Heart of the City

January 17, 2011
Inspired by his parents' story of meeting in Washington Square Park, National Book Critics Circle Award-winner Sabar (for My Father's Paradise) looks at the "environmental psychology" of New York City's iconic public spaces and asks, "Could some places actually encourage people to take the first steps toward falling in love?" A chance meeting in 1941 between a runaway teenage girl and a sailor in Central Park results in a marriage of 64 years. A recently separated woman taking the ferry to the Statue of Liberty meets a vacationing man and marries him two years later. Sabar introduces these stories with descriptions of the locations; rather than adding insight, however, they reveal an attempt to deepen a thin premise. Central Park, for instance, was conceived of "a social philosophy: that a city riven by economic stratification owed its masses an oasis from the ravages of toil." When a man meets his future wife in the subway, Sabar could be describing the city itself when he notes its appeal: "Anonymity-the ability to be simultaneously surrounded by and withdrawn from other people." Sabar may want readers to deeply consider his thesis but the strength of this effort lies in its sweetness.

June 1, 2011

This collection of nine stories by Sabar (www.arielsabar.com), author of the National Book Critics Circle Award winner My Father's Paradise (2008), tells of real-life couples who met by chance in New York City's public spaces. Sabar prefaces the book with a lengthy and informative discussion of his research into environmental psychology and the landmarks of his favorite city; the stories that follow, which closely resemble the "how we met" accounts found in local papers, feature characters from diverse backgrounds and share in common happy endings. Musician/narrator Neil Shah's performance helps to impart a warm-hearted sweetness to the players in these chance encounters. This collection will appeal to New Yorkers for the love that Sabar lavishes on "The City" as well as to anyone enjoying charming, uplifting tales of romance.--Nancy R. Ives, SUNY at Geneseo

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