Americana is a vast and varied genre. On the surface, it might seem difficult to find the threads that connect these diverse works and writers. But once you dig a bit deeper, it becomes clear that there are common themes running through many works of Americana literature.
But where did it all begin? Who were the pioneers of Americana, and what made their books so special? Let’s take a look at ten Americana novels that laid the groundwork for the genre.
10. On The Road by Jack Kerouac
An earnest and unfettered celebration of the freedom of the open road, Kerouac’s most famous novel is a love letter to the landscapes and cities of America.
On The Road was famously first typed out on a long, unbroken sheet of paper, and the effect of reading the novel is one of hurtling ahead, not knowing exactly where you’re going but happily along for the ride.
Recommended for: readers curious about the Beat movement and its impact on Americana. On The Road is a joyful homage to jazz music, the power of language, and the American spirit.
9. The Sound And The Fury by William Faulkner
The Sound And The Fury tells the tale of the Compson family in Jefferson, Mississippi. Both a profound consideration of individual loss and more systemic culpability, The Sound And The Fury captures an important period in American history, shedding insight into the darker side of Americana.
Recommended for: its thoughtful treatment of themes like family tragedy, memory, and the passage of time.
8. Little Women By Louisa May Alcott
This pivotal work of Americana literature follows the four March sisters and their coming-of-age against the backdrop of the American Civil War. At times heartbreaking, at times hilarious, this novel is a reminder of the power of feminine relationships and female resilience.
Film fans can rejoice, too: Greta Gerwig’s critically acclaimed film adaptation just landed on Hulu!
Recommended for: anyone looking to better understand gender roles in nineteenth-century America, and fans of a good old-fashioned love story.
RelatedEssential Americana Reads: 10 Novels That Tap Into The Spirit of Americana
7. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Their Eyes Were Watching God
American LiteratureThis classic story follows the life of Janie Crawford, a young Black woman growing up in Florida in the early twentieth century. Throughout three different marriages and in spite of the oppression of the Jim Crow South, Janie finds her own identity and realizes the joy of personal autonomy. Readers can also enjoy this classic story through a celebrated audiobook read by iconic actress and activist Ruby Dee.
Recommended for: fans of stories about independent women and readers curious about the realities of life in a segregated America.
6. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Great Gatsby is required reading in most high school American literature classes, and for good reason: it’s an incredible book. In case you haven’t read it, the novel tells the story of the mysterious Jay Gatsby and the beautiful Daisy Buchanan. Ultimately, tragedy strikes, and no amount of wealth or material comfort can cure the characters’ unhappiness.
Recommended for: its brutal examination of class divides, its lavish depictions of life in the Roaring Twenties, and its presentation of the underbelly of the American Dream.
RelatedThe American Dream : The Grapes of Wrath
5. Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
This tale of obsession, vengeance, and the power of nature is a classic example of the struggle of man versus nature, a common theme in Americana literature. Melville’s novel follows Captain Ahab during his unerring pursuit of Moby-Dick, a white whale who previously attacked him. The search for the whale goes beyond simple revenge, however, granting Ahab a sense of meaning and shelter from larger existential questions.
Recommended for: its depiction of obsession and faith, and the ways in which it relates those ideas to American history.
4. Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
This pivotal work of Americana literature is an exploration of race and invisibility in twentieth-century America. It tells the story of an unnamed protagonist who seeks to claim his own identity despite the brutality and dehumanization of racism. A tragic yet honest examination of the Black experience in America, Ellison’s Invisible Man is a key work of Americana.
Recommended for: its suspenseful and satirical tone and its implementation of the full range of American language.
3. The Grapes Of Wrath by John Steinbeck
Following the struggles and triumphs of the Joad family as they seek their fortune in California, this novel takes us into American life during the Great Depression. A testament to the resilience and generosity of the human spirit, The Grapes Of Wrath is a moving classic of Americana, tapping into some of the most common themes of American literature.
Recommended for: its portrayal of power struggles between classes, its transcendental philosophy, and its absolutely gorgeous prose.
Related5 Best Coming-Of-Age American Novels
2. The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
A classic of Americana, Huck Finn, as it’s commonly known, tells the story of a young boy and a formerly-enslaved man as they strike up an unlikely friendship during their journey down the Mississippi River.
Recommended for: its use of humor and satire and its heartwarming depiction of friendship and coming-of-age.
1. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Trigger warning: sexual assault
The only book Harper Lee published in her lifetime, To Kill A Mockingbird is a haunting look at racism and otherness told through the innocence of a child’s perspective. Focused on the trial of a Black man accused of raping a white woman, this novel invites the reader to reflect upon bigotry and justice, and the ways in which those forces have shaped America.
Recommended for: its timeless message of courage, empathy, and standing up for what’s right, even in the face of difficulty.
And there you have ten of the key works that laid the groundwork for Americana literature, a wide-reaching genre. In this list, we’ve taken a look at themes like coming-of-age, the American Dream, and race relations. There’s no doubt that, whatever your tastes, there’s a book in here for you.
Happy reading!
