One great coming of age short story is 'The Most Dangerous Game' by Richard Connell. It shows a young man's growth in the face of extreme danger. Another is 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson, which makes the young protagonist and readers question the traditions they've grown up with. Also, 'A&P' by John Updike is good. It tells about a young store clerk's moment of realization about society and his own place in it.
One common theme is self - discovery. In these novels, the protagonists often try to figure out who they are, their values, and their place in the world. Another theme is the loss of innocence. As they grow up, they face situations that make them see the harsher realities of life. For example, in 'The Catcher in the Rye', Holden Caulfield loses his innocence as he experiences the phoniness of the adult world.
You can start by looking at the themes. If a story deals with growing up, self - discovery, and the challenges faced during youth, it's likely a coming of age story. For example, if it shows a young character learning about love, loss, or friendship. Also, the way the character changes from the beginning to the end is important. If they become more self - aware or mature, it's a sign. For short short stories, look for a concise yet impactful exploration of these elements.
One great coming of age short novel is '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. Another is 'A&P' by John Updike, which shows a young man's moment of self - discovery in a grocery store. 'Flowers for Algernon' by Daniel Keyes is also a notable one. It tells the story of Charlie, a man with a low IQ who undergoes an experiment and experiences a coming - of - age journey in a very unique way.
The shortcoming could be the limited perspective. Some short coming of age stories only show one side of the coming - of - age experience, like only focusing on the positive aspects of growing up or only the negative. This doesn't give a full and realistic view. Also, the dialogue can be stilted. In an attempt to convey the message quickly, the conversations between characters might not feel natural, lacking the nuances and hesitations that real - life conversations have.
Some of the well - known coming of age novels are 'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger, 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee, and 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' by Stephen Chbosky.
Some well - known coming - of - age novels could be 'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger. Another one is 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee. 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' by Stephen Chbosky is also among them.
I think 'The History Boys' by Alan Bennett is a great one. The boys' experiences in school, their relationships with their teachers, and their exploration of knowledge and sexuality are all aspects of their coming - of - age. 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles' by Thomas Hardy is also a coming - of - age story in a way. Tess's journey from a young girl to a woman who has faced so much hardship and loss is a tragic coming - of - age. And 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier. The unnamed narrator's growth as she tries to deal with the shadow of Rebecca in her new home is a kind of coming - of - age in the face of mystery and past secrets.
One great YA coming of age novel is 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' by Stephen Chbosky. It follows Charlie as he navigates high school, friendship, and his own mental health journey. Another is 'Speak' by Laurie Halse Anderson, which deals with a girl's struggle to find her voice after a traumatic event. 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee also fits this category as Scout grows up learning about justice and prejudice in a small Southern town.
One important aspect of coming of age Indian novels is the exploration of cultural identity. These novels often depict characters who are caught between traditional Indian values and the influence of modernity. For example, in 'The God of Small Things' by Arundhati Roy, the characters struggle with caste, family secrets, and the changing social landscape in Kerala. The coming - of - age journey is intertwined with the larger context of Indian society's evolution.