9 Searing Works of Literature About Modern America

Americans face a number of problems in the modern world, from poverty to discrimination to religious extremism. The excellent works listed here tackle these issues head-on, giving readers a window into the lives of people who are struggling to get by in the U.S. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.

Literary Fiction Set in The United States: Our 9 Picks

Title Author
1. The Fugitives Christopher Sorrentino
2. The Futures Anna Pitoniak
3. 31 Hours Masha Hamilton
4. Leaving the Beach Mary Rowen
5. Waiting to Surface Emily Listfield
6. Patchwork of Me Gregory G. Allen
7. Why We Came to the City Kristopher Jansma
8. The Incendiaries R.O. Kwon
9. Lost Canyon Nina Revoyr

5 Ways to Get the News

Articles your friends share on social media aren't always reliable, so it's important to go to trusted sources that will actually give you the facts. Here are a few that can help you stay informed:

  1. NPR: Radio programs, podcasts, and online articles
  2. The New York Times: Print & online journalism
  3. BBC: Good source for international news
  4. The Wall Street Journal: Breaking news and economic coverage
  5. Associated Press: Investigative reporting and trusted facts

Issues That Affect the Modern World

The New American Dream

In Depth

Some of history's greatest writers used their work to examine life in United States, and many authors today continue this tradition. While several problems of the past have been solved, there are still plenty of issues that are worth examining. For a closer look at the struggles that face modern Americans, check out these nine searing works of literature, presented here in no particular order.

For #1 we have "The Fugitives" by Christopher Sorrentino. Novelist Sandy Mulligan leaves his family for a new love, only for the affair to fizzle. He abandons Brooklyn for a tiny Michigan town to complete his new book in private and rebuild himself. Soon he becomes fascinated with John Salteau, a Native American storyteller. As he delves deeper into John's tales, reporter Kat Danhoff arrives in town to solve a casino robbery she believes John was involved in. All three have secrets, but they can't move forward without first unraveling the lies they built to protect themselves.

At #2 is "The Futures" by Anna Pitoniak. Evan and Julia fall in love while studying at Yale. When they graduate in 2008, they have bright visions for their future lives. In search of success, they move to New York City. Evan takes a job at a hedge fund while Julia, who is used to comfort and privilege, accepts work as a low-paying assistant for a non-profit. Achieving their dreams proves more difficult than they thought. Once the Great Recession hits, the stress causes the two to grow apart and leaves them wondering if love can be saved despite their mounting problems.

When they graduate in 2008, they have bright visions for their future lives.

Coming in at #3 is "31 Hours" by Masha Hamilton. This tense thriller follows a New York woman named Carol Meitzner, who is desperate to find her son, Jonas. Though she hasn't heard from him in weeks, her intuition tells her something is horribly wrong. Meanwhile, Jonas is hidden in an unassuming apartment, contemplating his recent trip to Pakistan and his conversion to Islam, and preparing to commit the suicide attack his mentor has been training him for. This story of how a young man is drawn to extremism is poignant and thought-provoking.

Our #4 pick is "Leaving the Beach" by Mary Rowen. Erin Reardon's younger years were marred by lies and tragedy at home. Things weren't much better at school, where her struggle with bulimia set her apart and prevented her from fitting in with her peers. To escape, she became obsessed with pop culture, isolating herself in the process. Now, as an adult, she still views grunge rocker Lenny Weir as an idol, and believes that the supposedly-deceased star faked his own death to escape the public eye. Erin dedicates her time to finding and saving her hero, rather than facing the problems that still plague her.

For #5 we have "Waiting to Surface" by Emily Listfield. Sarah Larkin's life is thrown into chaos when the police call to explain that her husband, a famous sculptor, is missing. He went for a midnight swim off Florida's coast and hasn't been seen since, leaving behind his keys, wallet, return ticket, and pieces of his artwork. It's known he was staying with a woman, but other details are scarce. Sarah's not sure if he vanished to free himself from his responsibilities, or if he died in an accident. As time passes, she comes to accept the difficult truths of her less-than-perfect marriage as she moves on herself.

Sarah Larkin's life is thrown into chaos when the police call to explain that her husband, a famous sculptor, is missing.

At #6 is "Patchwork of Me" by Gregory G. Allen. As an adult, Sara Butler is deep in denial over her troubled childhood in the foster care system. Though she appears to be leading a normal existence on the surface, she suffers from bizarre dreams and a mysterious rash. As she looks for a treatment, a psychiatrist gives Sarah the answer she already knew but was trying to hide from: she's haunted by something in her past. Though her memory is hazy, she sets out to discover what happened to her during her younger years and where she really comes from.

For #7 we have "Why We Came to the City" by Kristopher Jansma. It's December 2008 in New York City, and four college friends reunite to celebrate and catch up after graduating five years prior. Though their lives haven't gone exactly as planned, they are ambitious and eager for what the new year will bring them. Their feelings of being on top of the world are challenged when Irene, the artist of the group, is diagnosed with cancer. Suddenly, everyone's priorities and perceptions change as they try to support their friend while accepting the reality of their own mortality.

Our #8 entry is "The Incendiaries" by R.O. Kwon. University students Phoebe and Will fall in love while struggling to discover who they are as individuals. Will, who transferred from a Bible college, no longer believes in God or the faith he was raised in. Phoebe has given up her passion for playing piano, despite her mother's insistence that using her talent is an obligation. As she seeks out a new purpose to her life, she joins a strange religious group, alarming Will. After the sect carries out a series of fatal bombings on campus, Phoebe vanishes. Will makes it his mission to track her down and learn if she had a hand in the bombings herself.

Phoebe has given up her passion for playing piano, despite her mother's insistence that using her talent is an obligation.

Finally, at #9, we have "Lost Canyon" by Nina Revoyr. A fitness instructor takes three of her clients on a four-day hike in the Sierra Nevada. Though they all call Los Angeles home, each member of the group is from a different racial background, which influences how they see each other and themselves. When the trail they were going to hike is closed, they instead venture a rarely-traveled path. It's a decision that uncovers an underbelly of crime, including drug cartels and white supremacists desperate to keep their operations hidden.