best 20 century american novels

One of the top 20th - century American novels is 'The Sound and the Fury' by William Faulkner. It uses a complex narrative structure to tell the story of a southern family's decline. 'On the Road' by Jack Kerouac is another great one. It represents the Beat Generation, with its themes of freedom, travel, and a search for meaning. And 'Ulysses' by James Joyce, while Irish, also had a significant impact on American modernist literature in the 20th century.

Some of the best nineteenth - century American novels include 'The Scarlet Letter' by Nathaniel Hawthorne. It explores themes of sin, guilt, and redemption in Puritan society. Another great one is 'Moby - Dick' by Herman Melville, a complex tale of Captain Ahab's obsessive quest for the white whale.

One of the best is 'The Goldfinch' by Donna Tartt. It tells a story of a boy's journey through loss and art. Another great one is 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead, which reimagines the Underground Railroad as an actual railroad. 'Gilead' by Marilynne Robinson is also highly regarded. It's a beautiful exploration of faith, family, and mortality through the letters of an elderly pastor.

One of the best is 'The Scarlet Letter' by Nathaniel Hawthorne. It delves into themes of sin, guilt, and redemption in Puritan society. Another great one is 'Moby - Dick' by Herman Melville. It's a complex exploration of man's struggle against nature. Also, 'Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' by Mark Twain is a classic, with its commentary on race and society in the American South.

Another great one is 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee. It tackles issues of race and justice in the American South. Through the eyes of Scout, we see the unfairness and also the goodness in people.

Well, 'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger is a well - known best 20th - century American novel. It follows the disillusioned Holden Caulfield. 'Moby - Dick' by Herman Melville, though written in the 19th century, had a huge influence on 20th - century literature. And 'Ulysses' by James Joyce, while Irish, also had a profound impact on American modernist writers and can be considered among the important works relevant to the best of 20th - century American literature.

'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger. It follows the story of Holden Caulfield, a teenager who is disillusioned with the adult world. It has been highly influential in the portrayal of adolescent angst.

Well, among the best 200 twentieth - century American novels, 'Moby - Dick' by Herman Melville is a classic. It's not just a story about a whaling voyage but a profound exploration of human nature, obsession, and the power of nature. Then there's 'The Sound and the Fury' by William Faulkner. Faulkner uses a complex narrative structure to tell the story of a Southern family in decline. Also, 'Invisible Man' by Ralph Ellison is significant as it delves into the African - American experience and identity in a society that often makes them feel invisible.

Definitely 'The Grapes of Wrath' by John Steinbeck. It shows the plight of the poor during the Great Depression. It's a story of a family's journey in search of a better life. Another great one is 'Absalom, Absalom!' by William Faulkner. It's a complex exploration of family history, race, and the South.

Sure. 'The Scarlet Letter' is a great one. It's set in Puritan New England and shows how society treats those who have sinned. It's a very deep and thought - provoking novel.