Kate Chopin
Amy Tan
Octavia Butler
Gwendolyn Brooks
Elizabeth Bishop

^ Yes!



Joyce Carol Oates too


A lot of great short story writers in there

What about Eudora Welty? Admittedly, I haven't actually read any of her novels -- just short stories -- but I've also read about her and she seems to be held in high esteem.

Anonymous wrote:Edwidge Danticat is a hack.

Wow, OP, this thread is making me seriously depressed. We have a dearth of great women in American Lit.

That was my point in posting it. A friend told me that we have few great U.S. literary women. I am not very literary, but I ticked off a few writers. She then ticked of many, many British writers. Granted they have a much longer history and tradition of literature than we do, but it did make me stop and think.

Thanks to those who have answered.

Jane Smiley
Anne Tyler

Anonymous wrote:Edwidge Danticat is a hack.

Wow, OP, this thread is making me seriously depressed. We have a dearth of great women in American Lit.

What makes you say that? I loved Krik?Krak!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Harper Lee

Extremely over-rated. She was a one-hit wonder. The second book sucks.

The second book is really her first.

The fact that To Kill a Mockingbird is the one that is so great doesn't make her over-rated. She created a beautiful novel.

Edwidge Danticat is a hack.

Wow, OP, this thread is making me seriously depressed. We have a dearth of great women in American Lit.

Anonymous wrote:Harper Lee

Extremely over-rated. She was a one-hit wonder. The second book sucks.

In addition to the above:

Emily Dickinson
Zora Neale Hurston
Jhumpa Lahiri
Sandra Cisneros
Gertrude Stein
Edwidge Danticat
Gloria Naylor
Louisa May Alcott

Harper Lee

Anonymous wrote:Why? Is this a homework assignment?


In any case, I would say off the top of my head

Edith Wharton
Flannery O'Connor
Sylvia Plath
Maya Angelou
Alice Walker
Toni Morrison
Willa Cather

Over-rated. Sometimes you get points for committing suicide/dying young or for being of color.

I like Marilynne Robinson, Joan Didion (prefer her novels to her essays and reporting) and Toni Morrison. More recently Donna Tartt.

A recent favorite that I hope joins those ranks is Rachel Kushner. Nell Zink is interesting too.

Why? Is this a homework assignment?


In any case, I would say off the top of my head

Edith Wharton
Flannery O'Connor
Sylvia Plath
Maya Angelou
Alice Walker
Toni Morrison
Willa Cather

I hope Jeff doesn't move this to the "entertainment and pop culture" thread, because I don't think it belongs there.

Looking for your opinions on the great women of U.S. literature. Thank you.