A provocative experimental novel by Kathy Acker, first published in 1981. The book is considered one of Acker's early and most influential works, reflecting the raw energy of New York City's underground punk and artistic culture during the late 1970s.

Rather than following a conventional plot, the novel presents a fragmented narrative that blends autobiography, fantasy, dreams, sexuality, violence, and political commentary. Through multiple voices and shifting perspectives, Acker explores themes of identity, power, rebellion, alienation, and the search for personal freedom.

The book captures the chaotic atmosphere of New York during a period marked by economic decline, punk music, artistic experimentation, and social unrest. Acker's writing style is deliberately unconventional, often challenging traditional storytelling and literary norms.

Because of its experimental structure and explicit content, New York City in 1979 is generally recommended for readers who enjoy avant-garde literature and postmodern fiction rather than straightforward narratives.