Farrar Straus & Giroux
Frazier looks at the often-overlooked borough in NYC and its many contributions to culture
November 15, 2024
In Paradise Bronx, Ian Frazier turns his attention to New York’s often-overlooked borough, presenting it as a layered cultural tapestry rather than a backdrop. His approach is part historian, part wanderer; Frazier walks miles of Bronx streets, delving into its storied past and present, from the Native American origins and Revolutionary sites to the birthplace of hip-hop and the unique hum of today’s neighbourhoods.
Through vivid scenes — such as the overpowering sound systems of early hip-hop parties — Frazier captures the Bronx’s essence: a place where resilience and cultural innovation constantly reshape the landscape. He avoids romanticising, choosing instead to highlight its grit, vitality, and complex history with a palpable fondness.
The narrative is punctuated by the lives of the natives, each lending voice to the area’s identity as both fiercely independent and deeply connected to New York’s broader story. Frazier’s work is less a simple tribute and more an exploration, a journey across time and streets that reveals a borough both scarred and triumphant. This chronicle of ‘New York’s greatest borough’ elevates the Bronx to a cultural icon, grounded in its true, resilient character.