Open City Summary

Open City Summary

Julius is a psychiatric fellow at an important hospital, and for only being in his thirties, he has accomplished much in his medical studies. Unfortunately, there are still troubles in his life. He couldn't work things out with his girlfriend, and they ended up separating, and he often wanders New York City. On a walk, he sees Ground Zero, and other local landmarks. As a second-generation Nigerian American, he is passionate about his African roots, and he visits an African burial ground.

His adventure takes him throughout the city over and over, in an ambient, Open way, just discussing his point of view about things, and making observations. We learn as he walks through the city that he is half Black and half German. He meets a Czech lady just a little older than himself, and they start a fling. We learn about their dates and sexual romps, but mostly, the prose sticks to Julius's thought life. Even when he should be invested in his new girlfriend, he is mostly in his thoughts.

He thinks a lot about the internet, and then the prose turns to his ancestry. He decides he will contact his grandmother, hoping to find something. After a lengthy attempt to locate her and to travel and meet her, he ends up not being able to fulfill his task. His thoughts wander to Trans-Atlantic culture, and he discusses the uniqueness of Europe and the uniqueness of America.

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