Four Classic American Novels
The Scarlet Letter, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The RedBadge Of Courage, Billy Budd
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Shining examples of American literature at its best, these four novels explore timeless themes—adventure, war, sex, and morality—through compelling narratives. An adulteress, a runaway boy, a terrified soldier, and a maltreated sailor—the heroes of these novels have become a part of popular culture. This indispensable volume includes…
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
Billy Budd by Herman Melville
With an Introduction by Sandra Newman
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Born in 1804, Nathaniel Hawthorne is known for his historical tales and novels about American colonial society. After publishing The Scarlet Letter in 1850, its status as an instant bestseller allowed him to earn a living as a novelist. Full of dark romanticism, psychological complexity, symbolism, and cautionary tales, his work is still popular today. He has earned a place in history as one of the most distinguished American writers of the nineteenth century.
More by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Mark Twain
Michael B. Frank and Harriet Elinor Smith are both members of the Mark Twain Project of The Bancroft Library at the University of California, Berkeley.
More by Mark Twain
Stephen Crane
Stephen Crane was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1871. He died in Germany on June 5, 1900.
More by Stephen Crane
Herman Melville
Herman Melville (1819–1891) was an American novelist, short story writer, essayist, and poet who received wide acclaim for his earliest novels, such as Typee and Redburn, but fell into relative obscurity by the end of his life. Today, Melville is hailed as one of the definitive masters of world literature for novels including Moby Dick and Billy Budd, as well as for enduringly popular short stories such as Bartleby, the Scrivener and The Bell-Tower.
More by Herman Melville
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