The Street

novel by Petry

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Article History

The Street, naturalistic novel by Ann Petry, published in 1946, that was one of the first novels by an African American woman to receive widespread critical acclaim. Set in Long Island, New York, in suburban Connecticut, and in Harlem, The Street is the story of intelligent, ambitious Lutie Johnson, who strives to live in dignity and to make a better life for herself and her son despite a constant struggle with sexual brutality and racism.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Kathleen Kuiper.