Christ In Concrete

By Pietro di Donato,

Book cover of Christ In Concrete

Book description

Giving voice to the hardworking Italian immigrants who worked, lived, and died in New York City shortly before the Great Depression, this American classic ranks with Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath as one of the 20th century’s great works of social protest.
 
Largely autobiographical, Christ in Concrete opens with the…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Christ In Concrete as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Published the same year as John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath, di Donato’s Christ in Concrete is another closely drawn portrait of working-class immigrants, this time the Italian-American bricklayers of New York City’s Lower East Side.

On top of its lyricism and spirited narrative pace, what I find most refreshing about di Donato’s tale is its choice of subject matter. So much of what we read and hear about the Italian-American experience tends to focus on the Mafia, perpetuating negative stereotypes that have dogged paisans since the late 19th century.

While I’ll never be the one to turn…

From David's list on working life.

Want books like Christ In Concrete?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Christ In Concrete.

Browse books like Christ In Concrete

Book cover of The Jungle
Book cover of Revolutionary Road
Book cover of Let Us Now Praise Famous Men

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,176

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in New York State, Brooklyn, and the Great Depression?

New York State 562 books
Brooklyn 109 books