Pulitzer Prize Winners for Novel/Fiction on Lists of Bests

Lyndsey

Gone With the Wind — 5 years ago

by Margaret Mitchell won in 1937.

I would add it myself, but don’t want to screw up the list any further.

Dec 01, 11:48PM | 0 comments | Reply to this

paulinseattle

stop deleteing books!!! — 5 years ago

readded 1918’s his family again

Aug 29, 10:29AM | 0 comments | Reply to this

concinnity

Best Pulitzers for a Lazy Reader: a short list — 6 years ago

People often ask me which of these are worthwhile. I’ve only read a little over half of the winners, but maybe that’s enough to make a short list for “lazy readers” (nothing wrong with not having enough time to read every book in the world). Here are the ten Pulitzer-winners I find myself recommending most to friends and family:

1.To Kill a Mockingbird

2.The Color Purple

3.Beloved

4. Middlesex

5. The Old Man and the Sea

6. Lonesome Dove

7. The Hours

8. The Mambo King Play Songs of Love

9. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay

10. The Shipping News

(11. The Stone Diaries 12. A Thousand Acres)

Now, it occurs to me that most of these books have been made into movies. The reason for this is that they’re pretty good stories. In almost every case, the movies are TERRIBLE. Some only take the names of the characters and then follow their own plots. Even the few movies that are good aren’t as good as the books. Seeing the movie isn’t the same as reading the book, folks. Ever. What makes a book great is as much the way thing are said as what is said. And, yes, seeing the movie before reading the book will ruin the book for you. So be careful; you don’t want to cheat yourself of the ability to really enjoy some of the United State’s best literature.

Also, these selections are balanced for enjoyment/readability and artistic achievement/importance. I don’t recommended some books because they aren’t enough of one or the other. I haven’t recommended The Known World to anyone yet, for example. It’s a stunning achievement and very important, in my opinion, but it’s a little dense and very depressing. Most people I know would probably put it down before finishing it. Breathing Lessons is delightful, but maybe a little on the light side, so it didn’t make the list. Beloved might be too difficult for your typical beach reader, but I put it on the list because it’s important enough to deserve a concerted effort. Likewise, some might say The Shipping News lacks importance, but it’s SO enjoyable. Nearly everyone who reads it loves it, and I think the artistic achievement is there.

It you don’t see one of your favorite Pulitzer winners on the list, it may be because I haven’t read it.

I hope that’s helpful, especially to fellow readers in other countries. Maybe someday I’ll make a general purpose “top ten American novels.” Nah, —-too hard! Happy reading, everyone.

Apr 29, 11:27AM | 2 comments | Reply to this

msankarz

book reader? — 6 years ago

hope that sounds good actually i love reading books ill purchase a lot of books and even i allot time for each book and follow but not to the last half way…when i come across again i don’t feel interested to read it again…

Apr 27, 11:56PM | 0 comments | Reply to this

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