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Two
One of the many ways Meg and Reid are “opposite” is in their feelings about New York City. Do you think you’d react to New York more like Meg, or more like Reid, and why?
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Karen Walker
25 days ago
Can I say both? I used to live in San Francisco and I’ve visited NYC. Cities are gross. They are dirty and not safe for a woman alone after dark. But, they also have loads of culture, great food and tons to do at any time of day. Let’s just say I have a love hate relationship with them.
I also wonder though, how much of Reid’s perception of the city comes down to the place he works and their lack of morality.
I have never been to a big city like that, but i think i would like all the options of things to do and places to go and places to eat, but i would also be alittle weary as well like you said about woman being alone in the dark and how trashy people can be to downgrade the city. I just started but i think Reid could have a clouded judgement of the city based on where I’m at so far.
I couldn’t have put it in better words. I am just starting the book, but I get the impression there’s more to his “hate” of New York then the city itself.
I agree, I think his dislike of the city has more to do with his work situation. And I’m sure he must associate that behavior with the city as a whole.
Maya
25 days ago
I would think like Ried I felt like I thought like him
Marie
24 days ago
I can see both point of views. But it’s interesting how they are manipulated through out the story. I loved the view of Meg and and artistic approach of her point of view but also understand some of the reasoning behind Reid’s. But I don’t believe his reasoning is totally true because of the twist.
Krobinson, I agree with you. I have visited, seen plays mostly and it was fascinating. Living there would be very different and very expensive.
Krobinson
24 days ago
Because after a while the hustle and bustle was too much.
Alexis McCarthy
24 days ago
Im new here hello
Dodi
24 days ago
I would live in NYC if I could afford it. I lived there for seven years and go to visit as often as possible. (Not much now during corona life 🙁 )
Sonia
24 days ago
I was born and raise in Florida so New York is completely different. I have been to New York and have very much enjoyed it but do enjoy coming back to a slower pace state. Not sure if Reid’s hatred towards New York was so much with the state but what he was living through. I don’t think he ever seem to be completely happy with his job which tarnish his experience there.
I agree, I think his work situation and all the stress it was putting him through is why he disliked it. It wasn’t necessarily the city itself.
Wendy
24 days ago
I would like to be like Meg but I’m afraid I’m more like Reid. I loved seeing NYC from Meg’s eyes truly looking at the beauty there and the learning opportunities to see. I see what others point our to me.
When I was Meg’s age (many moons ago) I would totally relate to New York like Meg, but the older me is totally like Reid:(
Gigi Bull
23 days ago
I think I would react as a combination of the two. I love New York visually, especially at night, but I feel overwhelmed and happy to return home to my quiet, greener suburb.
Esther Arriola
23 days ago
I could relate more to Meg’s point of view of the big city. It may feel intimidating at first, but you come to love certain aspects of it that only a big city can provide.
Estelle O
23 days ago
I’m from Brooklyn and I love it. There are things I’m not crazy about but there are more things I like – the food, the shops, the convenience, being on the leading edge of things, the variety etc etc
Pamela Williams
23 days ago
Although I really like the culture and vibe of New York, I much prefer to be a tourist rather than resident. I am much more comfortable in a more rural/suburban area. I like open space.
D.Warren
23 days ago
The times I’ve been to NYC, I’ve felt both like Ried (all the ppl), and Meg (open to adapt).
Lori
23 days ago
I’m more like Reid. I have visited New York and enjoyed it, but it’s not the kind of place I would enjoy living. But like Reid, I’m not a real social person so NYC is a bit overwhelmingly crowded and busy for me. I can see why Meg and so many other love it but it’s more of a vacation destination for me.
GLB
23 days ago
Meg because I like traveling and I like being immersed in other cultures
Kim
23 days ago
I fee the way Meg does . New York is a very unique city .
Theresa Snipe
23 days ago
New York is my home and I glad I had a chance to grow up there but I prefer not to have the crowds and the expense as an everyday occurrence. So visiting 2-3 times a year works for me.
Maya
22 days ago
I just finished the book and I am starting to think that I might feel like a combination of the two but I don’t know what and why I think it
tdhAdams
22 days ago
I grew up in a small town and longed to live in a big city such as New York. I did move to Nashville, TN and Louisville, KY, which we bigger than where I grew up. Over the years, I learned that I love the hustle and chaos of getting lost in a big city, but truly need the quiet, personal connection of being know by my neighbors. I think I initially would be like Meg and welcome the adventure, but after the “new” wore off, I would be more like Reid and long for familiarity.
Ddavis
22 days ago
I agree more with Reid. New York city isn’t on my top 300 places i want to visit, let alone live. But anyplace can be good when you are with people you love.
Cokat
22 days ago
I could see both points of view but why I didn’t get was how she would never even consider leaving New York. Even if you like NYC, there are other great cities too. Wouldn’t you at least discuss other places if the person you love can’t stand Néw York?
Pat Ingersoll
22 days ago
Meg loved NYC because she had a friend. Reid was lonely in the city. The most important thing is to have a friend, no matter where you live.
Lynze
22 days ago
Coming from living close to NYC, I am definitely with Reid on this one! I never quite found the city charming. My husband is the opposite and thrived there.
Nikki
22 days ago
I don’t think I’d be able to adapt to NYC. So many people, yet you’d know so few. It seems like such an impersonal city. Big, noisy, crowded, and dirty.
I guess I’m just a Pittsburgh girl at heart. The city proper is small, and the surrounding areas are suburbs where you live and shop amongst neighbors you know. It’s easy to pop into and out of the urban environment.
Lisa C
22 days ago
More like Reid, I live in a rural community – I don’t think I’d enjoy all the noise and crowdedness.
Karen
21 days ago
I enjoy visiting NYC but don’t think I could ever live in a big city. I can enjoy the culture and food but then get home where I have space and quiet.
Anne
21 days ago
Definitely more like Meg. I love the energy of a big city. Walking down a street, window shopping, going to museums, trying little restaurant, relaxing in Central park. What fun. Crowded subway, traffic noise, outrageous price…not so much.
Cheyanna
21 days ago
I’ve been to NYC a couple of times and I definitely felt like Reid, the smell, the crowds, the construction. I think it takes someone who loves it there to show you places to eat, clubs to go, shows to see! Meg’s creativity in looking for signs would be a beautiful way of seeing the city with fresh eyes!
Jennifer
21 days ago
Meg. I have never been to NY but it is on my bucket list. I have friends and family who live there and I think I would like the cultural experiences. I live on the west coast and am a bit of an introvert so would probably tire of the big city.
Mary
21 days ago
I think more like Reid. Because going there without knowing anyone puts you at a disadvantage. Meg came home everyday to a friend, a life long friend.
Melanie
21 days ago
More like Reid. I’d love to visit NYC, but not live there. I like nature, trees, blue sky and uncrowded spaces.
Kris A Godden
20 days ago
Definitely like Reid. I am a homebody who stays away from crowds. I enjoy time with my large family and long days in my hobby farm with the animals.
Mae Beth
20 days ago
More like Reid. I’m a small town girl at heart
Donna
20 days ago
I would definitely be like Reid. I’m not a big city girl. I do not like large crowds. I do however enjoy the type of small dining establishments that Meg & Reid frequented.
Debra Oliver
20 days ago
I’d be more like Meg. I’m a city girl.
Maddy
19 days ago
I love looking at walls and signs in Cities, especially the old mural advertisements that are fading away. So I would say Meg. Though after visiting any City I am usually exhausted, being an introvert….
Kim
19 days ago
When I visited NYC, I was taken with the culture and colors and all the things to explore, but the constant noise was sensory overload to this gal used to small cities and towns. I think I would be more like Reid, overwhelmed but learning to love it.
mattie
19 days ago
I’m with Reid in disliking New York City. I used to have to go there for work periodically, and I hated the noise, crowding and coldness of the people. I never found any restaurant that had good food, and I tried lots of different price levels. It’s odd to read a love letter to a city while there is a pandemic and people have been fleeing NYC. So much of the life described in the book is now impossible.
Makayla
19 days ago
I feel like I would like New York City like Meg but react like Reid. Does that make sense ?
Jessica
19 days ago
I think it takes time to settle in to new surroundings, often we compare them unfavorably to “home”. But if you settle in, join groups, become a part of the area you will find a new place to call home.
JoAnn
19 days ago
I would be more like Reid as I am more at home in a quiet rural village
Kathleen Yohn
19 days ago
Definitely Meg! I love cities!
Laurie Bircher
19 days ago
I would probably be more like Reid. I love New York in small doses. And I also love it for the food.
Katherine Burlew
19 days ago
I am definitely a Meg! I love New York and no city is too big! I love living in a place that never gets boring, even if I spend my whole paycheck on rent!
SBevRN
19 days ago
I visited NYC/Brooklyn for a week almost 2 years ago. It was amazing! I couldn’t live there, though. It started to get overwhelming and I was scared to lose sight of my friend that I was visiting. He loves it, though, and can’t imagine living anywhere else. I’m looking forward to another visit, but that’s all it will be for me.
Dawn
19 days ago
Well, my daughter just moved to Brooklyn, is crazy about the food there, and she had a lettering book growing up and loved to create beautiful letters. Also, she happens to have psoriasis, so I had many moments of connection as I read this book. I would be more like Reid, disliking the city and the noises and the smells and the garbage, but my daughter absolutely loves Brooklyn. And, she is a math teacher, like Reid becomes! The intimate scenes were beautiful. I loved the idea of walking around and taking pictures of letters to write out their name… Read more »
Mandi
19 days ago
I think this would depend on which area I was living in. If it was a more tourist-y spot, with big crowds and lots of noise, I would hate it. But if it was a quieter area I would probably enjoy it. Cities have so much to do, so many restaurants and shows, that I would enjoy that part. Also depends on my time of life: as a younger adult I would probably love NYC, but as I’m now older I don’t think I would enjoy it as much.
Jessica
19 days ago
As someone who lives right across the river, I have to say I am more like Reid. Maybe I have been spoiled to have the city right at arms reach…. but I don’t like going into the city unless I have a purpose to do so and I absolutely have to. I can see why people love the city also but I just like the calmness of New Jersey (although it is still busy and crowded … just not quite as much as NYC)
Jenn
19 days ago
Much like Meg and Reid being at two very different points of their lives — Meg finally falling into step with her business, while Reid is drowning in work problems — my answer would heavily depend on what was going on in my life! I have loved living in cities, big & small, but it all comes down to what is surrounding you, not just the physical place that you occupy.
Can I say both? I used to live in San Francisco and I’ve visited NYC. Cities are gross. They are dirty and not safe for a woman alone after dark. But, they also have loads of culture, great food and tons to do at any time of day. Let’s just say I have a love hate relationship with them.
I also wonder though, how much of Reid’s perception of the city comes down to the place he works and their lack of morality.
I have never been to a big city like that, but i think i would like all the options of things to do and places to go and places to eat, but i would also be alittle weary as well like you said about woman being alone in the dark and how trashy people can be to downgrade the city. I just started but i think Reid could have a clouded judgement of the city based on where I’m at so far.
I have visited San Francisco I think it is great but there is some stuff I am not too sure about
I couldn’t have put it in better words. I am just starting the book, but I get the impression there’s more to his “hate” of New York then the city itself.
Yeah, I really want to know what happened between Reid and April.
You mean Avery ?
I do agree with you on Reid’s perception.
I agree, I think his dislike of the city has more to do with his work situation. And I’m sure he must associate that behavior with the city as a whole.
I would think like Ried I felt like I thought like him
I can see both point of views. But it’s interesting how they are manipulated through out the story. I loved the view of Meg and and artistic approach of her point of view but also understand some of the reasoning behind Reid’s. But I don’t believe his reasoning is totally true because of the twist.
I totally agree. I feel like I would be a little bit of both.
Agreed. Always more to the story:-)
Combination. Worked in NY once a week, loved getting there and loved leaving there.
Krobinson, I agree with you. I have visited, seen plays mostly and it was fascinating. Living there would be very different and very expensive.
Because after a while the hustle and bustle was too much.
Im new here hello
I would live in NYC if I could afford it. I lived there for seven years and go to visit as often as possible. (Not much now during corona life 🙁 )
I was born and raise in Florida so New York is completely different. I have been to New York and have very much enjoyed it but do enjoy coming back to a slower pace state. Not sure if Reid’s hatred towards New York was so much with the state but what he was living through. I don’t think he ever seem to be completely happy with his job which tarnish his experience there.
I agree, I think his work situation and all the stress it was putting him through is why he disliked it. It wasn’t necessarily the city itself.
I would like to be like Meg but I’m afraid I’m more like Reid. I loved seeing NYC from Meg’s eyes truly looking at the beauty there and the learning opportunities to see. I see what others point our to me.
I agree. I liked seeing the city through Megs eyes.
When I was Meg’s age (many moons ago) I would totally relate to New York like Meg, but the older me is totally like Reid:(
I think I would react as a combination of the two. I love New York visually, especially at night, but I feel overwhelmed and happy to return home to my quiet, greener suburb.
I could relate more to Meg’s point of view of the big city. It may feel intimidating at first, but you come to love certain aspects of it that only a big city can provide.
I’m from Brooklyn and I love it. There are things I’m not crazy about but there are more things I like – the food, the shops, the convenience, being on the leading edge of things, the variety etc etc
Although I really like the culture and vibe of New York, I much prefer to be a tourist rather than resident. I am much more comfortable in a more rural/suburban area. I like open space.
The times I’ve been to NYC, I’ve felt both like Ried (all the ppl), and Meg (open to adapt).
I’m more like Reid. I have visited New York and enjoyed it, but it’s not the kind of place I would enjoy living. But like Reid, I’m not a real social person so NYC is a bit overwhelmingly crowded and busy for me. I can see why Meg and so many other love it but it’s more of a vacation destination for me.
Meg because I like traveling and I like being immersed in other cultures
I fee the way Meg does . New York is a very unique city .
New York is my home and I glad I had a chance to grow up there but I prefer not to have the crowds and the expense as an everyday occurrence. So visiting 2-3 times a year works for me.
I just finished the book and I am starting to think that I might feel like a combination of the two but I don’t know what and why I think it
I grew up in a small town and longed to live in a big city such as New York. I did move to Nashville, TN and Louisville, KY, which we bigger than where I grew up. Over the years, I learned that I love the hustle and chaos of getting lost in a big city, but truly need the quiet, personal connection of being know by my neighbors. I think I initially would be like Meg and welcome the adventure, but after the “new” wore off, I would be more like Reid and long for familiarity.
I agree more with Reid. New York city isn’t on my top 300 places i want to visit, let alone live. But anyplace can be good when you are with people you love.
I could see both points of view but why I didn’t get was how she would never even consider leaving New York. Even if you like NYC, there are other great cities too. Wouldn’t you at least discuss other places if the person you love can’t stand Néw York?
Meg loved NYC because she had a friend. Reid was lonely in the city. The most important thing is to have a friend, no matter where you live.
Coming from living close to NYC, I am definitely with Reid on this one! I never quite found the city charming. My husband is the opposite and thrived there.
I don’t think I’d be able to adapt to NYC. So many people, yet you’d know so few. It seems like such an impersonal city. Big, noisy, crowded, and dirty.
I guess I’m just a Pittsburgh girl at heart. The city proper is small, and the surrounding areas are suburbs where you live and shop amongst neighbors you know. It’s easy to pop into and out of the urban environment.
More like Reid, I live in a rural community – I don’t think I’d enjoy all the noise and crowdedness.
I enjoy visiting NYC but don’t think I could ever live in a big city. I can enjoy the culture and food but then get home where I have space and quiet.
Definitely more like Meg. I love the energy of a big city. Walking down a street, window shopping, going to museums, trying little restaurant, relaxing in Central park. What fun. Crowded subway, traffic noise, outrageous price…not so much.
I’ve been to NYC a couple of times and I definitely felt like Reid, the smell, the crowds, the construction. I think it takes someone who loves it there to show you places to eat, clubs to go, shows to see! Meg’s creativity in looking for signs would be a beautiful way of seeing the city with fresh eyes!
Meg. I have never been to NY but it is on my bucket list. I have friends and family who live there and I think I would like the cultural experiences. I live on the west coast and am a bit of an introvert so would probably tire of the big city.
I think more like Reid. Because going there without knowing anyone puts you at a disadvantage. Meg came home everyday to a friend, a life long friend.
More like Reid. I’d love to visit NYC, but not live there. I like nature, trees, blue sky and uncrowded spaces.
Definitely like Reid. I am a homebody who stays away from crowds. I enjoy time with my large family and long days in my hobby farm with the animals.
More like Reid. I’m a small town girl at heart
I would definitely be like Reid. I’m not a big city girl. I do not like large crowds. I do however enjoy the type of small dining establishments that Meg & Reid frequented.
I’d be more like Meg. I’m a city girl.
I love looking at walls and signs in Cities, especially the old mural advertisements that are fading away. So I would say Meg. Though after visiting any City I am usually exhausted, being an introvert….
When I visited NYC, I was taken with the culture and colors and all the things to explore, but the constant noise was sensory overload to this gal used to small cities and towns. I think I would be more like Reid, overwhelmed but learning to love it.
I’m with Reid in disliking New York City. I used to have to go there for work periodically, and I hated the noise, crowding and coldness of the people. I never found any restaurant that had good food, and I tried lots of different price levels. It’s odd to read a love letter to a city while there is a pandemic and people have been fleeing NYC. So much of the life described in the book is now impossible.
I feel like I would like New York City like Meg but react like Reid. Does that make sense ?
I think it takes time to settle in to new surroundings, often we compare them unfavorably to “home”. But if you settle in, join groups, become a part of the area you will find a new place to call home.
I would be more like Reid as I am more at home in a quiet rural village
Definitely Meg! I love cities!
I would probably be more like Reid. I love New York in small doses. And I also love it for the food.
I am definitely a Meg! I love New York and no city is too big! I love living in a place that never gets boring, even if I spend my whole paycheck on rent!
I visited NYC/Brooklyn for a week almost 2 years ago. It was amazing! I couldn’t live there, though. It started to get overwhelming and I was scared to lose sight of my friend that I was visiting. He loves it, though, and can’t imagine living anywhere else. I’m looking forward to another visit, but that’s all it will be for me.
Well, my daughter just moved to Brooklyn, is crazy about the food there, and she had a lettering book growing up and loved to create beautiful letters. Also, she happens to have psoriasis, so I had many moments of connection as I read this book. I would be more like Reid, disliking the city and the noises and the smells and the garbage, but my daughter absolutely loves Brooklyn. And, she is a math teacher, like Reid becomes! The intimate scenes were beautiful. I loved the idea of walking around and taking pictures of letters to write out their name… Read more »
I think this would depend on which area I was living in. If it was a more tourist-y spot, with big crowds and lots of noise, I would hate it. But if it was a quieter area I would probably enjoy it. Cities have so much to do, so many restaurants and shows, that I would enjoy that part. Also depends on my time of life: as a younger adult I would probably love NYC, but as I’m now older I don’t think I would enjoy it as much.
As someone who lives right across the river, I have to say I am more like Reid. Maybe I have been spoiled to have the city right at arms reach…. but I don’t like going into the city unless I have a purpose to do so and I absolutely have to. I can see why people love the city also but I just like the calmness of New Jersey (although it is still busy and crowded … just not quite as much as NYC)
Much like Meg and Reid being at two very different points of their lives — Meg finally falling into step with her business, while Reid is drowning in work problems — my answer would heavily depend on what was going on in my life! I have loved living in cities, big & small, but it all comes down to what is surrounding you, not just the physical place that you occupy.