A = American (11th only)
B = British (12th only)
AUTHOR LIST
Authors Description
A Abbey, Edwards One of the most powerful of naturalist voices. Abbey wrote with passion and
(1927- 1989) eloquence about nature and humanity. He wrote several novels (including Monkey
Wrench), was a noted essayist, and was highly regarded for his nonfiction work, A
Desert Solitaire.
B Achebe, Chinua African author who deals with the way colonization annihilated Ibo culture in Africa.
(1930-) His novels deal with the conflict on a societal and individual level. Things Fall Apart
is his best known novel.
A Agee, James His Pulitzer Prize winning book A Death in the Family explores the reactions of a
( 1909- 1955) tight knit family when faced loss. Agee’s own life was ironically cut short by his
sudden death in 1955.
A Albee, Edward American playwright known for works including Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?,
(1928- ) The Zoo Story, The Sandbox and The American Dream. His works are considered
well-crafted and often unsympathetic examinations of the modern American condition
utlizing aspects of the Theatre of the Absurd movement.
A Albom, Mitchell An American best-selling author, journalist, screenwriter, playwright, radio and
(1958-) television broadcaster and musician. His books, which include Tuesday’s with Morrie,
The Five People You Meet in Heaven, and For One More Day have sold over 26
million copies worldwide.
A Alcott, Louisa May Romantic American author whose life was influenced by the likes of Henry David
(1832-1888) Thoreau and Nathaniel Hawthorne. Alcott worked hard as a seamstress, domestic
servant, and teacher before becoming a successful writer. She was a nurse during the
Civil War. Her writing focuses on the struggles endured by her family and her
relationships with her four sisters, such as in the novel Little Women.
A Alexi, Sherman A Spokane/Coeur d'Alene Indian, he grew up on the Spokane Indian Reservation in
(1966- ) Wellpinit, Washington. His semi-autobiographical novel which is his first collection
of short stories, The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, was the inspiration
for the movie Smoke Signals. Other significant works include: Ten Little Indians,
Reservation Blues, and The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. His
depiction of Indian life has been both criticized and applauded.
A Allende, Isabelle She is the daughter of assassinated Chilean President Salvador Allende. She has spent
(1942-) most of her life in exile from her homeland. Her writing focuses on the turmoil she
witnessed and is influenced by her years of working as a journalist. The House of
Spirits is one of her famous works.
A Alvarez,, Julia Modern, Female Hispanic author who emigrated to the U.S. from the Dominican
(1950-) Republic. She focuses on gender issues, cultural issues, and immigration in her works.
One of her most famous novels is How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents.
A Anaya, Rudolfo Hispanic-American author concerned with issues such as cultural oppression,
(1937-) individualism, and the value of human experience. He grew up in New Mexico. His
novels included Heart of Aztlan and Bless Me Ultima. Bless Me Ultima is his most
critically acclaimed work.
A Anderson, Sherwood He worked as an advertiser and as a paint shop manager in his small town, Ohio home.
(1876-1941) His writing focuses on the effects of industrialization and migration to the city on the
individual consciousness, such as in: Winesburg, Ohio and Many Marriages.
A Angelou, Maya African American author famous for her autobiographical accounts of the racial and
(1928-) sexual oppression she endured. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is considered an
autobiographical classic.
A Asimov, Isaac One of the fathers of the Science Fiction genre, Asimov writes a variety of bizarre and
(1920-208) profound science fiction stories. His main concern is with human nature and the
influence of technology upon society.
A Atwood, Margaret Modern Canadian author who explores the issues of fragmentation and gender issues
(1939-) in our changing society. The Bride Price is one of her most famous works.
B Austen, Jane 19th century British female author who focuses on the oppressive social structures of
(1775- 1817) her time in novels such as: Pride & Prejudice, Emma and Sense & Sensibility. She
wrote in the Victorian era of the English society.
A Baldwin, James Baldwin was a significant voice in the America during the 1950’s and 60’s. His work
(1924- 1987) is mainly focused on the issues of hope and hopelessness with the social condition of
blacks at the time. Go Tell on the Mountain, Notes from a Native Son, and Another
Country, are three of his novels. He also wrote short stories and essays.
B Barrie, J.M. Scottish author and dramatist. He is best remembered for creating Peter Pan,:The Boy
(1860-1937) Who Wouldn’t Grow Up and Peter and Wendy, whom he based on his friends, the
Llewelyn Davies boys. Other plays, such as Mary Rose and Dear Brutus revisit the
image of the ageless child. Later plays included What Every Woman Knows and The
Boy David (1936), which dramatised the Biblical story of King Saul and the young
David.
B Beckett, Samuel Born in Dublin, Ireland and well traveled as a youth, he spent most of his life in
(1906-) France where he participated in literary societies. His most famous novel is Waiting
for Godot.
A Bellow, Saul Novelist, shot story writer, and playwright, who is highly, regarded for his ability to
(1915-2005) awaken within us a sense of moral consciousness through the vivid characters he
creates. This ability is most recognizable in his Pulitzer Prize winning novel Seize the
Day.
A Bierce, Ambrose Bierce was veteran of the Civil War. His experiences contributed to his biting
(1842- 1914) cynicism contained in his journalistic works and fiction. Most noted as a short story
writer (“An Occurrence at Owl-Creek”), Bierce also wrote a satirical book called The
Devil’s Dictionary. He was a major figure in the development of American literary
realism until his disappearance while covering the Mexican Revolution in 1914.
A Borges, Jorge Luis He is an Argentinean writer whose fame and readership grew throughout his lifetime
(1899-1986) and he was famous by his death. Borges writes in a paradoxical and thought provoking
style that presents the universe as a puzzle. His work is deeply philosophical and often
fantastically poetic and surreal. Labyrinths is a collection of some of his best works
and The Garden of Forking Paths is his most famous.
A Bradbury, Ray A prolific writer whose interest in science fiction is merely a medium to make social
(1920-) commentary upon the state of the world today and the direction we are heading. His
insights and projections of the future are extremely astute and his writing style is
extremely user friendly for the common reader or the well-read intellectual. His novels
include, but are not limited too: Something Wicked This Way Comes, Fahrenheit 451,
Dandelion Wine, The Illustrated Man, The Martian Chronicles
B Bronte, Charlotte The Bronte sisters wrote with great clarity and style about the Victorian society of
And Emily their English up brining. They produced several classic novels such as Jane Eyre and
(1816- 1855) Wuthering Heights. Read one sister not both.
A Buck, Pearl Due to the fact that her parents were Chinese Missionaries, Pearl Buck grew up with a
(1892- 1973) unique insight into the Chinese culture, which is forcefully presented to the reader in
her work. Good Earth published in 1931 is her most popular and highly regarded
novel.
B Calvino, Italo His experiences as a partisan fighting against Nazi occupation of Italy became the
1923- 1985 basis for the most of his early works. He is one of Italy’s most inventive writers. He
combines some of the harsh and vivid detail of the realest with qualities of fantasy and
fable much like Borges and Marquez.
B Camus, Albert Was one of the most influential voices for the idea of existentialism, which argues that
(1913- 1960) life is absurd and that the only true meaning is created by our understanding of this
“fact” and our individual heroic responses to it. Camus lived a difficult life as an
African of European descent. His father died in WWI and his mother suffered from
deafness. Camus was known for his probing intelligence and modesty. The Stranger
and The Plague are two of his novels.
A Capote, Truman A gifted writer with the ability to remove his own biases to create works of clarity,
(1924-1984) such as the famous In Cold Blood, which is a true story.
A Card, Orson Scott Modern Science Fiction author that focuses on the interactions between human beings
(1951-) within the framework of the genre. Card’s Mormon roots are clearly reflected in the
themes of some of his work. He won the Hugo and Nebula awards for his novel,
Ender’s Game. Other novels include: Ender’s Shadow, Speaker for the Dead, Seventh
Son, Folk of the Fringe, Lost Boys, etc.
A Cather, Willa Writer who vividly portrayed life as a pioneer. Scribner’s Writer’s Series states, “the
(1873- 1947) boldest and most beautiful of Willa Cather’s fictions are characterized by a sense of
the past not as an irrecoverable quality of events, wasted in history, but as persistent
human truth, repossessed- salvaged, redeemed by virtue of memory and art.”
Amongst her notable works are My Antonia and Death Comes for the Archbishop.
B Cervantes, Miguel Author of The Adventures of Don Quixote. Led a dramatic life. He was born poor in
de Spain. He joined the Spanish Army at the age of 20 and fought against the Turks. He
(1547-1616) was captures by pirated while sailing home from the wars and was sold into slavery.
He repeatedly tried to escape and repeatedly was recaptures. His bravery convinced
his captors not to hill him for his insubordination. Eventually he was ransomed back to
Spain.
B Chekhov, Anton A Russian short-story writer and playwright, considered to be one of the greatest
(1860-1904) short-story writers in world literature. His career as a dramatist produced four classics:
The Seagull, Uncle Vanya, Three Sisters, and The Cherry Orchard; and his best short
stories, including “The Bet” are held in high esteem by writers and critics.
B Chesterton, G.K. His work spanned the spectrum of levels of seriousness. From mysteries to humor to
(1874- 1936) philosophical and theological treatise, Chesterton was a prolific Romantic English
writer.
A Chopin, Kate Her work mostly revolves around the Creole stories of her Louisiana home. She is
(1851-1904) highly regarded now as an author that subtly points out the struggles between genders
and cultures as they vie for power. Her most famous novel The Awakening was
banned for its portrayal of female infidelity and passion.
B Christie, Agatha Classic 19th century mystery author who revitalized the genre and added to its
(1890- 1976) popularity. IF you choose her, you MUST read The Murder of Roger Ackeroyd as one
of your works.
A Cisneros, Sandra Modern Female Latino author whose simple, impressionistic style created vivid
(1954-) emotional responses to oppression, discrimination, and poverty. Her work the
chronicles of the struggles of Hispanic immigrants to assimilate into American culture
while maintaining their own identities. NOTE: You MAY NOT read House on
Mango Street for this project. However, Caramelo is another of her acclaimed novels.
B Clarke, Arthur Brilliant novelist and short story writer, he is one of the pillars of the science fiction
(1917-) genre. Clarke is also a physicist and mathematician. His most famous novels include
2001: A Space Odyssey and Childhood’s End.
A Coehlo, Paulo A Brazilian lyricist and novelist who innately knew his purpose in life was to be a
(1947- ) writer. The Alchemist, his best know book, is the story of a boy who goes on a
spiritual journey to discover a great treasure. Coehlo has written many other novels,
most of them dealing with spiritual or mystical themes.
B Conrad, Joseph He was a powerful story teller who drew upon his experiences as a seaman to tell
(1857-1924 vivid tales that often took on sophisticated symbolic ramifications. If you liked Lord
of the Flies or the works of Edgar Allen Poe, you will probably appreciate Conrad.
Heart of Darkness and Lord Jim are his most famous novels.
A Conroy, Pat Mainly concerned with the idea that deep emotional and familial scars lie at the core
(Modern) of most human lives. His writing is poignant and deeply psychological. His novels
include The Prince of Tides and The Water is Wide, among others.
A Cooper, James 19th century romantic American author who romanticized the Native American
Fennimore cultures he encountered. His most famous work is Last of the Mohicans.
(1789- 1851)
A Cormier, Robert Modern writer of adolescent fiction who has a knack for presenting a poignant and
(1925-2000) dark view of human society. His novels depict characters who come of age and must
come to grips with the conflict and injustice that takes place around them in society.
His best works include The Chocolate War, Fade, and After the First Death.
A Crane, Stephen A realist who portrayed with stark clarity the brutality of life in the New York
(1871- 1900) Bowery. Crane worked as a war correspondent. His most famous work, The Red
Badge of Courage is the story of a Union soldier in the Civil War. He also wrote
poetry and vivid short stories.
B De Maupassaunt, French realist short story writer who’s military career and travels abroad had a major
Guy (1850-1893) impact on his stories. His works is characterized by realistic description of life
accompanied by a pessimistic tone that is emphasized by his powerful use of irony.
B Defoe, Daniel English writer who is famous for writing Robinson Crusoe, but who also had a darker
(1660-1731) side to his writing as seen in works such as Moll Flanders.
B Dickens, Charles Many of his works are considered classics, such as: Great Expectations, Tale of Two
(1812-1870) Cities, Nicholas Nickelby, and Oliver Twist. NOTE: You may not read A Christmas
Carol for this project.
B Dinesen, Isak The Academy Award winning movie Out of Africa is based on Dinesen’s
(1885-1962) autobiographical work by the same title. While her world acclaim resulted from her
experiences in Africa, she was also quite an exceptional short story writer. Her stories
take on a romantic and mysterious setting with many supernatural elements and often
involve characters that are fantastic and grotesque.
B Doyle, Sir Athur Victorian English author who created the character Sherlock Holmes about whom an
Conan abundance of short stories and novels are written. His work is foundational for the
(1859-1930) mystery/ detective story genre. Noteworthy novels include: A Study in Scarlet and The
Hound of the Baskervilles.
B Du Maurier, English romantic novelist, playwright, and autobiographer who has enjoyed a high
Daphne level of popularity for her ability to create dramatic, serious, and sometimes extremely
(1907-1989) humorous scenes.
B Dumas, Alexandre He was the son of a famous General who served under Napoleon. He lived most of his
(1802-1870) life as a romantic adventure moving from mistress to mistress and dodging his
creditors until he died penniless but not devoid of spirit. He also participated in the
French Revolution in 1830. His most famous works are The Man in the Iron Mask,
The Three Musketeers, and The Count of Monte Cristo.
A/B Eliot, T.S. Thomas Stearns Eliot was a poet, dramatist, and literary critic. He received the Nobel
(1888-1965) Prize in Literature in 1948. Among his most famous writings are the poems “The Love
Song of J. Alfred Prufrock,” “The Waste Land,” “The Hollow Men,” “Ash
Wednesday” and “Four Quartets;” the plays Murder in the Cathedral and The Cocktail
Party; and the essay "Tradition and the Individual Talent".
A Ellison, Ralph His most famous work, The Invisible Man, focuses on the unjust structure of a society
(1914-1994) dominated by racial prejudice. Ellison’s style has the power to describe scenes that
flow from realistic to fantastic imagery. He said about his objective in creating his
main character for Invisible Man,“ My task was one of revealing the human universals
hidden within the plight of one who was both black and American…”
A Emerson, Ralph 19th century author who was the main influential figure for the Transcendentalists. His
Waldo works are mainly a reflective, poetic examination of the human soul to be awakened
(1803-1882) and connected to the world around it. His most famous work is Self Reliance.
A Erdrich, Louise Being of Native American descent, she considers anyone of the Native American
(1954- ) culture to be a “survivor.” Her work portrays the endurance of the Chippewa in
particular. Love Medicine is her most famous work.
A Faulkner, William Well known for his surreal complex style, Faulkner focused his work around his “own
(1821- 1880) little postage stamp of native soil” in Mississippi. He wrote numerous short stories and
novels, such as: The Sound and the Fury, The Unvanquished, and As I Lay Dying.
B Flaubert, Gustave Proponent of the idea that art is valuable for its own sake without any need to
(1821-1880) moralize. His characters and situations he crease focuses the reader on, in Flaubert’s
own words, “the stupidity of the world” Madame Bovary is his most famous work.
A Foer, Jonathan He traveled to Ukraine in 1999 to research his grandfather's life. This trip resulted in
Safran the inspiration for his debut novel, Everything Is Illuminated. In his second novel,
(1977- ) Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, Foer uses 9/11 as a backdrop for the story of 9-
year-old Oskar Schell learning to deal with the death of his father in the World Trade
Center. Both novelsutilize many nontraditional writing techniques. Foer's utilization of
these techniques has resulted in both glowing praise and harsh censure
B Forester, E.M. The focus of his work is on portraying human relationships and how those
(1879-1970) relationships fail through a lack of emotional depth. He believed that literature opened
up doors into the fantastical and created pathways to the supernatural.
A Gaines, Ernest Modern African American author who delves into the historical and social conditions
(1933-) of African Americans in the United States and the responses those conditions demand
in changing world we live in now. Two of his most famous novels are A Gathering of
Old Men and A Lesson Before Dying.
A Gilman, Charlotte Militant feminist author who wrote to further the view of female equality. She wrote a
Perkins mixture of fiction, persuasive political writing, and scientific study. Gilman used her
(1860-1935) own experiences with mental illness to argue that the male dominated societal
structure of her times was debilitating to the individual.
B Gogol, Nikolai Russian writer who satirized his culture in such works as: Dead Souls, Revizor, The
(1809-1852) Marriage, and “The Overcoat.”
B Gordimer, Nadine Gordimer is a South African writer who experienced, first hand, the horrors and
(1923-) oppression of Apartheid. Her writhing usually takes on political and social
connotations. She is most highly regarded for her vivid short stories. In1991 she
received the Pulitzer Prize for Literature which was apropos for the fact that apartheid
was then being dismantled.
B Graham, Greene An English author, playwright and literary critic. His works explore the ambivalent
(1940-1991) moral and political issues of the modern world. Catholic religious themes are at the
root of much of his writing, especially the four major Catholic novels: Brighton Rock,
The Heart of the Matter, The End of the Affair and The Power and the Glory. Later
works such as The Quiet American, Our Man in Havana and The Comedians also
show an avid interest in the workings of international politics and espionage.
A Haley, Alex African American author of historical fiction. Haley is mainly concerned with
(1921-1992) analyzing the foundations and structures of African American culture. His most
famous works include Roots and The Autobiography of Malcolm X.
A Hansberry, An extremely talented playwright, Hansberry’s career was cut short by her death from
Lorraine cancer at the age of 34 .Still, her plays had a tremendous impact on the theatrical
(1930-1965) world. She explores the struggles of ordinary people and the heritage of oppression
faced by African Americans. Her most famous play is A Raisin in the Sun.
B Hardy, Thomas He started his career as an architect. This English author wrote novels and poetry that
(1840-1928) cut to the core of an individual’s struggle to understand himself. His novels include:
Tess of the D’ubervilles, Return of the Native and Far From the Madding Crowd.
B Head, Bessie South African female author whose work expresses deep felt opposition to all forms of
(1937-1986) oppression. She views oppression as a symptom of the human condition rather than as
an issue attributable to one race or group of people.
A Heinlein, Robert An excellent science fiction writer who focused on making realistic and plausible
(1907-1988) characters to function in his futuristic settings. His most popular and probably best
book is Stranger in a Strange Land.
A Hemmingway, One of America’s most highly regarded authors, Hemmingway wrote several novels
Ernest (Farewell to Arms, For Whom the Bell Tolls, The Old Man and the Sea, The Sun Also
(1899-1961) Rises, etc.) and short stories (“Hills Like White Elephants,” “A Clean, Well-Lighted
Place,” etc). His main concern was to show the human condition under pressure and to
explore what defines us in the face of strife and trial. He served as a war correspondent
and ambulance driver in WWI. He was wounded in battle in WWI. He spent most of
his years after the war in Paris where he was part of a literary circle including many
famous authors. His life ended tragically and ironically. He killed himself as his father
had done before him.
A Heresy, John Journalist who awakened our understanding of the moral horror caused by the nuclear
(Modern) bombing of Hiroshima in his book by that name.
B Hesse, Herman German writer whose fascination with the country of India swept up both the subject
(1877-1962) of his work as a writer and his life. His work celebrates the India culture and it’s views
on human spirituality. His characters discover the need for authentic love and seek
spiritual fulfillment through transcendent quests. His most famous work is Siddartha.
He also wrote the novels Demian, Steppenwolf, Magister Ludi, and Narcissus and
Goldmund. He won the Pulitzer Prize for literature in 1947.
B Hornby, Nick A literary critic and author whose works have become immensely popular because of
(1957-) his acknowledgment and critique of pop culture as a major influence upon the lives of
both himself, his characters and everyone in the world for that matter. Some of his
novels include: High Fidelity, About a Boy, A Long Way Down, How to Be Good and
Songbook.
A Hughes, Langston One of the central figures of the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920’s, Hughes was a
(1902-1967) prolific writer of poetry, short stories, essays, plays, and novels. Hughes is one of the
best known and most highly regarded authors of this era.
B Hugo, Victor A French poet, playwright, novelist, essayist, visual artist, statesman, human rights
(1802-1885) activist and perhaps the most influential exponent of the Romantic movement in
France. Among many volumes of poetry, Les Contemplations and La Légende des
siècles stand particularly high in critical esteem, and Hugo is sometimes identified as
the greatest French poet. Outside France, his best-known works are the novels
Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre Dame).
A Hunt, Irene Writer of historical and adolescent fiction. Across Five Apples is an account depicting
(1907-2001) life during the Civil War. No Promises in the Wind follows a pair of brothers through
the Great Depression. Her novel The Lottery Rose was one of the first in a movement
towards realistic adolescent fiction.
A Hurston, Zora Neal She was a flamboyant and independent young woman who ended up dying peniless in
(1891-1960) a welfare home. She sought to portray the richness of black culture that she knew as a
girl growing up in all black community in Florida. Hurston was somewhat sheltered
from the racial injustices of the broader world and criticized for presenting too nice a
view of African American Culture. Her response was, “My interest lies in what makes
a man do such and so forth regardless of his color.” She was the most widely
published black author of her time. Her most successful work is Their Eyes Were
Watching God.
B Huxley, Alduous Science Fiction author whose work provides an allegorical criticism of the
(1894-1963) modernization and scientific advances he was witness to during his time. His most
important and popular work is A Brave New World. Other works include: Island and
The Doors of Perception.
B Ibsen, Henrik Accomplished 19th century Norwegian playwright who wrote most of his plays in
(1828-1906) prose. His main focus was on dramatizing the social and philosophical issues facing
the middle class of his time. By the end of his life, he was regarded one of the most
influential playwrights of his time and referred to as the “grand old man”. A Doll’s
House is one of his most famous plays.
A Irving, John A modern novelist who became famous with his novel The World According to Garp
(1942-) and has followed that success with other memorable titles, such as The Cider House
Rules and A Prayer for Owen Meaney.
A Irving, Washington Early American storyteller who gave us The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Rip Van
(1783-1859) Winkle, and “The Devil and Tom Walker.”
B James, P.D. Modern mystery writer who combines the genre of mystery with deep philosophical
(Modern) and religious questioning. Her work, A Taste for Death, creates tension between the
modern realist view of reality and life based on faith.
B Johnson Ben A contemporary and friend of Shakespeare, Johnson had quite a reputation as a
(1572-1637 playwright and was considered by some of to be superior to Shakespeare.
B Joyce, James Irish author, who wrote at the turn of the 20th century, Joyce is considered one of the
(1882-1941) best modern writers of prose. His most predominant theme is that of the individual
struggling against an oppressive and decadent environment. His novels include: A
Portrait of a Young Man as an Artist, Ulysses, Dubliners, Finnegan’s Wake, and
Exiles
B Kafka, Franz His work is often describes as tragic, and unsettling. He’s crates imagery in his works
(1883-1924) that lead to the deepest philosophical questions. His purpose was to awaken his reader
to possibilities. He once said, “A book must be the axe for the frozen sea inside of us.”
Check out the short story “The Metamorphosis.”
A Kerouauc, Jack His work graphically chronicles the restless wandering life he led. On the Road is his
(1922-1969) most famous work. He is credited for starting the “beat” movement among his
generation.
A Kesey, Ken Modern American author who explores the effects of change on the human condition,
(1935-2001) the issue of sanity. His work is usually based around a hero figure that takes on
symbolic meaning. His most famous work is One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
A Kingsolver, Her works The Bean Trees, Pigs in Heaven, The Poisonwood Bible and Animal
Barbara Dreams, create vivid, realistic, and sometimes surprising scenes. Kingsolver is highly
(1955-) acclaimed for her ability to bring characters to life, use humor, and yet keep an
undercurrent of human struggle running through her work.
A Kinsella, W.P. Author of Shoeless Joe, which was the inspiration for the movie Field of Dreams.
(1935-) Kinsella provides a thoughtful look at the world of baseball and how it relates back to
life.
B Kipling, Rudyard He was probably the most widely read British author of the first decade of the
(1865-1936 twentieth century. Kipling’s fame was mainly based on the sometimes exciting,
sometimes hilarious stories about British soldiers and adventures abroad. He wrote
the poem “White Man’s Burden” (as well as many others) and two of his famous
novels include The Jungle Book and Just So Stories.
A Krakauer, Jon Northwestern journalist who is most famous for his controversial account, Into Thin
(1954-) Air, of a tragic mountain climbing expedition to the top of Mt. Everest that he was on
where several people died. . Research upon him would include researching the events
that surround this work and his other book, Into the Wild, about the disappearance of a
young man in the Alaskan tundra. Other novels include Eiger Dreams and Under the
Banner of Heaven.
A Kozol, Jonathan Kozol is an advocate for the poor, the homeless, the forgotten, and the under-
(1936-) privileged. He fights to eradicate injustice, and to create equal opportunity for all the
members of society, especially the children. His most notable books are Amazing
Grace and Savage Inequalities.
A L’amour, Louis Historical fiction writer who reportedly visited every place her ever wrote about.
(1908-1988) L’amour wrote over 70 western novels and several books of short stories as well as an
autobiographical work. He was influenced by the romantic power of the Old West.
Much of his work romanticizes and glorifies the struggle for survival on the frontier.
B Lawrence, D.H His father was a coal miner, a fact immediately that separated him from the other
(1885-1930) writers of his time. While he was widely held to be a literary genius, he never felt
comfortable in the class-structure society and instead sought a Utopian community in
which to live. His style is imaginative, blunt, and entirely serious. He is a prolific poet
and has written many novels, considered to be scandalous at the time, such as: Sons
and Lovers, Lady Chatterley’s Lover, and Rainbow.
B Lessing, Doris Her work is deeply focused on the psychological and sociological aspects of human
(1919-) experience. One critic defined her work as “enormously lucid sociological
journalism.” Her works include The Grass is Singing and The Golden Notebook.
B Lewis, C.S A modern English philosopher, author, and professor. Lewis’ fiction is mainly
(1898-1963) allegorical and focused on religious themes. He was a prolific writer and thinker on
the human condition, literature, and theology. (NOTE: You may not use the first
installment of the Narnia Chronicles –The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe--for this
project.)
A Lewis, Sinclair He is famous for creating ambitious, flawed character that becomes disillusions, with
(1885-1951) the selfish goals they pursue. His most famous works include Babbit, Arrowsmith, and
Main Street.
A London, Jack A rugged realist who based most of his stories, around man vs nature motifs. London
(1879-1916) lived a rugged life as a seaman, minor, and pirate. London lived a life of self-
gratification spending every penny that he ever earned. He wrote a great many short
stories and his novels include: The Sea Wolf, White Fang and Call of the Wild.
B Lorca, Garcia He was assassinated in 1936 by Spanish Nationals who feared that his poetry and
(1898-1936) influence as a writer could hurt their movement. Lorca was considered one of Spain’s
greatest playwrights and poets. His work was inspired by the cultural and natural
beauty of Andalusia, the countryside of his growing up. He fused dreams and reality
surrealistically in his works, such as: Poet in New York & House of Bernarda Alba.
B Machiavelli, Italian author who wrote during the Renaissance (1500’s). He was mainly concerned
Niccolo with the importance of reason in relation to political power. His most famous work is
(1469-1527) The Prince.
A MaClean, Norman If you are curious about how the movie, A River Runs Through It, reads and whether
(1902-1990) or not he wrote anything else, this is the author for you.
A Malamud, Bernard Modern Jewish author who focuses on the social phenomenon of Anti-Semitism in
(1914-1986) some of his work. Malamud is a highly regarded short story teller and novelist. His
most famous novels are The Fixer and The Natural.
B Mann, Thomas Mann opposed the Nazi regime and was forced to leave his native Germany as a
(1875-1955) result. His work focuses in on the conflicted state of European culture of his times. His
novel Dr. Faustus is an allegorical tale about the raise of Nazism. He also published
several other novels and short stories.
B Marlowe, A contemporary of Shakespeare and actually his greatest rival. Marlowe lived the
Christopher dashing turbulent kind of life that he wrote about. He was killed in a bar; some would
(1564-1593) say by the husband of one of his lovers. His most famous work is Doctor Faustus.
A Marquez, Gabriel Columbian writer who is famous for a style called “magical reason” which combines
Garcia (1928- ) realistic storytelling with elements of folklore and fantasy. This style has aided him in
his quest to depict some of the incredible realities in his turbulent homeland. Some
novels include: Love in the Time of Cholera and One Hundred Years of Solitude.
A McCarthy, Cormac This gifted author has written ten novels in the Southern Gothic, western, and post-
(1933- ) apocalyptic genres, and has also written plays and screenplays. He received the
Pulitzer Prize in 2007 for The Road, and his 2005 novel No Country for Old Men was
adapted i as a 2007 film of the same name. Other novels include The Border Trilogy
(All the Pretty Horses, The Crossing, Cities of the Plain), and Blood Meridian.
(NOTE: If you choose to read No Country for Old Men then you must also read
another novel by this author).
A McCullers, Carson At the age of twenty-three she shocked the literary world with her masterpiece The
(1917-1967) Heart is a Lonely Hunter. Her work focuses on an old cross-section of humanity that
illustrates social isolation and spiritual crisis common in our society.
A McMurtry, Larry Historical fiction writer who explores the struggles faced by those who came West in
(1936-) the mid to late 19th century.
A Melville, Herman Author of such novels as: Moby Dick, Billy Budd, Typee, and Oomo. The story of the
(1819-1891) Great White Whale called Moby Dick and his pursuer Captain Ahab is a classic
allegorical tale combining both Transcendental and Dark Romantic ideals.
A Michener, James Historical fiction writer who explores the lives of people who have lived on several
(1907-1997) frontiers. He deals with fiction from a historical point of view. Centennial, Hawaii,
and Alaska are some of his novels.
A Miller, Arthur He was a prominent figure in American literature and cinema for over 61 years,
(1915-2005) writing a wide variety of plays, including celebrated plays such as The Crucible,
A View from the Bridge, All My Sons, and Death of a Salesman, which are still
studied and performed worldwide. (NOTE: You MAY NOT read The Crucible for
this report; choose another play from the list).
B Milton, John An English poet, prose polemicist and civil servant for the Commonwealth of
(1608-1674 England. He is best known for his lengthy epic poem Paradise Lost, a re-telling of the
Creation of the world, Adam and Eve, and the Fall of Satan. Incidentally, he was blind
when he composed Paradise Lost with the help of his daughter who acted as scribe.
Milton is also known for his treatise condemning censorship, Areopagitica.
A Momaday, Scott Native American writer and professor of literature that focuses on the depth of his
(1934-) character experience as they relate to nature and culture. House Made of Dawn and In
the Presence of the Sun
A Morrison, Toni Modern African-American author whose violent, graphic and disturbing depictions of
(1931-) life cause the reader to question the structuring of society and the individual
consciousness. Her novels include: Beloved, Song of Solomon, Paradise, and Sula.
A Myers, Walter Modern African-American author who has mainly focused on writing young adult
Dean fiction. Myers also writes a tremendously engaging novel inspired by his own
(1937-) brother’s death called Fallen Angels about the Vietnam War. Myers has been an
influential figure in the world of young adult literature for the past two decades.
B Nabakov, Vladimir A Russian-American author most known for his shocking novel Lolita and his memoir
(1899-1977) Speak, Memory.
A Naylor, Gloria Her most famous novel The Women of Brewster Place chronicles the struggle of a
(1950-) small group of African American women to overcome the obstacles of racism,
poverty, and the objectification of women.
B O’Brian, Patrick An English novelist and translator, best known for his Aubrey–Maturin series of
(1914-2000) novels set in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars and centered on the
friendship of English Naval Captain Jack Aubrey and the Irish–Catalan physician
Stephen Maturin. The twenty-novel series is known for its well-researched and highly
detailed portrayal of early 19th century life.
A O’Brien, Tim O’Brien’s experiences in Vietnam shaped his life and consequently his writing. His
1946-) novels The Things They Carried and Going After Cacciato are stories set in Vietnam,
the former being highly respected by Vietnam Veterans and literary critics for
accurately capturing the pre, during, and post emotional experiences of the soldiers.
A O’Connor, She writes deep, sometimes comic fiction the draws the reader into a rhythmic flow of
Flannery life in the American south. A famous short story is “A Good Man is Hard to Find”
(1925-1964) and Wise Blood is one of two famous novels she wrote.
A O’Neill, Eugene His plays involve characters who inhabit the fringes of society, engaging in depraved
(1888-1953) behavior, where they struggle to maintain their hopes and aspirations but ultimately
slide into disillusionment and despair. Some of his plays include: The Hairy Ape, The
Iceman Cometh, Long Day’s Jouney into Night, Anna Christie, Desire Under the
Elms, Strange Interlude, Ah Wilderness!, and Mourning Becomes Elecktra.
A Oates, Joyce Carol Prolific author whose sophisticated and surrealistic style highlights the struggle
(1938-) individuals undergo to gain control and independence within oppressive social
structures
B Orwell, George You know him for Animal Farm and 1984, but Orwell wrote extensively on other
(1903-1950) subjects as well. He also wrote many short stories and personal narratives about his
world travels.
B Levi, Primo Levi’s curiosity and intelligence caused him to expound on a number of subjects in a
(1919-1987) variety of genres and form. He is bet known for his writing about being a survivor of
the Holocaust. His best known work is Survival in Auschwitz.
A Palahniuk, Chuck A modern satirist with a shocking and abrasively blunt approach to socially “taboo”
(1962-) topics. He is the author of Fight Club, Survivor , Lullaby, Choke, and Stranger Than
Fiction (nonfiction- believe it or not).
B Pasternak, Boris He was fifty years old when WWII broke out and lived the remainder of his life under
(1890-1960) the shadow of Stalin’s reign of terror. His friendship with Stalin’s life and usefulness
as a translator of literature may have saved his life. He published his Pulitzer Prize
winning novel in 1953 after Stalin’s death. Soviet authorities forced him to not accept
the award by threatening him to his friends. He spent the remaining years of his life in
the Soviet Union but exiled from its writer’s union.
A Plath, Sylvia Her writing has been described as having a vivid grotesque clarity. Modern poet who
(1932-19630 lived a highly turbulent life that ended in her own suicide. She wrote an autobiography
called The Bell Jar as well as a great deal of complex poetry.
A Paz, Octavio Mexican author who contrast the values of Mexicans with those of Americans. He
(1914-1998 ) says about being Mexican, “To us the secret lies not in getting ahead but in managing
to stay where we already are. It is the opposition between the wind and the rock…”
Paz wrote a book called The Labyrinth of Solitude which developed his thoughts on
Mexican culture and heritage. He is also an accomplished poet who greatly
experimented with style, meaning, and form. Much of his work takes on the
surrealistic and abstract tone common to much modern poetry.
B Pope, Alexander He is generally regarded as the greatest English poet of the eighteenth century, best
(1688-1744) known for his satirical verse. He is the third most frequently quoted writer in the
English language, after Shakespeare and Tennyson. Duncaid is a lengthy epic poem,
but he is most famous for his poems “The Rape of the Locke,” and “An Essay on
Man.”
A Porter, Katherine She is known as a disciplined writer of impeccable style and precision. Her work is
Anne (1890-1980) filled with irony, concentrated on specific times and places, and specifically focused.
She spent a great deal of her life in Mexico working for leftist movements.
A Potok, Chaim Jewish American writer who vividly depicts the tension between Orthodox Judaism
(1929-2002) and assimilation into American culture for his characters. The Chosen, The Promise,
and My Name is Asher Lev are the three of his excellent novels.
B Pushkin, Alexander Russian poet who se turbulent life ended short with his death in a duel. He was
(1799-1837) considered by many to be Russia’s finest poet. He was a master of narrative poetry
and literary ballads as well as short prose.
A/B Rand, Ayn Anti-communist philosopher and author, Rand’s dystopia novels focus on the flaws of
(1905-1982) subverting individuality for socialist forms of government. She was, however, known
by some as an elitist, arrogant person. Anthem, The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged
are her most famous works.
B Remarque, Erich A German author whose most famous work, All Quiet on the Western Front, is
(1898-1970) inspired by his experience in World War I. The novel described the utter cruelty of the
war from the perspective of a twenty year old soldier; it is a realistic depiction of what
occurred within the heart and mind of the German soldier during the WWI.
Interestingly, Hitler banned and burned Remarque’s writings.
A Rodriguez, Luis J. The son of Mexican immigrants, he grew up in Watts and East Los Angeles. His
(1954-) autobiographical novel, Always Running, about his life as a gang member, brought
him notoriety and has allowed him to develop his craft as a poet, journalist and critic.
Currently, he works with inner-city gangs as a peacemaker
A Rodriguez, Richard Controversial in many Hispanic communities because of his push for assimilation into
(1944-) mainstream American culture. Rodriguez writes about striving to succeed in the midst
of poverty and racial oppression. His works include Hunger of Memory: The
Education of Richard Rodriguez, a narrative about his development as a literate,
American student.
B Rostand, Edmond A French poet and dramatist most revered for his literary masterpiece Cyrano De
(1868-1918) Bergerac. Two of his plays include: Chantecler and The Romancers.
A Salinger, J.D His controversial novel Cather in the Rye won him instant fame. His character in that
(1919-) story, Holden Caulfield, takes an introspective journey throughout the novel that takes
many bizarre turnings. Other novels include: Franny and Zooey, Nine Stories and
Raise High the Roofbeam, Carpenters, and Seymour: An Introduction.
A Sandburg, Carl Very popular American poet who regarded himself as a poet of the common people.
(1878-1967) He was widely popular but not completely accepted by the literary elite of his time.
Sandburg mainly wrote poetry, but also won the Pulitzer prize for his extensive
biography of Abraham Lincoln, The War Years. Sandburg idolized Lincoln as a hero
of the people.
B Saki (Hector Hugo Tremendously gifted English satirist and short story writer. His career was cut short
Munro) when he was killed in action in WWI. You may be familiar with his story “The
(1870-1916) Interlopers.”
B Sassoon, Siegfried An English poet and author who became known as a writer of satirical anti-war verse
(1886-1967) during World War I. He later won acclaim for his prose work. Memoirs of a Fox-
Hunting Man and Memoirs of an Infantry Officer are two of his reknowned novels.
A Sebold, Alice An American novelist who has published three books: the autobiographical Lucky
(1963-) (1999), The Lovely Bones (2002) and The Almost Moon (2007).
B Shakespeare The English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English
(1564-1616) language and the world's preeminent dramatist. His most significant plays include:
Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello, King Lear, Romeo and Juliet, Julius Ceasar, The Tempest,
Richard III, Henry IV, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Much Ado About Nothing,
TheTaming of the Shrew, The , Merchant of Venice, As You Like It, etc.
(NOTE: You MAY NOT read Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, or Hamlet for
this research paper. Choose another play to read.)
B Shaw, Bernard Shaw once said, “When I am writing a play I never invent a plot. I let the play write
(1856-1950) itself and shape itself, which it always does even when up to the last moment I do not
foresee the way put.” His focus on character development and meaning instead of plot
is what distinguished him as one of the foremost English dramatists of his time.
Pygmalion is his most famous play.
B Shelley, Mary A British novelist, short story writer, dramatist, essayist, biographer, and travel writer,
(1797-1851) best known for her Gothic novel Frankenstein.
A Silko, Leslie Native American author, who explores the fragmentation of cultures and lives and
Marmon their results. She also celebrates and challenges us to think critically about the way
(1948-) cultures interact and the prejudice reactions people have towards one another. Her
most famous novel is Ceremony.
A Simon, Neil An American playwright and screenwriter who is one of the most reliable hitmakers in
(1927- ) Broadway history, as well as one of the most performed playwrights in the world.
Some of his most noteable plays include: Barefoot in the Park, The Odd Couple,
Brighton Beach Memoirs, and Biloxi Blues.
A Sinclair, Upton His depiction in The Jungle of the plight of the working class during the industrial
(1878-1968) revolution had a major impact on our society. He stated about his work, “I wrote with
tears and anguish pouring into the pages all the pain that life had meant to me.”
B Solzheinitzyn, Solzhenitzyn’s work revolves around his personal experiences as a prisoner in the
Alexander Siberian Soviet work cramps. After spending several years in the camps he was
(1918-) released and then diagnosed with cancer. After battling cancer, he finally was able to
live the life of a scholar and writer. His works are a tremendous contribution to the
world. He presents us with the observation of a direct witness to oppression and
human suffering. One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich is a personal account of a
day in the camps.
A Soto, Gary He grew up as a Hispanic migrant worker in Fresno California. He was written
(1952-) numerous books of poetry including Cool Salsa and Living up the Streets. Soto paints
vivid pictures of the cultural and social backgrounds of life. Much of his work focuses
on the experience of moving from childhood to adulthood.
B Spender, Stephen An English poet, novelist and essayist who concentrated on themes of social injustice
(1909-1995) and the class struggle in his work. The Temple and Trial of a Judge are two of his
famous works. World within a World is the tiltle of his memoirs.
A Steinbeck, John The Pearl, Of Mice and Men, East of Eden, The Grapes of Wrath, The Red Pony,
(1902-1968) Travels with Charley, Tortilla Flat and Cannery Row is just a sliver of the excellent
work he produced. NOTE: Because you have already read The Pearl and Of Mice and
Men in school, you must read other novels for this project.
B Stevenson, Robert A Scottish novelist, poet, essayist, and travel writer. He is most known for his novels
Louis (1850-1894) Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Treasure Island.
B Stewart, Mary A popular English novelist, best known for her series about Merlin (The Crystal Cave,
(1916-) The Hollow Hills, The Last Enchantment), which straddles the boundary between the
historical novel and the fantasy genre.
B Stoker, Bram An Irish writer of novels and short stories, who is best known today for his 1897
(1847-1912) horror novel Dracula.
A Stowe, Harriet Her novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin rocked the nation in the early 1800’s and was even said
Beecher to be one of the causes of the Civil War,. Since, her work has received much criticism,
(1811-1896) her critics arguing that her characters are not realistic depictions of the Negro society
they are meant to represent.
B Swift Jonathan Born in Dublin Ireland of English decent, Swift was well educated and involved in the
(1667-1745) turbulent political spheres of both Ireland and England. He became disenchanted with
what he saw occurring in the political, sphere and returned to Ireland and became a
priest. He is a noted satirist that used his works such as Gulliver’s Travels and “A
Modest Proposal” to level criticism at the problems and people of his rime.
A Tan, Amy Asian American author that celebrates her Asian roots and the strength of individuals,
(1952-) highlights the tensions of assimilation, and criticizes the gender inequality she sees in
both culture. Check out these titles: The Joy Luck Club, The Kitchen God’s Wife and
The Bonesetter’s Daughter.
A Taylor, Mildred African American author who focuses on oppressed characters and families that most
(1943-) often rise above the racist circumstances under which they live. Her works include
Song of the Trees, the first in a series of the Logan family.
B Thomas, Dylan A British author who wrote plays, poetry, short stories, and scripts for film and radio,
(1914-1953) which he often performed himself. His public readings, particularly in America, won
him great acclaim. His best-known works include the play Under Milk Wood and the
poems “Do not go gentle into that good night,” and “Fern Hill.”
A Thurber, James Humorist and satirist. Thurber had a difficult childhood due to his poor eyesight and
(1894-1961) glass eyeball he received after an accident at the age of six. He was constantly picked
on and left friendless until his gift for writing and for creating cartoons made him a
popular figure at Ohio State University. Thurber spent most of his life working as a
writer and editor for The New Yorker. His work is a funny but serious portrayal of the
weaknesses he sees in humanity. For instance when commenting on humanities hopes
for ever understanding life he once wrote, “(man)…is surely farther away from the
Answer than any other animal this side of the ladybug.”
B Tolkein, J.R.R Contemporary and friend of C.S. Lewis. His novels The Hobbit and Lord of the Ring
(1892-1973) Trilogy are two of the pillars of the fantasy genre. He creates an elaborate world filled
with classical figures of good and evil.
B Tolstoy, Leo One of the great moral voices of the 19th century, Tolstoy rejected the established
(1828-1910) religious and social structures of life for a more aesthetic and drastic view. His work
emphasizes the opposition between spirituality and materials behind a backdrop of war
and social strife. Much of his work is allegorical in nature.
A Trumbo, Dalton Famous for his controversial novel, Johnny Got His Gun, which was banned in the late
(1905-1976) 1930’s because of its graphic anti-war message.
A Updike, John A prolific writer of novels, short stories, poems and essays whose subject matter deals
(1932-) with the intermingling of sex, faith and death in a realistic, middle class setting. His
writings include the famous Rabbit series, The Centaur, and Gertrude and Claudius.
B Voltaire A philosopher known for his wit and defense of civil liberties, including freedom of
(1694-1778) religion and free trade. Voltaire was a prolific writer, and produced works in almost
every literary form, authoring plays, poetry, novels, essays, historical and scientific
works, over 20,000 letters and over two thousand books and pamphlets. He was one of
several Enlightenment figures whose works and ideas influenced important thinkers of
both the American and French Revolutions. Candide is his most famous work.
A Vonnegut, Kurt Science fiction author whose work provides a poignant critique of society.
(1922-2007) Slaughterhouse Five and Player Piano are two of his many novels and the short story
“Harrison Bergeron” (found in the collection of short stories called Welcome to the
Monkey House) is a powerful short story about equality.
A Walker, Alice African American poet and novelist. Her most famous work is the disturbing and
(1944-) graphic novel The Color Purple. She consistently explores the nature of oppressive
relationships, with her characters struggling to overcome.
A Walker, Margaret Margaret Walker was born in 1915 and was part of the first real noticed generation of
(1915-1988) African American writers. She wrote poetry, a great deal of poetry, and a historical
novel called Jubilee about the Civil War through the eyes of a black female slave. She
lived most of her life in Jackson Mississippi where she was a college professor of
English and mother of four.
B Waugh, Arthur An English writer, best known for such darkly humorous and satirical novels as
Evelyn Decline and Fall, Vile Bodies, Scoop, A Handful of Dust, and The Loved One, as well
(1903-1966) as for serious works, such as Brideshead Revisited and the Sword of Honour trilogy
that clearly manifest his Catholic background. Many of Waugh's novels depict British
aristocracy and high society, which he savagely satirises but to which he was also
strongly attracted.
A Wharton, Edith Wharton’s most famous novel, The Age of Innocence, won the Pulitzer Prize in 1920.
(1862-1937) Wharton came from a wealthy Easter family, and lived a relatively benign life until
her husband went insane. Her resulting boredom of being an aging matron led her into
writing. Ethan Fromme is another of her well-known novels.
A Whitman, Walt Controversial transcendental poet who explored issues of self reliance, transcendence,
(1819-1892) freedom, and human suffering. Whitman spent time as a nurse during the Civil War.
His most famous work is his poetry collection Leaves of Grass.
B White, T.H The Once and Future King is a re-telling of the Arthurian legend of the Knights of the
(1906-1964) Round Table and the end of feudalism.
B Wiesel, Elie Survivor of the Holocaust, Wiesel won the Nobel Prize of Peace in 1986. His life and
(1929-) work is devoted to remembering the stories of those destroyed in the holocaust that
they might not be forgotten. His most famous work is Night, published in 1956. Since,
he has written a sequel called Dawn.
B Wilde, Oscar He was a flamboyant and stylish individual. Born in Dublin Ireland and well educated
(1854-1900) at Trinity College in the arts, he was the most vigorous proponent of writing “art for
art’s sake.” As a result, much of his work is a humorous mockery of the Victorian age
of literature out of which he is sprung. However, he works also tends to have an
underlying power beyond the humor and flashy style which is genuinely intellectual.
His most famous play is The Importance of Being Earnest. His famous novel is The
Picture of Dorian Gray.
A Williams, A major American playwright who won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his plays
Tennessee A Streetcar Named Desire and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. The Glass Menagerie and The
(1911-1983) Night of the Iguana are two other well-known plays.
B Woolf, Virginia Prolific novelist, essayist, and literary critic, Virginia Woolf was one of the strongest
(1882-1941) feminist voices of the early 20th century. Her style is dense, philosophical and
introspective. Her most famous works include A Room of One’s Own and To the
Lighthouse.
A Wolfe, Thomas Wolfe wrote four lengthy novels, plus many short stories, dramatic works and novel
(1900-1933) fragments. His books, written and published during the 1920s and 1930s, reflect
vividly on American culture and mores of the period, albeit filtered through Wolfe's
sensitive, sophisticated and hyper-analytical perspective. His major works include:
Look Homeward Angel and You Can’t Go Home Again.
A Wright, Richard An African-American author from the Harlem Renaissance movement who wrote the
(1908-1960) highly acclaimed Black Boy and Native Son.