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Top 20 American Novels

20 items ranked

The greatest classics in the American literary tradition, according to me!

Rated 1 point - posted 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 in category Books.
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1.

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The Great Gatsby Report Abuse
49 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 -

2.

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Atlas Shrugged Report Abuse
45 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 - 1 comment
Comments:
This book is here because of its political statement, not due to the quality of the writing. It's a very childish view of the world and not worth reading.
Added 11 years ago by guest, -6 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

3.

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The Scarlet Letter Report Abuse
The classic tale of one woman's struggles after committing adultery and becoming pregnant. The book deals with themes of revenge, sin, and guilt. Even though many of the characters die, at least one of them, Pearl, gets a happy ending.
30 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 -

4.

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The Sound and the Fury Report Abuse
28 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 -

5.

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The Grapes of Wrath Report Abuse
The Great Depression-era story of a family of sharecroppers forced to move to California by the great dust bowl. It brought to light major issues of poverty, despite massive criticism from the Associated Farmers of California and other groups.
27 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 -

6.

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The Last of the Mohicans Report Abuse
25 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 -

7.

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Gone with the Wind Report Abuse
A tragic story of a Southern debutante who loses everything as a result of the Civil War. Scarlett O'Hara pulls herself up from her now harsh circumstances and manages to survive, and she even manages to find love, although it is troubled. Later adapted into a movie that won almost as many awards as the book itself.
24 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 - 1 comment
Comments:
I've always thought this book was overrated. The movie was a classic since it was the first feature in color, and because of great acting. As for the book itself--it can't really compare with Remarque's World War I story, Crane's account of Civil War, or Mailer's Naked and the Dead.
Added 11 years ago by guest, 0 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

8.

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Ethan Frome Report Abuse
24 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 -

9.

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To Kill a Mockingbird Report Abuse
The classic tale dealing the racism in the early 20th century and the loss of innocence. The book was especially interesting due to the fact that its narrator was young and therefore did not understand the issue of racism that was being dealt with around her.
23 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 -

10.

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Of Mice and Men Report Abuse
22 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 -

11.

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The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Report Abuse
The story of a precocious boy and his adventures in and around his hometown. There's adventure, suspense, and even a bit of romance. Written by the great American author, Mark Twain.
21 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 -

12.

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Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Report Abuse
21 points - added 15 years ago by guest - 2 comments
Comments:
My all-time favorite.
Added 11 years ago by guest, 0 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
This ought to be a very adventurous
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13.

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Moby Dick Report Abuse
20 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 - 1 comment
Comments:
I'm rereading this classic. It's better the second time around.
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14.

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Little Women Report Abuse
20 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 -

15.

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Uncle Tom's Cabin Report Abuse
19 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 -

16.

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A Farewell to Arms Report Abuse
17 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 -

17.

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Fahreheit-451 Report Abuse
6 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 -

18.

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Catch-22 Report Abuse
6 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 -

19.

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Flowers for Algernon Report Abuse
6 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 -

20.

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Babbitt Report Abuse
3 points - added 15 years ago by ArtofWar11 -
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