Alison Lurie
Alison Lurie was an American novelist and academic. She won the Pulitzer Prize for her novel 'Foreign Affairs' in 1985. Lurie was also known for her works on children's literature and her tenure as a professor at Cornell University.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. Foreign Affairs
This novel presents the intertwined stories of two American academics in London. Virginia Miner, a fifty-something, unmarried tenured professor, is in London for a six-month sabbatical to research children's folk rhymes. Despite her work, she increasingly finds herself drawn into a spiraling relationship with a young man from Oklahoma. In contrast, Fred Turner, a young assistant professor in the English department, leaves his wife and children behind in the States to conduct research on John Gay. He finds himself taken up by the very English and very upscale family of a fellow researcher. Their parallel experiences reflect their shared foreignness and alienation in the UK.
The 3105th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
2. The Nowhere City
Set against the backdrop of 1960s Los Angeles, this novel explores the cultural clash and personal dislocation experienced by a young couple, Paul and Katherine Cattleman, who move from the East Coast to California. As Paul becomes increasingly absorbed in his work and the allure of the city's vibrant yet superficial lifestyle, Katherine struggles with feelings of isolation and alienation. The story delves into themes of identity, belonging, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world, capturing the essence of a city that is both enchanting and elusive.
The 13361st Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org -
3. The War Between The Tates
"The War Between the Tates" is a satirical novel that explores the tumultuous life of an academic couple amidst personal and societal upheavals of the 1960s. Set on a university campus in upstate New York, the story delves into the unraveling marriage of Erica and Brian Tate as they navigate infidelity, political activism, and generational conflicts. The narrative captures the clash between traditional values and the emerging counterculture, reflecting broader social transformations through the lens of domestic strife and personal identity crises.
The 17152nd Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Amazon
