Richard Price's 'Lazarus Man' Explores New York After 9/11

Richard Price's novel 'Lazarus Man' centers on the collapse of an apartment building in East Harlem in 2008, a disaster that evokes 9/11 trauma across New York. Anthony Carter is pulled from the rubble nearly unharmed and becomes a local celebrity and prophet of hope, though his story may be fabricated. Price, known for writing 'The Wire,' prioritizes a panoramic view of the city over a fast-paced plot, following multiple characters affected by the collapse: aspiring filmmaker Felix, police officer Mary searching for a missing person, and undertaker Royal who hates his job but sees opportunity. The novel weaves these complex, flawed yet sympathetic characters together, and despite occasional meandering, each finds a satisfying resolution. 'Lazarus Man' is a surprisingly realistic novel about an apparent miracle. It was named one of the best books of April 2026 by Kulturnews.