Ann Petry: The Street, The Narrows (LOA #314) (Library of America)

The Street and The Narrows by Ann Petry is a must-read collection of two landmark novels that delve into the complexities of race, class, sexuality, gender, and power in America.

With unforgettable characters and vivid storytelling, these novels offer an intimate account of the aspirations and challenges faced by black, female, working-class individuals.

The Street follows Lutie Johnson, a young mother struggling to make a better life for her son in Harlem, while The Narrows explores themes of interracial relationships, class, and power through the lens of an adulterous affair between a black scholar-athlete and a white munitions heiress.

Both novels are stylistically innovative and offer a rich sense of history, making this collection a must-read for anyone interested in American literature and social justice.