shaped his artistic development. His apprenticeship under Hardwick's guidance not only honed his writing skills but also instilled in him a deep appreciation for the values and traditions that shaped the African American experience. Pinckney's memoir is a testament to the enduring power of friendship, mentorship, and the pursuit of artistic excellence, resonating with readers far and wide.

Weight: 700g
Dimension: 164 x 242 x 44 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529426045