What are the 20 best American novels?

Some of the well - known ones might be 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It's a classic that delves into the decadence of the Jazz Age. Another could be 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee, which is a powerful exploration of racial injustice in the American South. And 'Moby - Dick' by Herman Melville, a complex and profound tale of obsession on the high seas.

The 5 best American novels? I'd say 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' by Mark Twain is definitely on the list. It's a great adventure story but also has deep insights into race relations in America at that time. 'One Hundred Years of Solitude' by Gabriel García Márquez, though it's by a Colombian author, has had a huge influence on American literature with its magical realism. And of course, 'The Sound and the Fury' by William Faulkner, which uses a complex narrative structure to tell the story of a Southern family's decline.

Some of the often - mentioned ones are 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It beautifully depicts the Jazz Age and the disillusionment of the American Dream. Another is 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee, which tackles themes of racism and moral growth in the South. 'Moby - Dick' by Herman Melville is also a classic, with its in - depth exploration of obsession and the human struggle against nature.

Some of the well - known African American novels include 'Invisible Man' by Ralph Ellison. It's a powerful exploration of race and identity in America. Another is 'Beloved' by Toni Morrison, which delves into the haunting legacy of slavery. 'Their Eyes Were Watching God' by Zora Neale Hurston is also among the greats, telling a story of a woman's search for self - discovery and love in the context of the African American experience.

Well, 'The Scarlet Letter' is a top - notch early American novel. Hawthorne's writing is rich and detailed, making the characters and their moral dilemmas come alive. 'Moby - Dick' is another great one. Melville's description of the sea, the whale, and the characters on the Pequod is vivid. It makes you think about man's relationship with nature and the unknown. And don't forget 'The House of the Seven Gables' also by Hawthorne. It has elements of mystery, family secrets, and historical context, which all contribute to its status as one of the best early American novels.

Another great one is 'Pachinko' by Min Jin Lee. This novel spans generations and shows the struggles and triumphs of a Korean family in Japan, which has some connection to the Korean American experience in terms of diaspora and cultural identity. It's a beautifully written epic that gives deep insights into family, love, and the search for a place in the world.

Some of the well - regarded modern American novels include 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee. It's a classic that deals with themes of racism and justice in the American South. Another is 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald, which explores the decadence and disillusionment of the Jazz Age. 'Invisible Man' by Ralph Ellison is also significant as it delves into the African - American experience and identity in a society that often renders them invisible.

Well, 'Moby - Dick' by Herman Melville is among the American best novels. It's a complex and profound exploration of obsession, with Captain Ahab's single - minded pursuit of the white whale. Also, 'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger, which has been very influential in depicting the alienation of youth.

One of the top 20 is 'One Hundred Years of Solitude' by Gabriel García Márquez (although he is Colombian, it has had a great influence on American literature too). It's a magical realist masterpiece. 'Ulysses' by James Joyce also has a place in the list. It's a very complex and experimental novel. 'Invisible Man' by Ralph Ellison is another important one, exploring the African - American experience and identity.

One of the top 10 best American novels is 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' by Mark Twain. It follows the journey of Huck and Jim down the Mississippi River and addresses issues like race and freedom. 'Invisible Man' by Ralph Ellison is another important work, exploring the African - American experience and identity in a white - dominated society. 'The Sound and the Fury' by William Faulkner is renowned for its complex narrative structure and exploration of the decline of a Southern family.