Maggie: A Girl of the Streets
Maggie: A Girl of the Streets
Book Brief
38
Short Story • Fiction
New York City • 1890s
1893
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Maggie: A Girl of the Streets, by Stephen Crane, chronicles Maggie Johnson’s upbringing in New York’s Bowery neighborhood, her brother Jimmie’s struggles, and her eventual descent into prostitution, influenced by poverty, family violence, and societal expectations. The novella showcases environmental and socio-economic factors shaping people's lives, underscoring issues like alcoholism and the lure of middle-class materialism.
Dark
Gritty
Melancholic
Mysterious
Unnerving
Reviews & Readership
9,672 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Stephen Crane's Maggie: A Girl of the Streets is praised for its raw portrayal of urban poverty and brutal realism, highlighting social issues with stark, descriptive prose. Critics commend its groundbreaking style and emotional impact but note its bleakness can be overwhelming. Some feel it lacks character development and narrative depth. Overall, it's a powerful, if dark, literary work.
Who Should Read Maggie: A Girl of the Streets?
A reader who would enjoy Maggie: A Girl of the Streets by Stephen Crane is likely captivated by gritty realism and social critique, similar to fans of The Jungle by Upton Sinclair or Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser. This reader appreciates poignant, unflinching explorations of urban poverty and the human condition in the late 19th century.
9,672 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Maggie: A Girl of the Streets was initially published in 1893 under the pseudonym Johnston Smith because Stephen Crane was unsure how the novel would be received.
The novel is often considered one of the first works of American naturalism, portraying realistic and sometimes harsh aspects of urban life.
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Stephen Crane was just 21 years old when he self-published Maggie: A Girl of the Streets, and the book sold poorly until his later success.
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38
Short Story • Fiction
New York City • 1890s
1893
Adult
18+ years
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