Them by Joyce Carol Oates
"Them" is a novel that chronicles the lives of the Wendall family, a lower-class family living in Detroit, over the course of three decades. The story, told from the perspective of three main characters, explores their struggles with poverty, violence, and a constant desire for a better life. It also delves into the societal issues of the time, including racial tensions and the disillusionment of the American Dream. The narrative is a gritty, realistic depiction of the hardships faced by many families in urban America during the mid-20th century.
The 740th greatest book of all time
- Published
- 1969
- Nationality
- American
- Length
- Moderate
- Pages
- 450-550
- Words
- 169,000
- Original Language
- English
- Alternate Titles
- None
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This book is on the following 7 lists:
- 1st on What are the Goncourt Winners’ Favorite Books? (Télérama)
- 114th on Books Of The Century (Library Journal)
- 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die (The Book)
- National Book Award - Fiction (National Book Foundation)
- A Response to David Handlin’s “One Hundred Best American Novels” (The American Scholar)
- Harold Bloom's The Western Canon (The Western Canon (Book) by Harold Bloom)
- The 100 Greatest American Novels, 1893 – 1993 (Jeff O'Neal at Bookriot.com)