Map for Novel Lovers

From interviewing a number of creative authors, I’ll make a general observation—a number of them are directionally challenged.  My sense in this area seems to fall somewhere in the average area. I’m not absolutely terrible—but I’m not like some men who are able to tell you if they are headed north (or whatever direction).  I love maps and try to use them often—particularly when I’m in a new city or a different location. It helps me arrive to my meetings on time and without the general panic that comes from being lost.

In honor of last week’s Book Expo in New York City, The New York Times Book Review put together a fascinating Literary Map of Manhattan. A great deal of mainstream publishing transpires in the towering structures on the island. If you love novels, then you will enjoy this interactive literary map of Manhattan which is subtitled, “Here’s where imaginary New Yorkers lived, worked, played, drank, walked and looked at ducks. By Randy Cohen and Nigel Homes.” The printed version is in last week’s Sunday Times. In this case, the online version has some interactive advantages of reading reviews and learning more about these classic books—besides seeing their Manhattan location pinpointed on this map.

As Herman Melville wrote in Moby Dick, “There now is your insular city of the Manhattoes, belted round by wharves as Indian isles by coral reefs—commerce surrounds it with her surf. Right and left, the streets take you waterward. Its extreme down-town is the Battery, where that noble mole is washed by waves, and cooled by breezes, which a few hours previous were out of sight of land. Look at the crowds of water-gazers there.”

Enjoy the experience.