page_title: Sweetbitter
section_title: Reception
hierarchical_section_title: Sweetbitter / Reception
caption_attribution_description: English: Union Square Cafe
context_page_description: Sweetbitter is a 2016 novel by American author Stephanie Danler, published by Alfred A. Knopf. It is Danler's first published book. It was written by the author over a seven-year period, and, despite receiving glowing press before its release, received mixed reviews.
  The book is based in part on Danler's experience as a waitress in New York City.
context_section_description: Several reviews noted the expectations that preceded the book's publication. The novel was mostly well received, with some critics noting that the central characters  (particularly Jake) were not fully fleshed out and the novel lacks overall substance. However, others, such as Gabrielle Hamilton, writing for the New York Times praised the novel, saying the "faults of the book are few".
  Vanity Fair referred to the novel as a "love letter" to Union Square Cafe. It was No. 32 on USA Today's bestseller's list.
  The Washington Post's Karen Heller described the novel as "true to its title: a smart, delicious, coming-of-age tale about a young woman already drunk on the idea of New York before her true education begins."
caption: The exterior of Union Square Cafe
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