American Lit Book Rec Needed, Please...

[Janice in NJ]

I'm looking for an American Lit title that deals with the early 20th century.
This month I've read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and Cold Sassy Tree and Ethan Frome.

Themes that interest me:
I like that A Tree deals with the poverty issues - the helplessness felt by immigrants without an education who still hold to the notion that education will afford their children a better future - lots to talk about there. I would like to discuss the issues of the women's suffrage movement. BUT I don't like the book. Not a good fit for my kids right now.

I like that Cold Sassy deals with race relations - free but not equal - lots to discuss there. I like the snapshot of small-town life. I like the economic boundary issues. ALL great discussion fodder. But once again - I've read the book - the father/daughter r*pe is just wrong for my kids right now.

I actually loved EF. :001_smile: So many of you gave it a thumbs-down in the poll from last week. It makes me second-guess my reading of it. But I loved it. For me there are so many great life-discussion starters in that book.

BUT - it doesn't deal with some of the other issues that I want to interact with - the snapshot of immigrant life, the idea that education is the "answer" to a better life, women's suffrage movement, small-town living (I'd like to work through some Sinclair Lewis the following year - would like for them to have a feel for "idealized" small-town life.), early-century race-relations, and the class-boundary issues that stem from economic situations.

Can you recommend an American Lit text that digs into these things? One that doesn't sneak up and give you that wham-o punch with the s*xual issues/violence. (Don't get me wrong - we are a very open family in discussing this stuff. I just don't want to deal with s*xual violence in their literature this year. KWIM?)

Thanks for your input.

Peace,
Janice

Enjoy your little people
Enjoy your journey

[Liza Q]

My Antonia might work. Immigration, poverty, women's issues, sex (but not in a violent way), small town and class issues - but nothing about race relations.

We really enjoyed it!

[Faithr]

We just finished reading My Antonia. It might fit all your criterion. The issues you might have with it, is that Antonia does have a baby out of wedlock. It is told very gently and discreetly. She is jilted by her fiance. Also there is a scene where a crazy man obviously has designs on Antonia and her friend Jim rescues her of sorts. Again this is discreetly told and is just a short little episode out of many episodes. Also, there is a young lady who seems to attract men like flies, though she has no real interest in them. And she must also escape danger. However, these are somewhat comically told and are not major plot points or anything.

If you haven't read the book, what I've written constitutes spoilers and I hope you forgive me. It is an absolutely beautifully written book. My teens loved it.

[Liza Q]

Hey Faith - great minds think alike!

[ereks mom]

It deals with:


small-town living (Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930s)
early-century race-relations (Tom Robinson, Calpurnia)
the idea that education is the "answer" to a better life (contrast Atticus Finch with Bob Ewell, and Scout with the Ewell children )
the class-boundary issues that stem from economic situations (contrast the Finches, the Cunninghams, and the Ewells)

[Alphabetika]

I second To Kill a Mockingbird, though of course rape is a central issue, so you'd have to decide whether that would be okay. But it does deal with the things you're looking for, and it's a rare case where the movie really is excellent.

[ereks mom]

I second To Kill a Mockingbird, though of course rape is a central issue, so you'd have to decide whether that would be okay.

...but the (alleged) rape incident is not described in detail at all.

[Staci in MO]

I like To Kill a Mockingbird and My Antonia better, but The Great Gatsby or The Grapes of Wrath might also work.

[Jane in NC]

Janice,

It has been ages since I have read it, but what about Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson?

I'll give a nod to My Antonia as well.

Jane

[Janice in NJ]

Thanks! Just ordered WO from the library. Never heard of it. :001_smile:
Janice

[Janice in NJ]

nt

[Veronica in VA]

Not considered great American Lit, but fits some, though not all of your criteria, is The Secret Life of Bees. Small town living, racial issues (it was set in the early 60's in the south), feminist issues somewhat. My dd and I loved this book.

Veronica