If you loved
The City We Became
N. K. Jemisin · Book · 2020
You loved The City We Became because it masterfully grounds grand, metaphysical shifts in the vibrant, lived-in reality of urban landscapes.
Films on the same thread
Past Lives
Celine Song · Film · 2023
Just as The City We Became explores the soul of New York, this film uses the city as a canvas to examine how our personal histories shape our present identities.
A Complete Unknown
James Mangold · Film · 2024
This biopic mirrors the spirit of The City We Became by capturing the specific cultural energy of a changing New York City through the eyes of an artistic icon.
Elemental
Peter Sohn · Film · 2023
Much like the sentient boroughs in The City We Became, this story personifies its environment to explore how diverse identities must navigate the complex, shared experience of city life.
Source Code
Duncan Jones · Film · 2011
The City We Became treats urban geography as a puzzle; here, the claustrophobic tension of a train mission echoes that same sense of high-stakes, location-based urgency.
Series on the same thread
Marvel's Jessica Jones
Melissa Rosenberg · Series · 2015
If you appreciated the gritty, street-level heroism found in The City We Became, you will connect with this depiction of a damaged protector guarding the shadows of New York.
Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai
Series · 2018
The City We Became turns abstract concepts into physical manifestations, a structural parallel to how this series uses mysterious, unexplained phenomena to represent the internal struggles of its characters.
This Is Us
Dan Fogelman · Series · 2016
While The City We Became focuses on the collective identity of a city, this series similarly weaves together disparate, intimate life stories to reveal a larger, interconnected human truth.
The Strain
Guillermo del Toro · Series · 2014
The City We Became presents New York as a living entity under threat; this series offers a darker, visceral take on the city facing a dangerous, encroaching infection.
Podcasts on the same thread
This American Life
This American Life · Podcast · 2026
The City We Became thrives on the unique voices that define a city, and this podcast captures those same authentic, diverse human narratives that make urban environments feel alive.
American History Tellers
Audible · Podcast · 2026
The City We Became is deeply rooted in the history and evolution of its setting, much like this series which dissects the foundational events that shaped the modern American landscape.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The City We Became a standalone novel?
The City We Became is a novel by N. K. Jemisin published in 2020. The provided metadata does not list any sequels or adaptations, so it is presented as a single work focused on the contemporary magic and myths of New York City.
What is the central premise of The City We Became?
The City We Became follows a young grad student in Manhattan who loses his memory and identity. He discovers he can sense the beating heart of New York City, leading to a story centered on culture, identity, magic, and myths within the urban landscape.
Who is the author of The City We Became?
The City We Became was written by N. K. Jemisin. She is a New York Times bestselling author and a three-time Hugo Award winner known for her work in contemporary fantasy and speculative fiction.
What themes are explored in The City We Became?
The City We Became explores themes of culture, identity, magic, and myths. The narrative focuses on the experience of a protagonist in New York City who loses his memory and must navigate the city's supernatural elements.