The Fran Lebowitz Reader

A brilliant collection of acerbic, wisecracking and hilarious essays from New York icon Fran Lebowitz, star of Martin Scorsese's hit Netflix series, Pretend It's a City

Fran Lebowitz is a New York legend. Arriving in the city over fifty years ago, she made her name as a columnist on Andy Warhol's Interview magazine, before publishing two bestselling collections of essays. She's one of America's most insightful social commentators, a sought-after public speaker, a style icon, wit and flaneur.

In these essays, Lebowitz turns her trademark caustic wit to everything from children ('rarely in the position to lend one a truly interesting sum of money'), to novelty ice cubes ('flowers belong in one's lapel, not in one's bourbon') and landlords ('it is the solemn duty of every landlord to maintain an adequate supply of roaches'). And her attitude to work is the perfect antidote to our exhausting culture of self-betterment ('3.40pm. I consider getting out of bed. I reject the notion as being unduly vigorous. I read and smoke a bit more').

'Great people talk about ideas, average people talk about things and small people talk about wine'
'Think before you speak. Read before you think'
'All God's children are not beautiful. Most of God's children are, in fact, barely presentable.'
'If your sexual fantasies were truly of interest to others, they would no longer be fantasies.'

About the Author

Arriving in New York over fifty years ago, Fran Lebowitz made her name as a columnist on Andy Warhol's Interview magazine, before publishing two bestselling volumes of essays, Metropolitan Life and Social Studies, which are collected in The Fran Lebowitz Reader. She is one of America's most insightful social commentators, a sought-after public speaker, style icon, wit and flaneur.

Fran Lebowitz has collaborated with Martin Scorsese on two documentaries: the film Public Speaking in 2010, and the limited series, Pretend It's a City in 2021. Lebowitz lives in New York City, as she does not believe that she would be allowed to live anywhere else.