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Brian Platzer
108 ratings | 31 reviews | avg rating:3.73

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Brian Platzer

Goodreads Author


Born
in New York City, The United States
Website

Twitter
bplatzer

Genre
Fiction, Nonfiction

Influences
James Baldwin, Dave Eggers, Alice McDermott, Philip Roth, Paul Auster

Member Since
December 2016


Brian Platzer is the author of BED-STUY IS BURNING ('17) and THE BODY POLITIC ('20) from Atria/Simon & Schuster, and THE TAKING THE STRESS OUT OF HOMEWORK ('20) from Avery/Penguin Random House. Brian has an MFA from the Johns Hopkins Writing Seminars, and a BA from Columbia University. His writing has appeared often in the New Yorker’s Shouts and Murmurs and McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, as well as in the New York Times, The New Republic, Salon, and elsewhere. He lives with his wife and two young sons in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, teaches middle school English in Manhattan, and suffers from chronic dizziness. ...more

Combine Editions

Average rating: 3.44 · 1,409 ratings · 339 reviews · 4 distinct works • Similar authors
The Optimists
3.68 avg rating — 560 ratings — published 2026 — 5 editions
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Bed-Stuy Is Burning
3.11 avg rating — 497 ratings — published 2017 — 10 editions
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The Body Politic
3.51 avg rating — 317 ratings — published 2020 — 8 editions
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Taking the Stress Out of Ho...
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3.66 avg rating — 35 ratings — published 2020 — 4 editions
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* Note: these are all the books on Goodreads for this author. To add more, click here.

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Brian’s Recent Updates

Brian Platzer made a comment on James’s review of The Optimists
The Optimists by Brian Platzer
" Very astute, thanks, James! "
Apr 06, 2026 02:06PM  · see review
Brian Platzer made a comment on Lauren M’s review of The Optimists
The Optimists by Brian Platzer
" Fantastic--thanks so much, Lauren! "
Apr 06, 2026 02:05PM  · see review
Brian Platzer liked Lauren M's review of The Optimists:
The Optimists by Brian Platzer
"A great, unique story surrounding the life of a teacher and how his star pupil has affected his life throughout the years.

The narrator was so witty, and I loved every second of this book! Will definitely be checking out more of Platzer's work!" Read more of this review »
Apr 06, 2026 02:05PM  · see review ·  preview book
Brian Platzer made a comment on Cathy’s review of The Optimists
The Optimists by Brian Platzer
" Please do! "
Apr 06, 2026 02:05PM  · see review
Brian Platzer liked Cathy's review of The Optimists:
The Optimists by Brian Platzer
"Very enjoyable. Has piqued my interest to read W. Somerset Maughm’s The Razor’s Edge."
Apr 06, 2026 02:05PM  · see review ·  preview book
Brian Platzer made a comment on Alexandra’s review of The Optimists
The Optimists by Brian Platzer
" Thanks so much for such a thoughtful response, Alexandra! "
Apr 06, 2026 02:05PM  · see review
Brian Platzer made a comment on Avasophie’s review of The Optimists
The Optimists by Brian Platzer
" Thanks so much for this kind and perceptive review! "
Apr 02, 2026 08:49AM  · see review
Brian Platzer and 1 other person liked Avasophie's review of The Optimists:
The Optimists by Brian Platzer
"A Novel That Reminds You Why Storytelling Matters
The Optimists is a rare and beautifully crafted piece of literary fiction. Brian Platzer weaves two extraordinary lives together — a devoted teacher and his most dazzling student — across three decades" Read more of this review »
Apr 02, 2026 08:49AM  · see review ·  preview book
Brian Platzer and 2 other people liked Mia's review of The Optimists:
The Optimists by Brian Platzer
"Interesting plot and a likable narrator. "
Mar 29, 2026 02:23PM  · see review ·  preview book
Brian Platzer rated a book liked it
Hollywood Homicide by Kellye Garrett
Hollywood Homicide (Detective by Day, #1)
by Kellye Garrett (Goodreads Author)
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Jan 18, 2026 11:50AM  · 1 like · 
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