What are some well - known satirical American novels?

Some satirical novels worth mentioning are 'Candide' by Voltaire. It mocks the idea of Leibnizian optimism. 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' by Oscar Wilde has elements of satire, especially towards the upper - class society's vanity and immorality. 'Invisible Man' by Ralph Ellison, while mainly about race, also has satirical elements regarding society's view of the individual.

A great example of a satirical novel is 'Catch - 22' by Joseph Heller. It satirizes the military bureaucracy during World War II. The 'catch - 22' situation in the book shows the absurdity of the military rules where a pilot can be declared insane for wanting to stop flying dangerous missions, but if he requests to be grounded, that is taken as proof of his sanity.

'The Tin Drum' by Günter Grass can also be considered in this category. It satirizes the German society during and after the war. The protagonist, Oskar, with his refusal to grow up, is a symbol of the resistance against the madness of war and the post - war moral decay.

Some classic satirical novels are 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' by Lewis Carroll. It uses a lot of absurd situations and characters to satirize the rigid rules and strange logic in Victorian society. 'Don Quixote' by Miguel de Cervantes is another important one. It satirizes the chivalric romances of the time, following the deluded Don Quixote on his quests. Also, 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' by Oscar Wilde can be seen as a satirical take on the hedonistic and immoral values of the upper - class society of the time.

Well, 'Gulliver's Travels' is a very famous one in the list. Swift creates different lands where Gulliver travels to, and in each place, he shows the absurdities of society. For example, in Lilliput, the tiny people's petty politics is a satire on real - world political squabbles. 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell is also well - known. The pigs taking over the farm and becoming like the very humans they once rebelled against is a great satire on how power can corrupt. And 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' has elements of satire as it comments on society's hypocrisy, especially regarding slavery and race relations through Huck's journey.

Terry Pratchett. His Discworld series combines fantasy elements with sharp satire. The books are set in a flat, disc - shaped world carried on the backs of four elephants standing on a giant turtle. Through various characters and storylines, Pratchett satirizes many aspects of society, such as politics, religion, and human nature.

There's 'Household Saints' by Francine Prose. This novel delves into the lives of Italian American families, their traditions, and the complex relationships within. Also, 'Liar's Club' by Mary Karr has elements of Italian American heritage in it, as it tells the story of a girl growing up in a dysfunctional family with some Italian roots. Moreover, 'The Namesake' by Jhumpa Lahiri, while not strictly an Italian American novel but still relevant in the context of immigrant family experiences, can be compared to Italian American novels in how it explores identity and cultural clashes.

One of the most well - known American novels is 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee. It deals with themes of racial injustice in the American South. Another is 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald, which shows the decadence and disillusionment of the Jazz Age. And 'Moby - Dick' by Herman Melville is also very famous, telling the story of Captain Ahab's obsessive hunt for the white whale.

One of the most famous American epic novels is 'Moby - Dick' by Herman Melville. It tells the story of Captain Ahab's obsessive quest for the white whale. Another is 'The Grapes of Wrath' by John Steinbeck, which follows the Joad family during the Great Depression as they journey to California in search of a better life. Also, 'Gone with the Wind' by Margaret Mitchell is an epic set during the American Civil War and Reconstruction era, focusing on Scarlett O'Hara's life and her struggles in the changing South.

Moby - Dick by Herman Melville is also considered an important early American historical novel. It tells the story of Captain Ahab's obsessive quest for the white whale. It reflects the spirit of adventure and exploration, as well as the complex relationship between man and nature in early American seafaring history.