“Something Familiar,” by Mary Gaitskill

The New Yorker

by Mary Gaitskill

February 22, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

A woman returns to New York City after a decade, initially arriving at JFK late at night following a lengthy flight delay. Her journey is marked by a sense of disconnection from her past life, as she travels back for the funeral of a once-close friend, Carley, who had shared a life that now feels alien to her. The airport, though modern and well-maintained, seems worn down, with overworked staff and travelers lost in their phones or sleeping under coats. Her experience contrasts with her memories of the city, as she reflects on its changes. During her taxi ride from Queens, she encounters a sixty-year-old driver with a strong Queens accent and a boyish demeanor. He drives without a GPS, relying instead on his decades of experience navigating the city’s streets. Their conversation reveals shared observations about the challenges facing cities like San Francisco and New York, including issues like homelessness and drug use. The man expresses admiration for her ability to navigate these environments safely, hinting at a deeper connection between their pasts and present lives. As they discuss her background—originally from Kentucky, moving to NYC in the 1980s—the woman recalls her youth in the city during its grittier years under Mayor Giuliani. Her memories are interspersed with fleeting images of a vibrant but volatile era, marked by drugs and homelessness. The driver’s reflective tone suggests a mutual understanding of how cities evolve and the personal sacrifices made to achieve success. The narrative weaves together themes of displacement, memory, and identity, offering a poignant reflection on what it means to return to a place that has changed so much over time. This exploration of cultural shifts and individual resilience makes *Something Familiar* a compelling read for those interested in the interplay between personal history and societal transformation.

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Originally published on The New Yorker on 2/22/2026