One of Colson Whitehead’s most original works in terms of structure and content, The Colossus of New York, is also one of the shortest works by the award-winning novelist. This book of lyrical prose was first published in 2003, receiving praise from literary critics and Whitehead’s limited but loyal popular fan base of that time.
The Colossus of New York is the work of a masterful writer, proud of both the sparkling facade and the gritty underbelly of the place he works and lives. In reading Colossus, it is immediately apparent that the author has dedicated this work to the blood and heart of the city, rather than the glamour that is so often represented in film and popular culture. The result is a collection of beautiful, brutally raw edges; unpolished yet brilliant.
This is one of only two non-fiction works written by the winner of two Pulitzer Prizes. Fans of Colson Whitehead will find that this book will only increase their appreciation for the prolific novelist. The Colossus of New York is a masterpiece that can be consumed in a single sitting, and revisited in distinct, powerful installments.