Our Boston: Writers Celebrate the City They Love

by Andrew Blauner

"Like the remarkable city to which they pay tribute, the pieces assembled in this book are diverse, engrossing, illuminating, emotional, funny — and glorious. Anyone who loves or has ever loved Boston will want a copy." — Claire Messud, author of The Emperor’s Children and The Woman Upstairs

Put together in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombing, an anthology of both original and beloved essays from Boston area writers past and present, celebrating the city they love.  

What defines Boston? Its history? Its landmarks? Its sports teams and shrines? Perhaps the question should Who defines Boston? From Henry David Thoreau to Dennis Lehane, Boston has been beloved by many of America’s greatest writers, and there is no better group of people to capture the heart and soul of the Hub. In Our Boston, editor Andrew Blauner has collected both original and reprinted essays from Boston area writers past and present, all celebrating the city so close to their hearts. Boston is more than a geographic location; it is a state of mind. Whether you're getting cannoli in the North End, watching a game at Fenway Park, or journeying across the Charles River to one of the many thriving metro-area cities and towns, there is a connection between people, a sense of "Boston-ness."

From Mike Barnicle to Pico Iyer, Susan Orlean to George Plimpton, Leigh Montville to Lesley Visser, Pagan Kennedy to James Atlas, here is a collection of the best essays by our best writers on one of America’s greatest cities.

Genres: Nonfiction, Essays

370 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Katy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have lived in the Boston area all my life, but sadly, most of these essays did not resonate with me. There were a few poignant and moving ones that really captured the heart, stubbornness, curious spirit, and resilience of Boston, but sadly this was mostly a sea of waspy, elitist voices of yesteryear. Would've been nice to see a wider range of perspectives. This is *Boston*—home of the traffic and poorly planned street architecture, the crumbling T, parks at every corner, ugly murals and statues, little hole-in-the-wall restaurants, quirky shows in dilapidated basements; we're not all Ivy Leaguers or sports journalists!

[Jay · Rating 2 out of 5]

for every essay that was stirring in any way, there were five that were mostly dumb and poorly written. "Boston isn't what it used to be... back when I was a child.... also I've been living in NYC since young adulthood" you can hear me rolling my eyes

[Kavish Gandhi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uneven at times, but replete with gems, both full stories and mere sentences, about my most favorite place.

[Doreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rate this book as 'amazing' because of its effect on me, personally. Published after the tragedy in Boston, Patriots' Day 2013, this book honors the city of Boston. It honors and memorializes those who were injured or killed on that day, as well as the brave souls who sought to help them.

It's a collection of essays written by people who have a connection to Boston. Some were born in Boston and others attended school there. Some are writers and others are well-respected within their professions. Each essay is unique.

The first story is intense. It's the story of the locals...the story of family and neighbors, preparing for another Patriots' Day marathon. It's heartbreaking. However, while reading this, I was finally able to cry. I hadn't cried yet. More than six months had passed since I left Boston to return home to Connecticut on the day of the bombing. Finally, reading this, I was able to cry. I sobbed uncontrollably. It gave me what I needed.

I recommend that anyone with even the slightest connection with Boston, whether through family, friends, college, or as tourists...read this book. I gave away three copies as Christmas gifts! And part of the proceeds from each book sale is donated to the fund established after the bombing. Boston Strong, always!

This book is respectful toward the people of Boston, the marathoners, the first responders, and especially the experts who were able to hunt down the murdering scum responsible for this tragedy. We won't live in fear. This book validates the courage of all the people who love Boston. I was there last year, like all the years prior...I'll be there this year too!

[Bob Peru · Rating 4 out of 5]

if you're at all familiar with boston, this is a good collection. some great and evocative writing herewith.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that has been on my "to read" list for over a decade. It was originally a book published to raise money for the one fund (I think?) after the Boston Marathon bombings. But I had kind of forgotten about that, and I was thinking of it as just a "celebrate Boston" book. Then I moved back to Boston after a few years away, and I decided to read it. And I remembered - oh right. This is kind of specific to the bombings period. Which really doesn't seem like that long ago, but was astoundingly 12 years ago.
So some of these essays feel a little dated. Some feel very 2013 specific. And then there are odd choices. There's this George Plimpton essay from the early 80s about him taking his daughter to the Harvard/Yale game, which was one of my favorite essays in the book, but also doesn't really feel like it belongs here. And they include Hub Fans Bid Kid Adieu, which is super old and famous, and I also really like it, but it arrives awkwardly when you have just been reading an essay by Dennis Lehane that is really specifically about the marathon bombing. Then there's an essay called "Boston Marriage" that is about roommates, and seems to be here just because its about a "Boston marriage" in Boston.
So yeah. This seemed kind of thrown together. Which I guess it was, because it was a fundraiser! Anyway, I didn't dislike it.

[Jenn Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with any collection, there were some I loved and some that were lacking. No true stinkers. I did see one review where someone noted that if you've never lived in Boston, some of these will make little sense and upon reflection I would agree with that. Second collection I've read recently that included Updike's Hub Fans Bid Kid Adieu about the end of Ted Williams's career. I enjoyed listening but this could have been organized more cohesively.

[Tom · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a collection of essays about Boston (at least to some extent) by authors who have lived in Boston. The idea to collect such essays was conceived after the Boston Marathon bombings. Some of the essays are good and provide some interesting recent history of Boston; some of the essays are terrible.

[Bernard Norcott-mahany · Rating 4 out of 5]

The essays were uneven, some outstanding, others less so. But as a mosaic of people's perspectives on Boston, especially following the horror of the Marathon bombing, it touched my hearts. Some spoke specifically to my neighborhood of Dorchester -- Mike Barnacle had a piece on Dorchester Avenue (AKA Dot Ave) which was quite thoughtful and delightful.

[Karla Helvie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A collection of stories about Boston. I thought I would find this inspirational or moving but instead couldn't wait to be finished. Too much sports, who knew who, and the negatives of Boston. A few stories were good, and I learned a few new Boston facts, but overall didn't enjoy this anthology.

[Zack Hodges · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Good Read

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed these essays about the city both the authors and I love, Boston. Much of the stories were about sports and why not, Boston has the best fans in the world! I especially enjoyed the references to places or people that I'd long forgotten. As expected, there are several references to the Marathon bombing that forever changed Patriots day for all Bostonians. I enjoyed this "read" as an audiobook. All the narrators did a good job interpreting the author's work. My only criticism is that many of the stories ended so abruptly, I was surprised when they ended so had to rewind them many times. This book would be a great beach read this summer.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book at a really awful holiday party at work and it somehow captured so much of why I'm not yet totally sold on Boston. It was too much about sports and ancient history and who people knew - blah. I learned some fun new facts and some stories were good, but by the end, I just wanted to be able to say I'd read them all and move on.

Definitive best: The Classroom of the Real (Pico Iyer)
Most quotable: Pride or Prejudice (Andre Aciman)
Best understanding of the Charles River: In the Long Run (Shira Springer)

If you've lived in Boston, pick it up and read a few. If you haven't, very little of it will make any sense.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is normally the type of book I love; people sharing a city they love for others. Unfortunately, most of these stories focused around a time period and sports stars that I'm unfamiliar with, so a lot of that passion was lost on me. there were a few really good stories in here that left impressions on me (Boston Marriage was my favorite), but overall, I was sorry to say that I couldn't relate enough with most of the stories for this book to be 4 or 5 stars. I have a feeling that many people unfamiliar with classic Boston sports may feel the same as I do.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first story sucked me in - I was crying by page 4. It was a touching description of the marathon bombings that tugged at the heartstrings. Some of the other stories, however, bored me - it was like listening to someone else's older relatives talking about their younger days. But in the end, they were all about the city I love so I still give it a favorable review. The fact that a portion of the proceeds is donated to The One Fund earns this book bonus points.

[Christina Gagliano · Rating 4 out of 5]

A interesting assortment of essays about all things Boston. As usual in a collection like this, some are better than others, but, overall, it's a highly worthwhile read. We are using it as a text in a class on "Writing About Place" that I'm taking at Grub Street and it certainly makes you think about many different ways people can approach the whole concept of "place" and help you write about place better as a result.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd say 3.5 stars. Certainly 4 stars to anyone who has ever lived, studied, stayed in Boston for any period of time. Standout stories include John Updike's New Yorker article from 1960 on Ted Williams last game that stands out (Reads as if he wrote it yesterday). "Hub Fans bid Kid Adieu". David Shribman Bonfire of the Memories, and Tora Mirvis From Somewhere also solid stuff.

[Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this wonderful book as a gift several months ago. I hadn't planned on finishing it on the 1st anniversary of 4/15/2013. Yet, seems appropriate to have done so. Although we didn't say "wicked" in my 'hood(accents not allowed!...Lol, not exactly Dorchester Ave), this is a "wicked" good book.

[Elizabeth Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book of essays on Boston that was put together in the wake of the Marathon bombings, with profits going to the One Fund. In it, many writer capture Boston's spirit, our toughness and sense of community, and of course, our unique accent. All together it is a moving and enjoyable account of the qualities that define our city.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful collection of stories about Boston, some were just okay and some were so amazing they made you cry. A great mix of different types as well- absolutely recommend if you love Boston.

[Andi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of short writings about Boston. Some I liked better than others, as will happen in a collection. But it's about Boston, and a portion of the proceeds went to the One Fund, so four stars for bias.

[Jane B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book of essays about the City of Boston by authors who live here and those who wish they did. Written in the aftermath of the Marathon Bombings, it is a tribute to the city and all who live there. It poignant, funny, sad, happy, stimulating and so much more.

[Adam Morel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Updike and Plimpton carry the others in this compilation of essays celebrating the Hub, the Athens of America, the City on the Hill. Between those two, and considering the project benefits the One Foundation and the victims of the Marathon bombings, this collection is worth your time.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man was John Updike's piece on Ted Williams' last game at Fenway beautiful. Don't know why that sticks with me so much out of all these very enjoyable and well written essays.

[Pam]

Interesting but difficult to read, especially in the beginning where the events of the marathon bombing are so so graphic.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A colleciton of love letters to Boston.

[Will Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting if you want to learn about Boston from writers' point of view. Profits go to good cause.

[Brian Pappas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great stories/essays with most likely the greatest city in the world as a backdrop.

[Lindsey Sparks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable book of essays about Boston. It was a fundraiser after the marathon bombing, so that came up quite a bit, but not as often as the Red Sox and Bobby Orr. I love Boston, and this made me love it even more. My favorite essay was the one about bookstores, and my least favorite was the one by John Updike, the most respected author of the bunch. It was quite boring and dry. Over this was a solid collection.