Uli Beutter Cohen

Soon after Uli Beutter Cohen moved to New York City, she began riding the subway and getting to know the city. In a chance encounter, she happened to make eye contact with a fellow commuter and asked her what she was reading, finishing their conversation with a photograph to commemorate the moment. From this, what would become the Subway Book Review - a collection of photographs of people with their books, and an accompanying interview - began.

This collection of some of the interviews meanders topically investigating themes such as "Arrivals," "Legacy," "Fabric," "Love," and much more before reaching "The End of the Line." This allows for juxtaposition that pure chronology wouldn't create, such as having someone reading one book and then following it with an interview of the author of that book. Each one is only 1-3 pages long, a snapshot of a person and a part of the city. Some people show up more than once. Some are just everyday people, and others are famous, and all of them showcase a piece of the diversity and vibrancy and life that is New York City. As Cohen's project became better known, she sometimes had people meet her at a particular subway station, or in some cases in 2020 she conducted phone interviews. Someone more familiar with New York's subway system may have gotten more out of the geography than I did, but even so I found this collection a warm and enjoyable reading experience connecting with people I will most likely never meet.… (mehr)