In my American Authors class ...?

Question

we were assigned a project. We're supposed to find a novel to read. It has to be by an American Author and can't be one that was made into a movie (if it is, the release date of the movie has to be AFTER the due date)

Can someone give me any ideas? I was hoping for more of a classic, but a newer book would be cool too. I might end up re-reading something I don't quite remember.

Answer 1

mark twain

ernest hemingway -hardest(in my opinion)

salinger- easiest to understan

jack london

steinbeck

Answer 2

Try 'A Fan's Notes' by Frederick Exley. It's funny and sad at the same time. I don't think they made a movie out of it.

Answer 3

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

This is one of the most entertaining novels of the 20th century, has never been made into a film, and everyone knows the name of the main character.  The book has influenced countless other characters in film and literature.  It's done a great deal to change the way people think about being a teenager.

Answer 4

If you are considering classics, the Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Washington Irving) is poetically gothic.

I actually enjoyed reading The Scarlet Letter (Nathaniel Hawthorne) even though I may be in the minority!

The Great Gatsby (F Scott Fitzgerald) is set in the "flapper" era of the roaring 20's, and is more contemporary than the two above, so if you need an easier (and quicker) read, that may be the way to go.

And J.D. Salinger wrote other books, Franny and Zoey come to mind.  It is similar to theme and setting as Catcher in the Rye.

Thoreau's Walden and Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass may be harder to understand unless you are really interested in reading the ideas of free thinkers and radicals (gotta love that).

Answer 5

I say if you like fantasy, try Confession of an ugly stepsister; by Gregory Maguire.  

Answer 6

These might be too recent to be considered classics by your teacher, but run these titles passed him to see if any will work.  Most are at least 20 years old and some are much older.

Tony Hillerman's "The Ghostway" and "Fly On The Wall" are both good mysteries.  

Robert Heinlein's "Stranger In A Strange Land"  or "The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress" are both complex and interesting for science fiction tales; but I would go with 'Mistress' over 'Stranger.'

Answer 7

I suggest you read Thirteen Reasons Why. Written by American author Jay Asher. And, you could also read The Host. A great story. Written by Stephenie Meyer. :]

Answer 8

You could try one of these:

The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter ~ Carson McCullers

Other Voices, Other Rooms ~ Truman Capote

Barn Blind ~ Jane Smiley

A Death In the Family ~ James Agee

Dinner At the Homesick Restaurant ~ Anne Tyler

Main Street or Babbitt ~ Sinclair Lewis

The Bean Trees ~ Barbara Kingsolver

The Wayward Bus ~ John Steinbeck

I hope something here works for you. Good luck, and enjoy.

Answer 9

you could read twilight