Jennifer Egan's Book Choices from "The Writer's Library"

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  • Watership Down by Richard Adams

    This novel follows a group of rabbits as they flee their warren due to a foreseen catastrophe. The rabbits, led by Hazel and his psychic brother Fiver, face numerous challenges and adventures as they search for a new home. They encounter predators, hostile rabbit communities, and human threats. The book explores themes of leadership, survival, and freedom, all set within the natural world and its inherent dangers.

    The 224th Greatest Book of All Time
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  • Emperor Of The Air by Ethan Canin

    Emperor of the Air assembles stories about people confronting family strain and personal crises. Whether they are trying to save trees in their yards, repair failing marriages, or find themselves, the characters reach moments of revelation. The collection renders those moments with rich observation, energy, humor, and grace. Canin's prose combines energy and rich observation with compassion toward his characters' struggles.

    The 14011th Greatest Book of All Time
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  • The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

    A captivating tale of mystery and suspense, "The Woman in White" follows the story of a young art teacher, Walter Hartright, who encounters a mysterious woman dressed in white on a moonlit road. The woman is revealed to be a mental asylum escapee, and as Hartright delves into her story, he uncovers a web of deceit, madness, and dangerous secrets involving a wealthy, titled family. The narrative explores themes of identity, insanity, and the abuse of power, with a complex plot filled with twists and turns.

    The 139th Greatest Book of All Time
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  • White Noise by Don DeLillo

    The novel is a postmodern exploration of death and consumerism in the United States. It follows a year in the life of Jack Gladney, a professor who has made his name by pioneering the field of Hitler Studies at a small liberal arts college in Middle America. Jack and his fourth wife, Babette, are afraid of death and are obsessed with finding a cure for their fear. Their lives are disrupted by an airborne toxic event, which forces them to confront their mortality and the toxic effects of modern life.

    The 364th Greatest Book of All Time
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  • Underworld by Don DeLillo

    "Underworld" is a sweeping narrative that spans from the 1950s to the end of the 20th century, exploring the interconnectedness of events and the impact of the Cold War on American society. The story revolves around a diverse group of characters, including a waste management executive, a graffiti artist, a nun, and a baseball collector, among others. These characters' lives intertwine in unexpected ways, illustrating the complex web of relationships and influences that shape our world. The novel is renowned for its vivid portrayal of historical events and its profound examination of themes such as memory, technology, and waste.

    The 411th Greatest Book of All Time
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  • Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

    A young woman marries a wealthy widower and moves into his large English country house. She quickly realizes that the memory of her husband's first wife, Rebecca, haunts every corner of the estate. The housekeeper's obsessive devotion to Rebecca and the mysterious circumstances of her death continue to overshadow the second wife's attempts to make a happy life with her husband. As secrets about Rebecca's life and death are revealed, the new wife must grapple with her own identity and place within the household.

    The 59th Greatest Book of All Time
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  • Washington Square by Henry James

    Set in 19th-century New York, the story follows Catherine Sloper, a shy and plain young woman who lives under the shadow of her domineering father, Dr. Austin Sloper. When Catherine falls in love with the charming but penniless Morris Townsend, her father disapproves, suspecting Morris of being a fortune hunter. Despite her father's opposition, Catherine remains steadfast in her affection, leading to a poignant exploration of familial duty, love, and personal growth. The novel delves into themes of manipulation, loyalty, and the struggle for independence within the confines of societal expectations.

    The 1798th Greatest Book of All Time
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  • The Golden Bowl by Henry James

    The Golden Bowl is a complex narrative that revolves around an American woman and her daughter who marry a father and son. The daughter's husband previously had a romantic relationship with the mother's husband, leading to a tense and intricate web of relationships. The novel explores themes of marriage, adultery, and familial bonds, and is renowned for its detailed characterization and intricate plot structure.

    The 376th Greatest Book of All Time
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  • B Utterfield 8 by John O'Hara

    Set amid the hard-edged social scene of 1930s New York, the novel follows Gloria Wandrous, a glamorous but self-destructive young woman who drifts between brief affairs with wealthy, married men and the people who try to contain or exploit her. Through its candid, unsparing depiction of sex, class, and loneliness, the story examines how personal desire, social ambition, and moral hypocrisy collide, tracing the costs of a life lived on the margins of respectability.

    The 10178th Greatest Book of All Time
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  • So You Wanna Be A Rock & Roll Star by Jacob Slichter

    How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Rock 'n' Roll Life

    A candid, wry memoir by a drummer that chronicles his band’s journey from Midwestern beginnings to unexpected mainstream success in the 1990s, detailing the grind of touring, studio life, and label politics while probing the economics and compromises of the music business. Interweaving intimate portraits of bandmates, the creative and interpersonal tensions of making songs, and reflections on the hollow and reshaping effects of fame, the narrative demystifies rock stardom and lays bare the costs, contradictions, and small satisfactions of pursuing a career in popular music.

    The 14457th Greatest Book of All Time
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  • Domestic Manners of the Americans by Fanny Trollope

    or, Observations on the Character, Customs, and Manners of the United States

    "Domestic Manners of the Americans" is a detailed and often critical observation of 19th-century American society. The author, an Englishwoman, provides a unique outsider's perspective on aspects such as religion, politics, public habits, and lifestyle during her time spent in the United States. The book offers a rich portrait of the country's customs and manners, highlighting both the positive and negative aspects, and has been both praised for its honesty and criticized for its harshness.

    The 8653rd Greatest Book of All Time
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  • The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton

    Set in the backdrop of New York's high society during the turn of the 20th century, the novel follows the life of Lily Bart, a beautiful but impoverished woman of social standing. As she navigates the pressures and expectations of her social circle, Lily grapples with the need to secure a wealthy husband to maintain her lifestyle. However, her romantic inclinations and her desire for personal freedom come into conflict with societal norms, leading to her tragic downfall.

    The 217th Greatest Book of All Time
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  • Night Shift by Maritta Wolff

    Set in the Midwest during World War II, Night Shift follows Sally Otis, a waitress who supports three children and a jobless younger sister while her bills mount. Her resolve begins to crumble when her swaggering older sister Petey Braun appears with furs, jewels, and tales of exotic trips. Petey, a woman who makes a career of men, takes a job at a glamorous, rowdy local nightclub, an event that will forever change the struggling Otis family.

    The 13359th Greatest Book of All Time
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About this list

The Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives (Book), 13 Books

These are Jennifer Egan's book choices from the interview with him in the book "The Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives" by Nancy Pearl and Jeff Schwager

This list was originally published in 2020 and was added to this site 14 days ago.

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  • List: only covers mostly "Western Canon" books

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Number of Voters:
1
Voter Count Unknown:
No
Voter Names Unknown:
No
High Quality Source:
No
Location Specific:
No
Category Specific:
No