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Book synopsis

"Parties: Scenes From Contemporary New York Life" is a cynical and sparkling exploration of the frantic hedonism that defined the end of the Jazz Age. Set against the backdrop of Prohibition-era New York, Carl Van Vechten's novel captures a social circle of weary socialites, artists, and hangers-on who navigate a relentless cycle of cocktail parties, nightclubs, and fleeting romances. The narrative serves as both a vivid chronicle of a specific cultural moment and a sharp satire of the spiritual vacuity hidden beneath the era's glamour.

Through the eyes of characters like David and Rilda Westcott, the work delves into the complexities of modern relationships and the desperate pursuit of pleasure in a world teetering on the edge of the Great Depression. Van Vechten's prose is noted for its sophistication and its unflinching look at the excesses of Manhattan's elite, touching upon themes of boredom, disillusionment, and the search for identity. "Parties: Scenes From Contemporary New York Life" remains a significant literary work of urban life in the early 20th century, offering readers a sophisticated glimpse into the cocktails, conversations, and tragedies of a lost generation.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Book details

• Full title: Parties
• Subtitle: Scenes From Contemporary New York Life
• Author: Carl Van Vechten
• Language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 280
• EAN: 9781025895383
• ISBN: 102589538X
• ID: 51294792
• Publisher: Tradd Street Press
• Weight: 397 g
• Dimensions: 234 × 156 × 15 mm
• Date of publishing: 14. February 2026

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