Whitehead’s experiences— an upbringing in Manhattan, private schools, and summers at his parents’ beach house — inspired “Sag Harbor.” He spent three summers, for example, working in an ice cream shop, and in one of the book’s best chapters, Benji describes his time as a scooper of ice cream and molder of waffle cones.Is Accessible For Free: false

Why did Colson Whitehead become a writer?

Whitehead, who appears on TIME’s cover this week, has found inspiration for his work in everything from his childhood summers in the Hamptons to zombie films. “The intent is for me to figure out through my art how America works, how people work, and hopefully readers come along for the ride,” he says.

What is Sag Harbor book about?

Sag Harbor is a 2009 novel by author Colson Whitehead. The novel’s main character is Benji, an African American teenager spending the summer in a black enclave of his predominately white and close-knit town along with his brother Reggie. Set in 1985, the novel touches on themes of race, class, and commercial culture.

Is Sag Harbor autobiographical?

“Sag Harbor,” which came out on Monday, is, strictly speaking, Mr. Whitehead’s fourth novel. It’s also a first novel that he has only just now got around to writing: an autobiographical, first-person, adolescent-coming-of-age story — exactly the kind of book he was determined not to write when he was getting started.

What is Colson Whitehead known for?

Whitehead is the New York Times bestselling author of The Intuitionist, John Henry Days, The Colossus of New York (a book of essays about the city), Apex Hides the Hurt, Sag Harbor, Zone One, and The Noble Hustle.

Is Colin Whitehead married?

A new book from MacArthur Genius and award-winning author Colson Whitehead guarantees three things: a beautiful, snappy, and surprising prose style; a full-hearted commitment to the author’s subject, whether that be poker, the Deep South, or teen angst; and a reading experience cocooned in Whitehead’s seemingly

Who is Colson Whitehead’s wife?

Whitehead lives in Manhattan and also owns a home in Sag Harbor on Long Island. His wife, Julie Barer, is a literary agent and they have two children.

Who are Colson Whitehead’s parents?

Born Arch Colson Whitehead on November 6, 1969, novelist Colson Whitehead spent his formative years in Manhattan, New York with his parents, Arch and Mary Anne Whitehead, who owned a recruiting firm, and three siblings.

What does Dag mean in Sag Harbor?

Dag is an Australian and New Zealand slang term, also daggy (adjective). In Australia, it is often used as an affectionate insult for someone who is, or is perceived to be, unfashionable, lacking self-consciousness about their appearance and/or with poor social skills yet affable and amusing.

Does Colson Whitehead teach?

He has taught at the University of Houston, Columbia University, Brooklyn College, Hunter College, New York University, Princeton University, Wesleyan University, and been a Writer-in-Residence at Vassar College, the University of Richmond, and the University of Wyoming.