Books

[Terry&Tigger 4]

Oh wow, that's a nice reading list! I'm assuming you're reading all of these in English?

I'm about half way through Fall of Giants by Ken Follett. It's historical fiction centered around World War 1, and very good. The other books I've read from this author are Pillars of the Earth and World Without End. All highly recommended. Good luck!

Yes, in English, of course Thank you so much, Ken Follett's books sound interesting, I will definitely read some!

[AmyWrites 593]

If I were you, if your English isn't excellent, I'd get a high school/first year college anthology of American short stories instead. That way you can see a wide range of authors in a shorter amount of time and get a broader perspective and not just on a specific time frame/social class/etc.

I like this one. Has some essays, poems, short stories and a few plays too.

But if you really want novels, I'd say To Kill a Mockingbird is absolutely essential to understanding American history and maybe small-town culture.

Edited March 7, 2011 by AmyWrites

[eekee 182]

While it's charming to see little Truman Capote depicted in the novel (he and Harper Lee were neighbors growing up! Adorable!), I have mixed feelings about the novel: http://www.racialicious.com/2010/07/14/stuff-white-people-do-warmly-embrace-a-racist-novel/

[dogspot 90]

Tender is the Night takes place in France, though. It is my favorite book nonetheless. But as far as being a good introduction to American culture, only if you're specfically interested in the Lost Generation's European adventures.

Yeah, I know. I was just providing an example of an author whom we read as sort of an introduction to 20th Century American literature for someone with a good grasp of the English language.

Another recommendation I have for a healthy examination of a period in American history would be the works of S.E. Hinton, who is best known for The Outsiders and Rumble Fish. Written for young adult readers, her portrayal of 1950s in Tulsa, Oklahoma provides a nice perspective on class struggles between young people during this time. A relatively easy read for someone still learning the language.

[eekee 182]

I really enjoy John Waters's books, for a very different perspective on American culture. In his latest book, Role Models, he interviews his heroes, who range from Little Richard to a Manson family member.

[Captain Hammer 113]

While it's charming to see little Truman Capote depicted in the novel (he and Harper Lee were neighbors growing up! Adorable!), I have mixed feelings about the novel: http://www.racialicious.com/2010/07/14/stuff-white-people-do-warmly-embrace-a-racist-novel/

Just read the link, and my opinion is that it's a really unfair treatment of the book. I don't think anyone has suggested that racism is over, or that the book heralded the end of racism. Also, I think it's pretty unfair to charge the book (and Harper Lee by extension) as being racist, especially considering how much awareness it raised on publication, and how much awareness it's raised to this day. Seems to me that the criticisms revolve around "the book didn't make black people seem heroic enough." I guess my response would be that the writer should write their own book where black people are more heroic. The NPR slam was kinda weird too, I think the writer is a bit out of touch. The book is a fantastic piece of fiction, it's almost as if the writer read a completely different book, or maybe they just read what they wanted to read.

[eekee 182]

I read it in 9th grade and was meh about it. I think the point of the racialicious article is that it's a book that focuses on white people swooping in to save black people, therefore portraying black people as more or less helpless.

[Captain Hammer 113]

To Kill a Mockingbird plot spoiler follows, don't read this post if you don't want the story ruined for you.

I read it in 9th grade and was meh about it. I think the point of the racialicious article is that it's a book that focuses on white people swooping in to save black people, therefore portraying black people as more or less helpless.

But it is true that during that time, and in those circumstances, blacks really were helpless in a white-controlled judicial system in Alabama. A black person could not hope for justice in any way, shape, or form. And ultimately Finch loses the case and his client is killed. I could maybe see the point if Finch rescues the day and everyone rides off into the sunset happily ever after, but the book ultimately is about the futility of a black man seeking justice in white-controlled Alabama.

I think to portray it any differently would have been revisionist history. Blacks had no power, whites had all the power, so if you are going to tell the story that Harper Lee told, it would have been crazy to tell it any different way.

I liked the book, it's one of my favorite reads. I like the movie too, but the book is much better. Tastes differ though, and I can understand not liking it. People raved about The DaVinci Code but I found it droll, predictable, and suffered from horrible writing. But I think the writer of that blog post is being intentionally obtuse and taking offense where none exists.

[eekee 182]

If you read the blog I posted, apparently it's not even very realistic that a white lawyer would even crusade for a black man accused of rape. That, in and of itself, seems to be a "revisionist history" aspect of TKAM.

[Captain Hammer 113]

If you read the blog I posted, apparently it's not even very realistic that a white lawyer would even crusade for a black man accused of rape. That, in and of itself, seems to be a "revisionist history" aspect of TKAM.

I agree, it would have been exceedingly rare. Although part of the book is at least inspired by Lee's grandfather (I believe) defending a black man in the South, and losing badly.

[Dan and Judy 614]

"Hank the cowdog"

[eekee 182]

"Hank the cowdog"

uhh... I think we've established that the OP is better read in English than most Americans. ESL != children's books only.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

"Hank the cowdog"

[AmyWrites 593]

I read it in 9th grade and was meh about it. I think the point of the racialicious article is that it's a book that focuses on white people swooping in to save black people, therefore portraying black people as more or less helpless.

I just liked it because Atticus represents how lawyers "should be", and that the American legal system isn't meant to be unfair.

I didn't find it racist... if it would've been about Tom Robinson winning the case it would've been vastly unrealistic, even more so than a lawyer having defended him in the first place.

I didn't like it when I first read it (grade 9 I think it was?), but I read it again last month and found it nearly perfect. And if all else fails, the writing itself is quite good.

Yeah, I also recommend, like another poster said, the Outsiders.

I'd say "The Scarlett Letter", but you might die of boredom.

[AmyWrites 593]

Oh, and risking my inner-nerd pouring out in the internet.

Anything by Carl Sagan.

*hides*