This post really got me thinking! Wharton immediately comes to mind for a novelist of manners but everything else I think of seems to be more of a social novel (or not fit into either category beyond "book about class" lol like The Wedding).
I loved Free Food for Millionaires and On Beauty so very happy to see them both here although I'm not sure On Beauty will hold up for me after 10 years
I recently read a review that pointed out a lot of fatphobic comments which I don't think are needed even to illustrate how "bad"a character is. And there may be some outdated language
It was about 45 years ago now when I read “An American Tragedy” by Theodore Dreiser, but when thinking about American literature that is a novel of manners, I thought of it. Also, I tried to read back then but was unable to finish even the first book of John Dos Passos’ USA trilogy. Maybe I should try again. I love comedies of manners so back then I was reading Jane Austen and then grew into Barbara Pym
I haven't heard of An American Tragedy but it sounds fascinating, I'll check it out. The USA trilogy sounds interesting but experimental -- report back if you do try it again!
This post really got me thinking! Wharton immediately comes to mind for a novelist of manners but everything else I think of seems to be more of a social novel (or not fit into either category beyond "book about class" lol like The Wedding).
I loved Free Food for Millionaires and On Beauty so very happy to see them both here although I'm not sure On Beauty will hold up for me after 10 years
Wharton is definitely a novelist of manners. And yes, the social novel/novel of manners seems to be, sadly, in the minority in contemporary fiction.
They are both great titles! That's interesting that you say that about On Beauty - why do you think so?
I recently read a review that pointed out a lot of fatphobic comments which I don't think are needed even to illustrate how "bad"a character is. And there may be some outdated language
Ah thanks for pointing that out. If we ever embark on a reread we'll be sure to keep a critical eye out for that
It was about 45 years ago now when I read “An American Tragedy” by Theodore Dreiser, but when thinking about American literature that is a novel of manners, I thought of it. Also, I tried to read back then but was unable to finish even the first book of John Dos Passos’ USA trilogy. Maybe I should try again. I love comedies of manners so back then I was reading Jane Austen and then grew into Barbara Pym
I haven't heard of An American Tragedy but it sounds fascinating, I'll check it out. The USA trilogy sounds interesting but experimental -- report back if you do try it again!
- Shruti
thanks for recommending my post 💌 loved the piece! I’m a huge fan of the novel of manners (and I do see Wharton’s novels as such)
Of course, we loved reading it. And thank you!