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TL;DR: In Depression-era Brooklyn, young Anna Kerrigan accompanies her father to meet a nightclub owner, Dexter Styles, and later, when her father disappears, she becomes one of the first women to work as a diver at the Brooklyn Naval Yard during World War II. She finds herself entangled with Dexter again.
Table of Contents
Manhattan Beach at a Glance
| Author | Jennifer Egan |
| First published | 2017 |
| Type | Historical fiction |
| Best for | readers who like rich historical novels set in wartime New York |
Manhattan Beach is a novel by Jennifer Egan, first published in 2017. The novel is Jennifer Egan's first historical novel. It won the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, a few ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it most. The part-by-part section gives away the plot, including the ending, so skip it if you have not read the book yet.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
A visit
Anna meets Dexter.
Disappearance
Her father vanishes.
War
Anna works at the Naval Yard.
Diving
She becomes a diver.
Dexter
She meets him again.
Her father
She learns the truth.
The Summary at a Glance
| Part | In one line |
|---|---|
| A visit | Anna meets Dexter. |
| Disappearance | Her father vanishes. |
| War | Anna works at the Naval Yard. |
| Diving | She becomes a diver. |
| Dexter | She meets him again. |
| Her father | She learns the truth. |
5 Key Takeaways
- Women took new roles in war.
- Family secrets matter.
- Crime and the city overlap.
- Courage includes risk.
- Fathers and daughters are tied.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- The Brooklyn setting is vivid.
- The diving scenes are exciting.
- The structure shifts.
Who Should Read Manhattan Beach?
Read it if you like historical fiction. It is rich.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of Manhattan Beach:
- Which character did you understand best, and what did the author do to make you feel that way?
- Which scene would you change, and what would that do to the ending?
- What does the book say about its main theme that you agree or disagree with?
Quick Facts to Remember
- Book: Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan (2017)
- Type: Historical fiction
- Best for: readers who like rich historical novels set in wartime New York
- Main idea in one line: Women took new roles in war.
Reading Time and Format
Novels differ a lot in length and pace, so check the page count of your edition before you start. If you prefer to listen, many public libraries lend audiobooks through free apps, and a narrated edition can suit a long novel well. Whichever format you choose, a library copy is a low-cost way to try the book before you buy, and used or digital editions are often cheaper than new print copies.
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether Manhattan Beach is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full argument, examples and style, which no short summary can carry.
A simple way to get the most from it: first read the TL;DR and the takeaways to decide if the book fits your interests, then read the part-by-part section for the structure, and finally write down one idea you want to remember or one question you want answered by the full text.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of Manhattan Beach, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary from your copy.
Should You Read the Book?
If you plan to read it, set aside a few evenings and read the opening chapters before you decide. A summary tells you what happens, but the voice and pacing are what make a novel work or not. If you are still unsure, read a free sample or the first chapter, because the opening pages usually show whether the voice and subject suit you. Reviews from readers with tastes like yours can help too, but your own reaction to a few pages is the best test.
Check price of Manhattan Beach on Amazon
What to Read Next
- A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan: Egan's Pulitzer winner
- The Alice Network by Kate Quinn: women and war
- Rules of Civility by Amor Towles: 1930s New York
Related: A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan: Summary and Key Takeaways
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Manhattan Beach a true story?
It is fiction.
Who is Anna?
The protagonist.
What age is it for?
Adults.
Is Manhattan Beach worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for readers who like rich historical novels set in wartime New York. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.
Can this summary replace reading Manhattan Beach?
No. A summary covers the main events and ideas, but it cannot carry the author's voice, detail or pacing. Use it to decide whether to read the book, to refresh your memory or to prepare for a discussion.
What are the main themes of Manhattan Beach?
Manhattan Beach returns again and again to a few big ideas. Women took new roles in war. Family secrets matter. Crime and the city overlap. Courage includes risk. Fathers and daughters are tied. The part-by-part summary above shows where each of these ideas appears in the story.