Bright Lights, Big City

By: Jay McInerney

Narrated by: Daniel Passer

Length: 5 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

The tragicomedy of a young man in New York City, a writer, never named, who works as a fact-checker for a prestigious magazine. He struggles with the reality of his mother's death, alienation, and the seductive pull of drugs and a vibrant nightlife.

©2009 Random House; 1984 Jay McInerney

Critic reviews

"A sidelong look at life in the Big Apple, as experienced by youth that once had hope and aspirations. In spite of the depths to which the main characters descend, the exuberance and humour of the narrative maintains its wonderful disregard for conventional behaviour with great buoyancy. An entertaining read, but it is the resignation and frustration that lingers in the mind that makes this novel so compelling." ( Kirkus)
"A rambunctious, deadly funny novel that goes right for the mark - the human heart." (Raymond Carver)
"The author is one of those reare writers who catches the moods, nuances and manners of a sub-culture with humor, finesse, skill and accuracy. A born stylist and remarkable discovery!" (George Plimpton)

You are on a drug trip

The perspective is novel, but there is nothing profound to the pure spectacle. The story doesn't feel like it progresses anywhere.

Flawed people

...make such interesting characters. I think I fell a little bit in love with this dude although he's got a bit if a Coke habit and can't seem to find people who will truly be his friend. I like that he has a person he can call in the middle of the night, I hope he keeps her. Also, this book was second person all the way through...what the heck?!

Exquisite!

I hear tell this thing is a movie – whatever. Maybe I'll watch it someday. But I seriously doubt it can rival this audiobook. Both the writing and the narration are absolutely perfect.

If you like this novel you might enjoy "Going Postal" by Stephen Jaramillo. Thematically, it's sort of a West Coast slacker version of Bright Lights, but without the dazzling symmetry or 2nd person POV. It's hella funny though.

Great Book, not for everyone

If you could sum up Bright Lights, Big City in three words, what would they be?

Provocative, bratty, brilliant.

What did you like best about this story?

This story follows a broken man who refuses to acknowledge he is broken. It is written in such a way that the reader also refuses to acknowledge this brokenness. This story is also written in second person which is interesting and atypical.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. I didn't, but it was short enough that I could. It was very drawing.

Any additional comments?

Great for those who liked anything by Bret Easton Ellis or Catcher in the Rye.
Some may become uncomfortable with the story line, the frequent use of drugs, and the treatment of women.

Still Great

I read this in one night in college when it came out in 1984. It was the coolest thing.

It stands up these years later.

Not my 80s, but good.

This is definitely a very different experience of the 1980s from what I had. And the character of the narrator seems to be five to ten years older than me, but that is far less significant than geography, cultural, and SES differences. Yet this was an entirely worthy story! It also bore great nostalgia for me, despite the differences of experience. The eighties were a strange, golden, evil time.

A book not meant to be listened to

I liked the content of the book, but the narration fell a bit flat for me, which makes the story suffer more than it should.

awesome

Would you consider the audio edition of Bright Lights, Big City to be better than the print version?

loved the book. The symbolism, the story, and the view of contemporary society. I really enjoyed.

good reader, decent but fast nd unfulfilling story

a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a I 5 1 2 e h

a great period piece for NYC of the early 90's

I thought I was just going to be annoyed with this story but McInerney's self obsessed, obliviously addicted character grows on you as he struggles with his talents and being his own worst enemy. I kind of live vicariously through characters like this since I've never lived in NY. You kind of want to slap him around and say hey cant you see how great you have it but that's the beauty and the device of the story. Just be warned- it's about living in NYC in the early days of Friends and Seinfeld without all the annoying friends and success.