These American novels are masterpieces in American literature. Americans should read these novels at least once in their lifetime. These American novels either took place in the deep South, in the wild wild West, or in the "Yankee" North during the 1800s and the early 1900s.
1. GONE WITH THE WIND by Margaret Mitchell
This timeless masterpiece took place in Georgia in 1861. Scarlett O’ Hara meets and falls in love with Rhett Butler. This epic long novel of 63 chapters is just as famous as ‘Romeo and Juliet’ by Shakespeare. It is a romance story set in the beginning of the Civil War. The slave plantation called Tara is owned by the O’Hara family. Scarlett is half French from her mother’s side, and half Irish from her father’s side. Americans today can appreciate the special history of Georgia and the capital city of Atlanta. Other towns mentioned in this must read novel are Macon and Savannah. In June 1936 the novel was published, and 4 months later won the Pulitzer Prize, and then in December of that year it sold 1 million copies! The next year, 1937, the film was made which won 10 Oscar Awards! The legendary actors were Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara and Clark Gable as Rhett Butler, with the unforgettable musical score that resonates with white American grandparents today!
2. LONESOME DOVE by Larry McMurtry
This masterpiece took place in Texas in the year 1876. The town is called Lonesome Dove. This story is a combination of romance, tragedy, and action. There are many unforgettable characters. Cowboys galore are contained in this novel. This is the most famous American novel about cowboys, cowgirls, and Indians of the wild wild West of the 19th century glamorized in TV shows like ‘The Lone Ranger’ and ‘Little House on the Prairie’. The novel was published in 1982 and then in 1986 won the Pulitzer Prize. The novel inspired the 4-part TV miniseries ‘Lonesome Dove’ in 1989 starring legendary Oscar Award winning American actors Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones that won 7 Emmy Awards in 1990.
3. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee
This masterpiece took place in Alabama during the Great Depression in the town called Maycomb. The novel dealt with racism between whites and blacks. The court trial in the novel is very meaningful and inspiring. It is a universal novel about human nature, both the good and bad sides. The novel was published in 1960 and was a 1 million copy bestseller instantly in America! Atticus Finch is the most famous character in the novel for his morals as a very good lawyer. Law school students and lawyers should read this novel and the masterpiece play, ‘Inherit The Wind’, as inspiration of the American lawyer and American judge in action! The novel won the Pulitzer Prize that year. The story was inspired by the author’s own personal experience in 1936 in her hometown when she was 10 years old. The novel inspired the film, ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’, in 1962 starring the legendary American actor, Gregory Peck. Gregory Peck won the Oscar Award for Best Actor depicting the lawyer Atticus Finch.
4. THE GRAPES OF WRATH by John Steinbeck
This masterpiece dealt with the struggles of the working class family in the South during the 1930s draught period of the Dust Bowl during the Great Depression. The novel deals with the Joad family who are sharecroppers who decide to leave their home of Oklahoma to settle in California for survival. During the journey many elements of human nature that are universal emerge. The novel was published in 1939 and won the Pulitzer Prize in 1940. The novel inspired the classic American film “The Grapes of Wrath” in 1940 that starred legendary Oscar Award-winning actor Henry Fonda. This masterpiece is frequently read in English literature class in American high schools and colleges by students.
5. THE AGE OF INNOCENCE by Edith Wharton
This masterpiece is special because Edith Wharton was the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize! The novel won the Pulitzer Prize in 1921. It is frequently read in American English literature classes in American high schools and colleges by students. The story takes place in 1870s New York City with a wealthy married couple. The husband meets a woman with whom he passionately falls in love with. A scandalous affair emerges, and the novel deals with the universal theme of conventionality versus following one’s own personal rules. The husband realizes he truly loves the woman and not his wife, with whom he weds by arranged marriage! So, there is the struggle by the husband to either follow his heart and leave his wife for the woman, or live safe by the rules and conduct of the strict upper wealthy class of New York City society. Very similar to “Romeo and Juliet” or “Pride and Prejudice”. Forbidden love rules in this masterpiece novel in the context of wealth and saving face.
CONCLUSION
These five American novels form the core of American culture. To be a real, true American citizen, you must read these five novels in your lifetime.
Source: http://bookstove.com/book-talk/the-most-famous-american-novels-that-won-the-pulitzer-prize/
