Manhattan Beach Summary
Jennifer Egan

Manhattan Beach Overview

Jennifer Egan's novel, Manhattan Beach, tells the story of three people against the backdrop of New York City during World War II. The first is a young woman who becomes the first female diver at the Brooklyn Naval Yard. The second person focused on is the young female driver's father, is a union lackey who disappears from his family and joins the U.S. merchant marine. The third person the novel focuses on is a boss in an organized criminal syndicate, owns nightclubs and strives to become a legitimate businessman. Egan uses these characters' intersecting stories to explore themes of war, fatherhood, legitimacy, and the American dream.