Reading suggestion?

[kelly_kelly]

There seem to be a lot of well-read group of people here, so I was wondering if someone could suggest a realistic fiction book or anthology of short stories where cultural influences are very prominent. Preferably, I'd like it not to be Chinese, Indian, or Mexican (not because I have anything against these cultures, but because most of the class is doing one of these). Also, I'd rather not do Persepolis (though it seems really interesting) because, again, it's very popular. The eventual assignment will be to write an essay addressing the enneagramatic personality type of the main character (don't ask... my LA teacher is strange).

This is a strange request... Thanks in advance to anyone who answers.

[morningstar]

To Kill a Mockingbird?

[kelly_kelly]

We read it in 8th grade. Amazing book, though. We also read Things Fall Apart in freshman year, (just so nobody suggests that).

[quantum]

Check out Margaret Laurence.  You may wish to read something in the Manawaka series.  She was Canadian.

The Stone Angel
A Jest of God
The Fire-Dwellers
The Diviners


It's a challenging read though.  Her writing style is complex.  The Diviners is the longest and most complex.  If you want a lot of meat to write an essay about, these books will do you well.  I did a project long while ago on several of these books. 

[general disarray]

Pearl S. Buck, nobel Prize winning novelist, wrote a series of novels depicting life before, during and after the Revolution in China. 

The most famous of the series is "The Good Earth" and its part of a trilogy. 

[healdie]

Alot of Charles Dickenes works cotain some sort of social commetary and although there are fictional they are realistic with a focus on inter charactal relationships

[communist]

Would 1984 by George Orwell work? it is the Pictures at an Exhibition of literature

[kelly_kelly]

Orwell and Dickens might not be exotic enough. I think it's somewhat implied in our world lit class that English literature doesn't really count (though it doesn't really make sense...). The Margaret Lawrence books look really interesting, but very difficult. Since I know I'm going to be busy this month, I might save them for our next independent reading assignment. From the excerpt online, The Good Earth seems perfect. Thanks for all the suggestions!

[minor9th]

There seem to be a lot of well-read group of people here, so I was wondering if someone could suggest a realistic fiction book or anthology of short stories where cultural influences are very prominent. Preferably, I'd like it not to be Chinese, Indian, or Mexican (not because I have anything against these cultures, but because most of the class is doing one of these). Also, I'd rather not do Persepolis (though it seems really interesting) because, again, it's very popular. The eventual assignment will be to write an essay addressing the enneagramatic personality type of the main character (don't ask... my LA teacher is strange).

This is a strange request... Thanks in advance to anyone who answers.

What grade level is your class?

[kelly_kelly]

It's an 11-12th grade honors class.

[general disarray]

John Dos Passos wrote a trilogy entitled "USA Trilogy," three novels (obviously) using experimental techniques to describe American culture in the early 20th century.

Highly recommended.  Dos Passos is a neglected genius.

Also, Ford Madox Ford's quartet of novels about the end of civilization, as England knew it, following World War I.  His masterpiece entitled "Parade's End."

And last but not least, Lawrence Durrell and his "Alexandria Quartet" -- four novels detailing life just before WWII in Alexandria, Egypt.