Helen DeWitt

Helen DeWitt is an American author best known for her debut novel, 'The Last Samurai', which was published in 2000. She is recognized for her innovative narrative techniques and exploration of themes such as intelligence, language, and education. DeWitt has also written other works, including 'Lightning Rods' and has contributed to various literary publications.

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.

  1. 1. The Last Samurai

    "The Last Samurai" is a unique, intellectual novel that follows the life of a young boy named Ludo, who is raised by his single mother, Sibylla. Sibylla, a freelance transcriber, educates Ludo in various subjects from Greek to mathematics, using the film "The Seven Samurai" as a moral compass. As Ludo grows older, he embarks on a quest to find his father, using clues from his mother's past. His journey leads him to several men who could potentially be his father, each encounter teaching him more about the world and himself.

  2. 2. Lightning Rods

    This novel presents a satirical exploration of American capitalism and sexual politics through the story of a struggling salesman who invents an outrageous solution to sexual harassment in the workplace. His idea, which involves anonymous sexual encounters through a specially designed contraption to relieve male employees' urges without involving personal interactions, becomes a surprising success. As the protagonist navigates the complexities of patenting and marketing his invention, the narrative delves into themes of morality, exploitation, and the absurdity of corporate culture, all while maintaining a sharp, comedic edge. The book challenges readers to consider the lengths to which society will go to address symptoms rather than underlying issues, wrapped in a story that is both outlandish and thought-provoking.