Americana is more than just a genre of music: it’s also a noun encompassing any artifact related to the history, folklore, culture, and even the geography of the United States. That’s a pretty broad category, there’s no doubt, but in terms of Americana books, some are simply above the rest.
Here are ten of the best novels that tap into the spirit of Americana.
10. The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
Amy Tan’s 1989 novel is a moving exploration of the relationships between four immigrant mothers from China and their American-born daughters. Through sixteen interwoven stories, Tan paints a profound portrait of generational differences and cultural identity against the backdrop of San Francisco.
This book is a must-read for anyone interested in mother-daughter relationships, Chinese-American experiences, or simply good writing. (If you enjoy it, be sure to check out her latest book, The Backyard Bird Chronicles, due out later this month.)
9. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Sylvia Plath’s singular novel has become required reading in many American literature classes. And for good reason: its tragic portrayal of mental illness and gender roles continues to resonate with readers over seventy years later.
Set in 1950s New York, The Bell Jar tells the story of young Esther Greenwood, an ambitious and talented college student who lives with an unspecified mental illness. While both heartbreaking and frustrating, The Bell Jar is a great choice for readers seeking to understand the ideas of patriarchy, autonomy, and mental health in twentieth-century America.
8. The Age Of Innocence by Edith Wharton
Edith Wharton’s masterpiece doesn’t get enough love (at least in my opinion). Set against an opulent backdrop of New York City’s high society, this novel is recommended for its complex characters and its insightful look at rigid social conventions and their role in American culture.
(And, if that weren’t enough: Martin Scorsese’s 1993 film adaptation is a must-see.)
7. East Of Eden by John Steinbeck
This epic Americana classic tells the story of two families, the Trasks and the Hamiltons, as they struggle to establish a farm in California’s Salinas Valley. The families seek to achieve the American Dream, coming up against varied topics like betrayal, redemption, and free will.
East Of Eden is a great choice for readers who value beautiful prose, masterful characterization, and the occasional philosophical aside.
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6. The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway’s 1926 debut novel is the book about the Lost Generation of individuals who came of age during World War I. Though primarily set in Europe, The Sun Also Rises is a compelling story about war veteran Jake Barnes and his search for meaning.
A fascinating look at masculinity and cultural differences, this novel is perfect for readers looking to understand Americana through a more international lens.
5. O Pioneers! by Willa Cather
An LGBTQ pioneer herself, Willa Cather’s writing was hugely influential on younger artists like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway. O Pioneers!, Cather’s second published novel, was first released in 1913.
This coming-of-age story follows Alexandra Bergson, who inherits the family farm in Nebraska after her father dies. Against the low expectations of those around her, young Alexandra must toil to ensure the financial success of the farm and her family’s material security, recounting the rural history of the Midwestern U.S. I recommend it for its beautiful prose, its endearing protagonist, and its portrayal of frontier life at the turn of the twentieth century.
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4. Beloved by Toni Morrison
Toni Morrison’s Beloved is a masterpiece of Americana literature. It follows the story of Sethe, a woman who escaped slavery and is haunted by the traumas of her past, in particular the death of her daughter, Beloved.
While Beloved is beyond heartbreaking, it’s an important book for its unflinching portrayal of trauma, freedom, and the devastating and dehumanizing impact of slavery.
3. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Great Gatsby seems, to me, the most-read book of Americana literature. (Thank you to high-school English teachers everywhere.) If you managed to miss it, the story is deceptively simple: it follows protagonist Nick Carraway, his wealthy and mysterious friend Jay Gatsby, and the beautiful Daisy Buchanan, Gatsby’s long-lost love.
The novel’s influence, a century later, remains unquestionable: the script of the original 1926 Broadway adaptation will be published later this month, offering further insight into the early life of this timeless classic.
For both its critique of consumerism and greed, as well as its treatment of class differences and privilege, The Great Gatsby is one of the masterpieces of Americana literature.
2. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
The only novel published by Harper Lee in her lifetime, To Kill A Mockingbird is a timeless exploration of morality, compassion, and racial injustice. Set in the Deep South of the 1930s, it tells the story of Scout Finch, a young girl whose lawyer father is defending a Black man accused of sexual assault.
To Kill A Mockingbird is celebrated for its precise, sensual prose and its complex and rewarding character development. If you’ve managed to miss this one, take our word for it: it’s worth a read.
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1. The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Known for its frequent appearance on banned book lists, Huckleberry Finn is, at its core, a story of friendship and morality. Young Huck Finn befriends a formerly-enslaved man named Jim as they embark on a journey down the Mississippi River, and his worldview is challenged and broadened.
This book is an Americana classic for its dark humor and biting social commentary, challenging the prejudices of racism that still pervade American culture today. It’s the perfect choice for readers looking for a deeper understanding of the antebellum era in U.S. history.
And there you have it: ten of our favorite Americana books, with a little something for everyone. From gender to race to class differences, these books each explore a different aspect of Americana. Enjoy!
