college board’s 101 great books for college-bound students this list has been modified to include...
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COLLEGE BOARD’S 101 GREAT BOOKS FOR COLLEGE-BOUND STUDENTS
THIS LIST HAS BEEN MODIFIED TO INCLUDE LISTED AUTHORS’ ADDITIONAL
WORKS.
NOTE: SOME TITLES MAY CONTAIN MATURE THEMES. PLEASE DISCUSS YOUR CHOICE WITH YOUR PARENTS,
TEACHERS, OR LIBRARIAN TO FIND AN APPROPRIATE CHOICE.
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101+ Great Books
BEOWULF, THE ULTIMATE HERO, FIGHTS THE EVIL , “BORN IN SLIME” MONSTER
SEEKING TO AVENGE HIS MONSTER MOTHER’S DEATH
(WRITTEN IN VERSE)
AdventureBeowulf
OKONKWO , LOCAL NIGERIAN WRESTLING CHAMPION, MARRIED TO THREE WIVES,
SHARES THE IMPACT OF CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES ON HIS COMMUNITY.
DramaThings Fall Apart
WHY CAN’T WE JUST BE FRIENDS?
OPPRESSED, A GROUP OF RABBITS STRUGGLE TO LIVE IN PEACE
AdventureWatership Down
A SUDDEN DEATH DESTROYS A FAMILY EMOTIONAL AND POIGNANT
GRAB YOUR TISSUES
DramaA Death in the Family
MAYA ANGELOU’S AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL NOVEL ABOUT HER EARLY YEARS. SHE
GROWS FROM BEING A VICTIM OF RACISM AND VIOLENCE TO STRONG,
INDEPENDENT WOMAN.
DramaI Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
SINGLE, NOT LOOKING FOR LOVE, EMMA TRIES TO BE THE MATCHMAKER FOR ALL
HER FRIENDS… UNTIL SHE IS DRAWN INTO THE WORLD OF ROMANCE.
RomanceEmma
IT WAS NOT LOVE AT F IRST S IGHT, BUT WILL STRONG -WILLED ELISABETH AND THE
WEALTHY MR. DARCY OVERCOME THEIR PRIDE AND BE A COUPLE?
(MEANWHILE MOM ARRANGED OTHER ECONOMICALLY ADVANTAGEOUS MARRIAGES
FOR THE OTHER DAUGHTERS.
RomancePride and Prejudice
CAN SISTERS EVER GET ALONG?WHEN ONE IS THE PRACTICAL SISTER
AND ONE IS THE EMOTIONAL SISTER…. THE TWO ARE BOUND TO ARGUE
FamilySense and Sensibility
EARTHLINGS HAVE ESCAPED A DYING EARTH TO COME TO MARS TO CONQUER
SPACE AND COLONIZE THE PLANET. L IFE ON MARS IS NOT LIKE IT USED TO BE…
Adventure… Sci-Fi StyleThe Martian Chronicles
A SHY GOVERNESS FINDS HERSELF FALLING IN LOVE WITH HER MYSTERIOUS
EMPLOYER EDWARD
RomanceJane Eyre
FLASHBACK AND FOLLOW THE UPS AND DOWNS OF THE TEMPESTUOUS LOVE AFFAIR BETWEEN HEATHCLIFF AND
CATHERINE
RomanceWuthering Heights
SET IN CHINA, A PEASANT OVERCOMES NATURE’S WRATH TO BECOME A
SUCCESSFUL LANDOWNER
Historical DramaThe Good Earth
WRONG PLACE, WRONG TIMEA MAN IS CAUGHT UP IN A MURDER IN
ANOTHER COUNTRY
Suspense DramaThe Stranger
A MISSIONARY PRIEST TRAVELS TO THE NEW MEXICO TERRITORY TO WORK WITH
THE CATHOLIC BELIEVERS OF THAT REGION.
Historical & EnlighteningDeath Comes for the Archbishop
ALEXANDRIA ENCOURAGES THE FAMILY MEMBERS TO KEEP HER FATHER’S DREAM
ALIVE. AS HIS DYING WISH, HE ENTRUSTS HER WITH THEIR FARM IN NEBRASKA. (SET IN THE 1890 ’S)
Family DramaO Pioneers
ARE WE THERE YET? TRAVELERS ON A TRIP TO CANTERBURY
ENTERTAIN EACH OTHER BY TELLING STORIES… SOME FUNNY, SOME WITH A
LESSON…
Entertaining The Canterbury Tales
THE MURDER OF A COWBOY LEADS TO VIGILANTES FORMING A POSSE TO HUNT
DOWN THE KILLERWORTH NOTING… IT INCLUDES A
LYNCHING
Western AdventureThe Ox-Bow Incident
ADVENTURER MARLOWE TRAVELS THE CONGO. HE IS GREETED BY SAVAGES AND
CANNIBALISM AS HE IS LOOKING FOR A KURTZ, A COMPANY AGENT, WHO HAS
GONE INSANE
AdventureHeart of Darkness
J IM, ALONG WITH FELLOW BRITISH CREW MEMBERS AND THE CAPTAIN, ABANDON A
SINKING SHIP AND ITS PASSENGERS. THE PASSENGERS SURVIVE AND J IM IS LABELED A COWARD. HE WORKS TO OUTRUN AND TO OVERCOME HIS PAST.
AdventureLord Jim
NATTY BUMPPO IS A YOUNG FRONTIERSMAN IN NEW YORK CIRCA
1740 ’S. HE HAS DANGEROUS SKIRMISHES WITH THE HURON TRIBE.
Historical AdventureThe Deerslayer
1757… FRENC H AND IN DIAN WARA MAN AGR EES TO AC C O MPAN Y TW O S IS TERS THRO UGH THE DANGER O U S, HO S TILE IN DIAN
TERR ITO RY
TRIVIA : HAW KEY E FRO M M* A* S * H * WAS N AMED AFTER THE MAIN C HAR AC TER
AdventureThe Last of the Mohicans
A YOUNG SOLDIER EXPERIENCES THE CONFUSION AND HORROR OF A CIVIL WAR
BATTLEFIELD
WarRed Badge of Courage
( INSERT LATIN ACCENT HERE)OH, YES, ADVENTURES OF THE
LEGENDARY, CHIVALROUS, BRAVE KNIGHT… DON QUIXOTE…
16 T H CENTURY SPAIN
Historical AdventureDon Quixote
THE ORIGINAL SURVIVOR CASTAWAY
AN ENGLISHMAN IS THE SOLE SURVIVOR OF A SHIPWRECK. THIS IS HIS STORY OF
HIS ADVENTURES TRYING TO SURVIVE FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS ON A DESERTED
ISLAND.
C U LT U R A L N O T E : T H E P H R A SE “ M Y M A N F R I D AY ” A L LU D E S T O T H I S N OV E L
AdventureRobinson Crusoe
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR MOTHER DIES AND YOUR STEPFATHER KICKS YOU OUT? READ TO FIND OUT HOW DAVID, HOPING TO SURVIVE AND EVENTUALLY
FIND HAPPINESS, STRUGGLED THROUGH SCHOOL AND LIFE IN LONDON
DramaDavid Copperfield
A BRITISH MYSTERY WITH AN AMAZING CAST:
PIP, THE ORPHANMAGWITCH, THE CONVICTESTELLA, THE BEAUTIFUL
MISS HAVISHAM, THE SPITEFUL AND BEAUTIFULMR. JAGGERS, THE AMBITIOUS LAWYER
MysteryGreat Expectations
AGAIN… A YOUNG KIND-HEARTED ORPHAN… TRAINED FOR A LIFE OF CRIME
IN ORDER TO SURVIVE THE DESPERATE POVERTY… TRIES TO ESCAPE THAT LIFE. REMINDS ONE OF A HARSHER, DARKER,
DEPRESSING ANNIE
DramaOliver Twist
SET DURING THE FRENCH REVOLUTION, NUMEROUS PLOT TWISTS & SECRETS
SURROUND CHARLES DARNEY, A FRENCH ARISTOCRAT, AS HE FIGHTS FOR HIS LIFE
AND LOVE DURING VIOLENT FRENCH REVOLUTION.
SuspenseA Tale of Two Cities
A MONEYLENDER (LOAN SHARK?) AND HER SISTER ARE MURDERED!
AN INVESTIGATION ENSUES, AND A PROSTITUTE WITH A HEART OF GOLD
CONVINCES THE MURDERER TO CONFESS
DramaCrime and Punishment
RECOUNTS DOUGLASS’ L IFE AS A SLAVE AND HIS AMBITION TO BECOME A FREE
MAN
DramaNarrative of the
Life of Frederick Douglass
SIR HENRY BASKERVILLE HAS BEEN WARNED. IF HE MOVES INTO THE CURSED
FAMILY HOME THAT HE INHERITED, HE WILL DIE… CAN SHERLOCK HOLMES HELP
HIM?
MysteryHound of the Baskervilles
CLYDE GRIFFITHS’ RUN IN WITH THE LAW IN KANSAS CITY CAUSES HIM TO FLEE TO
NEW YORK. HE REESTABLISHES HIS LIFE , BUT BECOMES TANGLED IN LOVE AFFAIRS
WITH TWO WOMEN. CLYDE REALIZES THAT ONE OF HIS LOVES MUST HAVE AN
“UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENT.”
DramaAn American Tragedy
SET IN FRANCE & ITALY DURING THE EARLY 1800 ’S, EDMUND WANTS
REVENGE…REVENGE FOR HIS UNJUST PUNISHMENT
OF FOURTEEN YEARS IN PRISON
AdventureCount of Monte Cristo
17 T H CENTURY FRANCEA TALE OF SWASHBUCKLING
FOUR MEN TRY TO OUTWIT THE ENEMIES OF THE KING AND QUEEN
(BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS THE THREE MUSKETEERS?)
AdventureThe Three Musketeers
AS THE FAMILY ATTEMPTS TO CARRY OUT ADDIE’S DYING WISH, THEY EXPERIENCE
SETBACK AFTER TRAGIC SETBACK, INCLUDING A FIRE, A WASHED-OUT
BRIDGE, A SEDUCTION, BROKEN LIMBS… (NOT IN THAT ORDER )
FamilyAs I Lay Dying
FOUR NARRATORS SHARE DIFFERENT EPISODES, SHOWING THE DECLINE OF THE ONCE-NOBLE
COMPTON FAMILY:BENJY: THE 33-YEAR-OLD MENTALLY RETARDED
MANQUENTIN: THE STUDENT WHO COMMITS
SUICIDEJASON: THE BITTER, CYNICAL BROTHERDILSEY: THE FAMILY’S BLACK SERVANT
Psychological FictionThe Sound and the Fury
STAR -CR OSSED LOVER S?TOM, AN ABAN DONED CHI LD, I S D I SCOVER ED AN D R AI SED BY A WEALTHY LAN DOWN ER . AS
A YOU TH, HE FALLS I N LOVE , BU T WI TH A GI R L OU T OF HI S SOCI AL CLASS. THE STORY FOLLOWS TOM AS HE TR AVELS AR OU ND THE
COU N TRY.
ComicThe History of Tom Jones,
a Foundling
A LIFETIME NETWORK MOVIE MOMENT….YOUNG JOHNNY GUNTHER HAS A
CANCEROUS BRAIN TUMOR. THIS IS THE STORY OF HIS STRUGGLE.
FamilyDeath be not proud
“WHAT HAPPENS TO A DREAM DEFERRED?DOES IT DRY UP
LIKE A RAISIN IN THE SUN?” - - L A N G S T O N H U G H E S
IN THIS PLAY, THE YOUNGER FAMILY DREAMS OF LEAVING THEIR CRAMPED CHICAGO
APARTMENT TO MOVE TO A BETTER NEIGHB ORHOOD
DramaA Raisin in the Sun
LIKE ANY HEROINE OF A MODERN SOAP OPERA, BATHSHEBA HAS THE BEAUTY AND
PRIDE TO TOY WITH THREE MEN’S AFFECTIONS: SHEPHERD GABRIEL, PROSPEROUS FARMER WILLIAM, AND
SERGEANT FRANK.
Romantic ComedyFar from the Madding
Crowd
TESS ’S FATE WAS DECIDED THE MOMENT SHE MET ALEC D ’URBERVILLE . HE TOOK HER
INNOCENCE AND CHANGED IN L IFE . AS SHE ATTEMPTS TO MOVE ON, HE CONTINUALLY
WEAVES IN AND OUT OF HER L IFE , CAUSING HEARTACHE UNTIL SHE F INALLY RESOLVES
THE PROBLEM… PERMANENTLY.
DramaTess of the D’urbervilles
HEPZIBAH OPENS A SMALL SHOP IN THE GLOOMY FAMILY MANSION TO HELP
SUPPORT HER BROTHER JUST RELEASED FROM PRISON AFTER SERVING 30 YEARS
FOR MURDER. A MYSTERY UNFOLDS ABOUT THE HOUSE
(FILLED WITH A HISTORY OF WITCHCRAFT AND FRAUD) .
MysteryHouse of the Seven
Gables
YOSSARIAN AND HIS FRIENDS IN THE U.S. ARMY FIGHTING SQUADRON 256 ARE
TIRED OF FLYING MISSIONS DURING WWII . DESPERATE TO STOP, YOSSARIAN
EMPLOYS A NUMBER OF SCHEMES TO AVOID COMBAT FLIGHTS.
War & Social CommentaryCatch 22
LNT. HENRY, AN AMERICAN AMBULANCE DRIVER DURING WWI, EXPERIENCES
BATTLES, INJURY, TREACHERY, LOVE, AND DEFEAT ON THE ITALIAN FRONT
War and RomanceA Farewell to Arms
SPANISH CIVIL WARROBERT JORDAN IS AN EXPLOSIVES
EXPERT SENT TO BLOW UP A BRIDGE. HE AND THE OTHER GUERRILLAS FACE
DEATH.
WarFor Whom the Bell Tolls
1920 ’SEXPATRIATE AMERICAN JAKE BARNS
ATTEMPTS TO FULFILL HIS LIFE WITH DISTRACTING BEHAVIOR:HARD WORK,
DRINKING, AND BULLFIGHTING IN EUROPE
AdventureThe Sun Also Rises
HERRIOT SHARES FUNNY ANECDOTES AND SAD MEMORIES FROM HIS LIFE AS A
COUNTRY VETERINARIAN.
AnimalsAll Creatures Great and
Small
AFTER A PLANE CRASH, THE SURVIVORS STUMBLE UPON A UTOPIA, SHANGRI-LA,
WHERE LIFE IS ETERNAL AND EVERYTHING IS PERFECT .
Fantasy AdventureLost Horizon
WHILE HEROES ENGAGE IN BATTLE, GODS AND GODDESSES INTERFERE TO HELP AND
HURT. . WHY? BECAUSE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN IN THE WORLD…
HELEN OF TROY… (THE FACE THAT LAUNCHED A THOUSAND SHIPS)
(WRITTEN IN VERSE)
Mythological AdventureThe Iliad
ODYSSEUS, THE ULTIMATE LADIES’ MAN AND ULTIMATE HERO, TRAVELS ON A TEN-
YEAR JOURNEY TO GET BACK HOME. HE ANGERS GODS AND MEETS FANTASTIC
CREATURES ALONG THE WAY(WRITTEN IN VERSE)
Mythological AdventureThe Odyssey
MEDIEVAL PARIS, THE DISFIGURED QUASIMODO, THE
LONELY BELL RINGER, SAVES THE GYPSY DANCER, ESMERALDA FROM EXECUTION
Romance & AdventureHunchback of Notre Dame
VALJEAN, WAS SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR 19 YEARS FOR STEALING BREAD. NOW
OUT, BUT OFF PAROLE, THE EX-CONVICT, F IGHTS AGAINST THE ODDS (AND THE
CRAZED POLICE INSPECTOR WHO WANTS TO RECAPTURE HIM) TO RISE FROM SLAVE
TO MAYOR.
Adventure Les Miserables
NOT ONLY DOES THE NEW GOVERNESS NEED TO DEAL WITH TWO YOUNG
CHILDREN, BUT ALSO WITH THE GHOSTS OF TWO EVIL SERVANTS WHO DISTURB A
REMOTE COUNTRY ESTATE
SuspenseThe Turn of the Screw
NAVAJO INDIANS, LAUGHING BOY AND SLIM GIRL, FALL IN LOVE, MARRY, AND
TRY TO LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER. WHAT LAUGHING BOY DOESN’ T KNOW IS
THE SECRET LIFE SLIM GIRL LIVES.
Adventure & LoveLaughing Boy
SENIOR DEMON SCREWTAPE WRITES LETTERS TO YOUNGER DEMON
WORMWOOD DESCRIBING HOW TO TEMPT AND PROMOTE SIN AMONG MAN.
FROM THE DEMON’S POINT OF VIEW…
SatireThe Screw-tape letters
BABBITT LIVES A LIFE OF CONFORMITY. TAKES AN ALMOST COMICAL LOOK AT THE
DAY-TO -DAY GRIND AND THE UNHAPPINESS BEHIND IT.
Social CommentaryBabbitt
CAROL, A CITY GAL, MARRIES DOCTOR WILL , A COUNTRY BOY, AND MOVES TO GOPHER PRAIRIE. DISCONTENT WITH
SMALL TOWN LIFE, CAROL TRIES TO CHANGE THINGS. IS THE GRASS
GREENER IN THE CITY?
Social CommentaryMain Street
AFTER AN ACCIDENT AT SEA, HUMPHREY VAN WEYDEN IS “RESCUED” BY A CRUEL,
BRUTAL SEA CAPTAIN WOLF LARSEN. WOLF TERRORIZES HIS CREW.
AdventureSea Wolf
KLONDIKE GOLD RUSH… A WILD WOLF DOG BECOMES ADVENTURES IN THE
YUKON TERRITORY
Animal AdventureWhite Fang
A DOMESTICATED DOG LEARNS TO SURVIVE IN THE BRUTAL CONDITIONS OF
THE YUKON TERRITORY DURING THE KLONDIKE GOLD RUSH.
Animal AdventureCall of the Wild
A YOUNG ENGLISHWOMAN IS SWEPT OFF HER FEET BY THE HANDSOME, CHARMING MAX DE WINTER. BUT CAN SHE COMPETE WITH THE MEMORY OF THE HIS PERFECT
LATE WIFE, REBECCA? AND WAS HER DEATH AN ACCIDENT?
Romance & SuspenseRebecca
BILLY JEFFS IS AN ORPHAN SET TO WORK ON THE HMS BELLIPOTENT . NOT
EVERYONE TAKES A LIKING TO THE INNOCENT BILLY, AND A FALSE CHARGE AGAINST HIM BEGINS A TRAGIC SERIES
OF EVENTS FOR BILLY.
AdventureBilly Budd
WHO DOESN’T KNOW THIS STORY OF ONE MAN’S INSATIABLE QUEST TO KILL THE
GREAT WHALE?
AdventureMoby Dick
DEATH OF THE AMERICAN DREAM… WILLY LOMAN IS THE CLASSIC TRAGIC
HERO… A SALESMAN TRYING TO GET AHEAD, BUT FOR WHOM NOTHING CAN
SEEM TO GO RIGHT.
DramaDeath of a Salesman
FOLLOWS THE STORY OF SETHE AND HER DAUGHTER AFTER ESCAPING THEY FROM
SLAVERY. AS THEY STRUGGLE WITH MEMORIES AND DAILY LIFE, THEY ARE
CONFRONTED WITH THEIR VIOLENT MEMORIES.
Historical DramaBeloved
A BRITISH CREWMEMBER TELLS THE STORY OF MUTINY AGAINST THE CRUEL COMMANDER OF THE ROYAL NAVY SHIP,
THE BOUNTY
AdventureMutiny on the Bounty
THE LEAGUE OF SCARLET PIMPERNEL IS A SECRET SOCIETY WHO ATTEMPT TO SAVE FRENCH ARISTOCRATS FROM EXECUTION.
A TALE OF MYSTERY, DANGER, AND SECRET IDENTITIES SET DURING THE
REIGN OF TERROR OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION.
Adventure & Suspense Scarlet Pimpernel
BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING. WRITTEN IN 1949 , THIS WAS A GRIM LOOK AT WHAT THE WORLD WOULD BE LIKE IN
1984 .
Drama/ Social commentary1984
YURI ZHIVAGO IS A RUSSIAN DOCTOR (AND POET) IN LOVE WITH TWO WOMEN DURING THE REVOLUTION OF 1917 AND
THE RUSSIAN CIVIL WAR.
Romance & DramaDoctor Zhivago
STEPHEN KUMALO, AN PRIEST SEARCHES FOR HIS SON AND HIS SISTER. WHAT HE LEARNS ABOUT THEM DURING HIS QUEST
IS DISTURBING.
Adventure & FamilyCry the Beloved Country
FROM THE GLAMOUR OF MANHATTAN TO THE DREARY INSANE ASYLUM, FOLLOW A
WOMAN’S EMOTIONAL BREAKDOWN
Psychological DramaThe Bell Jar
FOLLOWS THE UNLIKELY FRIENDSHIP OF TWO JEWISH BOYS FROM BROOKLYN IN
THE 1940 ’S.
Family DramaThe Chosen
EXPERIENCE JODY BAXTER'S PATH FROM CHILDHOOD TO MATURITY, A HEART
WRENCHING ADVENTURE SET IN THE ANIMAL-FILLED FLORIDA BACKWOODS.
IF CRIED AT BAMBI , THIS ONE’S FOR YOU.
Animal & FamilyThe Yearling
FIRST PERSON NARRATOR DESCRIBES THE HARSH, BRUTAL CONDITIONS OF LIFE ON
THE FRONT DURING WORLD WAR I
WarAll Quiet on the Western
Front
ART, LOVE, AND CRITICS…HOWARD ROARK, COMPETES WITH RIVAL
ARCHITECT, PETER KEATING. THE STRENGTH OF THE INDIVIDUAL IS TESTED AS ROARK STRUGGLES TO MAINTAIN HIS
WORK PHILOSOPHY.
DramaThe Fountainhead
AN IMMIGRANT FAMILY STRUGGLES TO MAKE A LIVELIHOOD FROM FARMING IN LATE 1880 ’S ON THE AMERICAN PLAINS.
Drama Giants in the Earth
17 T H CENTURY FRENCH SWORDSMAN WANTS TO DATE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL
GIRL. BUT WILL HIS UNSIGHTLY, LONG NOSE STAND IN THE WAY?
Romantic ComedyCyrano de Bergerac
IVANHOE, A KNIGHT, RETURNS FROM FIGHTING IN THE CRUSADES TO FIND
ENGLAND IN CHAOS. ENEMIES RULE AND HE MUST FIGHT FOR LOVE AND HONOR.
(SETTING: 1166)
AdventureIvanhoe
SOMEONE KILLED HAMLET’S DAD. THE GHOST TELLS HAMLET THAT IT WAS HIS
UNCLE… WHO IS NOW MARRIED TO HAMLET’S MOTHER. SHOULD HE AVENGE
HIS FATHER’S DEATH? CAN HE TRUST HIS MOM?
Suspense DramaHamlet
THREE WITCHES GIVE A SURPRISING PROPHECY TO MACBETH. AS THE
PREDICTIONS BEGIN TO COME TRUE, SHOULD MACBETH MURDER THE KING TO
HELP FULFILL THEM?
Drama & WarMacbeth
SMUG HENRY HIGGINS ATTEMPTS TO TRANSFORM A SIMPLE FLOWER GIRL INTO
A “LADY” IN THIS PLAY.
Romantic ComedyPygmalion
THIS NOVEL FOLLOWS THE EGOTISTICAL DRIVE OF DR. VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN IN
HIS DESIRE TO CREATE LIFE FROM DEATH. HIS CREATURE IS AN
UNFORTUNATE RESULT.
SuspenseFrankenstein
AMERICAN CLASSIC. WRITTEN DURING THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION, THIS
NOVEL EXPOSED THE UNDERBELLY OF THE MEAT-PACKING INDUSTRY… THE
DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS OF THE SLAVE LABOR.
Social CommentaryThe Jungle
FRANCIE NOLAN IS GROWING UP POOR IN BROOKLYN. SHE STRUGGLES TO BETTER
HER LIFE.
Family DramaA Tree Grows in Brooklyn
IVAN WAS IMPRISONED FOR EIGHT YEARS IN A SOVIET LABOR CAMP. HE
DESCRIBES IN DETAIL , ONE DAY OF THESE DEHUMANIZING CONDITIONS.
A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE, A FAMILY OF MIGRANT WORKERS IS DRIVEN FROM
THEIR FARM AND FACE HUNGER, HUMILIATION, AND SQUALOR AS THEY
TRAVEL TO CALIFORNIA IN HOPE OF FINDING WORK DURING THE 1930 ’S.
Family The Grapes of Wrath
DR. JEKYLL , A KINDLY SCIENTIST, IS TRAGICALLY CHANGED AS A RESULT OF A
SCIENTIFIC EXPERIMENT, AND HE ADOPTS HIS ALTER EVIL EGO BY NIGHT.
SuspenseDr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
AN INNKEEPER AND HER SON FIND A TREASURE MAP. THEY FOLLOW IT TO
FIND TREASURE AND DANGER.SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCE: LONG
JOHN SILVER
AdventureTreasure Island
UNCLE TOM, A SLAVE, SERVES AS A DYNAMIC HERO CONFRONTED BY THE
CRUEL WORLD OF SLAVERY.
Historical DramaUncle Tom’s Cabin
IN THIS FICTIONAL ACCOUNT, NAT TURNER CONFESSES HIS ROLE IN A SLAVE REVOLT IN VIRGINIA IN 1831 .
DramaConfessions of Nat Turner
GULLIVER IS LOST AT SEA AND HAPPENS UPON STRANGE LANDS OF TINY PEOPLE,
GIANTS, AND TALKING HORSES. ALTHOUGH SOME HAVE CAPITALIZED ON
THIS AS A CHILDREN’S STORY, SWIFT MEANT IT AS A SOCIAL COMMENTARY.
AdventureGulliver’s Travels
THE SUBTITLE OF VANITY FAIR IS “A NOVEL WITHOUT A HERO” REFERRING TO
THE STORY’S ANTI-HEROES, SUCH AS SMART AND MANIPULATIVE BECKY
SHARP’S SCHEMING PLANS TO ADVANCE THROUGH LIFE.
Drama & Social CommentaryVanity Fair
THOREAU LIVED AT WALDEN POND FOR OVER TWO YEARS IN ATTEMPT TO LIVE
SIMPLY AND BECOME MORE SELF-RELIANT.
Philosophical AdventureWalden
A YOUNG WOMAN IS DESTROYED WHEN SHE ATTEMPTS TO LIVE OUTSIDE THE
MORAL LAW OF HER SOCIETY.
DramaAnna Karenina
THREE CHARACTERS WITH DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS DEPICT THEIR
STRUGGLES DURING THE EVENTS IN RUSSIA DURING NAPOLEONIC WAR IN THE
EARLY 1800 ’S.
DramaWar and Peace
SUFFERING FROM A HEAD INJURY, HANK MORGAN IS MAGICALLY TRANSPORTED
BACK TO KING ARTHUR'S CAMELOT
AdventureConnecticut Yankee in King
Arthur’s Court
WILSON IS A MISUNDERSTOOD AND UNDERESTIMATED LAWYER WHO
ULTIMATELY MANAGES TO CLEAR UP SEVERAL MISTAKEN IDENTITIES.
DramaPudd’nhead Wilson
PROFESSOR HARDWIG AND HIS TEAM INVESTIGATE A VOLCANIC CRATER IN
ICELAND. IT LEADS TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH AND THE INCREDIBLE AND
HORRIFYING DISCOVERIES FOUND THERE.
AdventureJourney to the Center of the Earth
FRENCH PROFESSOR AND HIS COMPANIONS ARE PRISONERS ON A
SUBMARINE PILOTED BY CRAZY CAPTAIN NEMO. THEY TRAVEL ABOVE AND BELOW
THE SEA ON A DERANGED ADVENTURE.
Adventure20, 000 Leagues Under the
Sea
BILLY PILGRIM SURVIVES A FIRE -BOMBING DURING WWII . SCENES FROM
WWII AND BILLY’S TIME TRAVELS TO THE PLANET TRALFAMADORE INTERTWINE AS BILLY JUMPS FROM PAST TO PRESENT TO
FUTURE.
War AdventureSlaughter-House Five
THE LIVES OF TWO SISTERS ARE REVEALED IN LETTERS EXCHANGED OVER THIRTY YEARS. SET IN RURAL GEORGIA, THEIR CORRESPONDENCE REVEALS THE LOW SOCIAL POSITION THAT SOUTHERN
BLACK WOMEN HELD IN THE 30 ’S.
DramaThe Color Purple
JACK BURDEN, A YOUNG JOURNALIST, BECOMES INVOLVED IN WILLIE STARK’S
QUEST FOR POLITICAL POWER AS A GOVERNOR OF A SOUTHERN STATE.
Political DramaAll the King’s Men
A SCIENCE FICTION ADVENTURE ABOUT A SCIENTIST WHO INVENTS A TIME TRAVEL
MACHINE
Adventure… Sci-fi StyleThe Time Machine
LAR GE , TEN TACLED MARTI AN S I N VADE EN GLAN D I N THI S SCI EN CE F I CTI ON
ADVEN TU R ECU LTU R AL NOTE: P R OBABLY BEST-KN OWN FOR THE R ADI O P R OGR AM OR SON WELLES PER FOR M ED I N 1939 . MAN Y AMER I CAN S
BELI EVED THI S WAS TR U LY HAPP EN I N G
Adventure… Sci-fi StyleThe War of the Worlds
NEWLAND ARCHER IS ENGAGED TO BE MARRIED AND MADLY IN LOVED… BUT
NOT WITH HIS FIANCÉE. HE STICKS TO THE SOCIAL CODE AND THUS, CANNOT BE
WITH THE WOMAN HE WANTS.
RomanceAge of Innocence
A NEW ENGLAND FARMER FALLS FOR HIS WIFE’S COUSIN. IS IT EVER A HAPPY
ENDING?
DramaEthan Frome
IN ANOTHER TAKE ON THE KING ARTHUR TALE,
FOLLOW WART, WHO WILL EVENTUALLY BECOME KING ARTHUR, AS HE GROWS UP
TO BE THE NEXT RIGHTFUL KING OF ENGLAND.
AdventureThe Once and Future King
DEFIES DESCRIPTION
The Picture of Dorian Gray
SEVERAL PEOPLE DIE IN THE COLLAPSE OF SUSPENSION BRIDGE IN PERU IN 1714 .
A WITNESS, A FRANCISCAN MONK, INVESTIGATES THE LIVES OF THE
VICTIMS AND EXAMINES WHY GOD WOULD ALLOW SUCH A TRAGEDY.
DramaBridge of San Luis Rey
WILKERSON SPENT HIS FIRST FIVE YEARS IN NEW YORK MINISTERING TO GANG
YOUTH. HE ENCOURAGED THEM TO TURN AWAY FROM THIS WAY OF LIFE.
DramaCross and the Switchblade
WITHOUT TELLING THE WHOLE TRUTH, BLANCHE DUBOIS MOVES IN WITH HER SISTER STELLA AND BROTHER-IN-LAW
STANLEY AFTER SHE LOSES THE FAMILY HOME.
BLANCHE AND STANLEY CLEARLY DO NOT LIKE EACH OTHER AND A TWISTED
FAMILY DRAMA ENSUES.
DramaA Street Car Named Desire
REVOLVES AROUND THE JOHNSON COUNTY WAR (1890 , WYOMING) , A BATTLE
BETWEEN WEALTHY LANDOWNERS AND SMALLER LANDOWNERS OVER CATTLE
THIEVERY.
DramaThe Virginian
A RATHER MISFIT NAVAL CREW SLACKS OFF ON THE CAINE , UNTIL A NEW
COMMANDER ARRIVES… HOWEVER, THE CREW SOON DISCOVERS HIM TO
MENTALLY UNSTABLE AND THEY MUTINY.
AdventureThe Caine Mutiny
REACTING TO THE HARSH, PREJUDICED WORLD IN WHICH HE LIVES, BIGGER
THOMAS RESORTS TO ACTS OF VIOLENCE AND MURDER TO FEEL FREE.
DramaNative Son
AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL, THIS NOVEL DESCRIBES WRIGHT'S LIFE FROM AGE 4
TO AGE 19 . AS WRIGHT IS SUBJECTED TO HARSH PUNISHMENTS AND LACK OF
SYMPATHY, SHOWING THE EXPERIENCE OF AFRICAN AMERICANS LIVING IN THE
SOUTH DURING THE EARLY 20 T H CENTURY.
DramaBlack Boy
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