SOURCE: “From the Hip,” in Times Literary Supplement, December 12, 1986, p. 1409.

The following review provides a brief synopsis of Slaves of New York and comments on the book's range of characters and themes.

From its opening tale, related flamboyantly by a rich girl turned prostitute, to its final case history of a modern sado-masochistic relationship, Tama Janowitz's first collection of short stories [Slaves of New York] is designed to attract the attention of the young and the trendy. But then, almost all of its characters are New York artists, art dealers, designers or models with reputations to make and high rents to pay; they know that catching the eye of the right people is what sells paintings or ideas—or whatever it is you're selling.

Janowitz keeps her balance on the tilted game board. She observes everything with a sharp eye but with a New York bohemian's true affection...