fiction best new orleans novels

Another notable one is 'The Moviegoer' by Walker Percy. It captures the mood and the sense of place in New Orleans. The protagonist's exploration of the city and his own identity is intertwined with the city's charm, from its bustling streets to its more quiet, reflective corners.

One of the best is 'A Confederacy of Dunces' by John Kennedy Toole. It vividly portrays the unique characters and the eccentric atmosphere of New Orleans. Another great one could be 'The Moviegoer' by Walker Percy which also captures the essence of the city in a very nuanced way.

Julie Smith's Skip Langdon series is also excellent. In 'Huck Finn's Blood', Skip has to deal with a mystery that involves family secrets and the unique cultural aspects of New Orleans. Smith does a great job of making the city a character in itself. The reader gets a sense of the local traditions, the food, and the different types of people who call New Orleans home, all while following Skip's investigation.

A lesser - known but great New Orleans novel is 'City of Refuge' by Tom Piazza. It focuses on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in the city. It shows how the people of New Orleans coped, their resilience, and how the city itself changed. It gives a very real and emotional look at the city during that difficult time.

I'm not sure about the exact best - selling ones all the time, but 'A Confederacy of Dunces' has been extremely popular over the years. Its unique characters and vivid portrayal of New Orleans life have made it a classic that sells well.

There's also 'The Awakening' which is set in New Orleans and its surrounding areas. It tells the story of a woman's struggle for self - realization. The setting of New Orleans, with its mix of different cultures and social norms, provides a rich backdrop for the story's exploration of female identity and liberation.

The people of New Orleans East in novels are often portrayed as having a strong sense of community. There could be stories of neighborly help during tough times, like after a hurricane. The area's music, especially jazz and blues, also plays a role, with characters perhaps being musicians or music enthusiasts, and the music becoming a backdrop to the story, adding rhythm and mood.

Some notable New Orleans fiction novels include 'The Feast of All Saints' by Anne Rice. It's set in the city's antebellum era and offers a rich look at the different social strata. Then there's 'Jitterbug Perfume' by Tom Robbins, which has elements of New Orleans' unique culture woven into its strange and wonderful story. And 'Zeitoun' by Dave Eggers tells a more contemporary story set in the city.

New Orleans' history of crime and corruption also features prominently. There have been real - life events like the mob activity in the past. In fiction novels, this can be exaggerated or used as inspiration. So you might have a story where the protagonist is trying to solve a crime that is linked to an old - time New Orleans crime syndicate. The city's past also includes disasters like floods, which can be used to create a sense of chaos and danger in the story.

Fiction about the early history of New Orleans can show the development of voodoo culture in the area. It was a part of the city's early identity. Writers may depict how the slaves brought their African beliefs and mixed them with local religions. This added an air of mystery to the city's early history and made it a rich source for fictional tales.