The United States has earned international renown for its literary canon. It has given the world the works of many famous poets, novelists, short story writers, and playwrights. Numerous American authors have been bestowed the Nobel Prize for Literature and have bestowed upon the world works of literature that are enduringly beloved. One of the most notable aspects of American literature is the way it immerses readers in different cultures all around the world through its fictional settings. Many American books take a more in-depth look at societal problems. The most illustrious American authors will be the focus of this blog as we explore their writings.
Let’s begin!
American novelist and short story writer Nathaniel Hawthorne drew inspiration for his fiction settings from medieval New England. Given how vividly he depicts ancestral Sin, Guilt, and Evil in his stories, critics frequently label his works as examples of gloomy romanticism. Hawthorne wrote gripping short stories to illustrate his ideas, which were centered around historical, moral, and religious topics in his books. He is ranked highly among the greatest writers in the United States. In just ten days, 2,500 copies of his best-selling book, "The Scarlet Letter," which was released in 1850, were sold.
Edgar Allan Poe was a brilliant author, poet, literary critic, and editor. He is still well known for writing engrossing novels, poetry, and short stories that are full of suspense and mystery. He is credited with creating the genre of fan fiction and is known as the creator of contemporary narrative. His stories are primarily romantic in nature, although he also helped to establish the horror and science fiction subgenres. Edgar Allan Poe's stories eloquently illustrate ideas like regret, death, and lost love. Among his literary achievements was the publication of his best-selling book, "The Raven," in 1845, which sold an astounding 1500 copies.
On the list of the best American writers, Herman Melville comes in third. He is recognized as an American poet, novelist, and short story writer. His books are extremely dense and complicated, full of stories, visual arts, mystical imagery, philosophy, and scriptures. "Moby Dick," one of his best-known novels, is considered the pinnacle of the great American novel. Melville wrote human life-centered novels, often highlighting the finding of common channels of communication. When "Moby Dick," his masterwork, was published in 1851, it sold about 4,000 copies.
One of the most prominent individuals is Mark Twain, an esteemed American author, comedian, businessman, publisher, and speaker. The man that William Faulkner called the "father of American literature" was his. The powerful impact of Twain's works allowed them to forge a strong bond with readers. His comedic take on weighty topics is what makes his books stand out. Laughter, travel, adventure, and informal cultural discovery were common themes in Twain's writings, which mostly explored human nature and social issues. "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" is one of his books that has been incredibly successful, selling over 12.5 million copies.
Henry served as a transitional figure bridging the gap between literary realism and modernism. He stands out as one of the greatest novelists in the English language. His novels primarily tackled the social and marital interactions among migrant Americans, British, and Europeans. He focused on depicting the social dynamics and psychology of the characters in his works. In 1878, he published the novel “Daisy Miller,” which garnered an impressive 20,000 copies in sales within a few weeks and underwent five reprints.
The Nobel Prize in Literature was bestowed upon Ernest Hemingway, a multi-genre writer and journalist. For English prose written in the twentieth century, he set the standard. His works prompted deep contemplation. The stories of the generation who perished in World War 1 served as inspiration for his writings. In his writings, he delved into topics like heroic fatalism, post-war disillusionment, and ideal masculinity. Published in 1952, his famous book "The Old Man and the Sea" went on to sell almost 5.3 million copies.
In conclusion, throughout history, American authors have left indelible marks on literature. Along with their unique voices, these authors have enriched literature from a variety of periods. Both the present and future generations of writers have found immense inspiration in them. The best American authors were a pleasure to study, and we hope you all enjoyed it.
