30 Great Books of the 1940s

With race, gender, and politics becoming evermore popular, the 1940s were probably most famous for bringing everyone together during one of the most violent wars in human history: World War II. As the world rose against Adolf Hitler, books and films took over the shelves and screen to become the most popular forms of entertainment—and music was roaring out in the most stylish of fashions.

1940s music includes famous faces like The Andrews Sisters, popular for their All-American Girl Sound and their songs like "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy", they were at their highest point of fame during the war. Artists like Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, the great Dean Martin, some guy called... (squints) Frank... Sinatra and obviously, my favourite—Billie Holiday were all part of this beautiful decade. Fun fact: Frank Sinatra once said that Billie Holiday was his biggest influence because of her incredible voice. Thank you Frank for acknowledging Billie's talents.

God, if I start talking about Billie Holiday I won't stop so we'll move on...

Let's have a look at some great books from this amazing decade. The sound, the screen and the shelves were booming with talent. Let's give it the attention it deserves!

I'll talk about some intermittently and my favourites will be marked with a (*). And remember, they are in no particular order...

1-10

1. The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers*

One of the greatest books of the 1940s to start the list. About two mutes who are best friends, this book depicts one of the most diverse stories to be written of its time. It is a story not just of the mutes, but of many different people, all intertwined by their lives. Do you want to read more about my love of Carson McCullers? Check the link here.

2. The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov*

3. For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway*

4. The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene

5. Native Son by Richard Wright

6. Hangover Square by Patrick Hamilton

7. Reflections in a Golden Eye by Carson McCullers

8. The Stranger by Albert Camus*

9. The Ministry of Fear by Graham Greene

10. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery*

In my opinion, one of the greatest books ever written. This man was an absolute genius and this story is just proof of that fact.

11-20

11. The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus

12. The Razor's Edge by W. Somerset Maugham*

This guy presents the 40s in the best way. It is very much like reading The Great Gatsby, just it is the 40s and not everyone is a complete a**hole. The writing style is quick-witted and clever, you'll be pleasantly surprised with how different this is from the usual request of 40s Literature. I definitely enjoyed it (also we share a birthday so that's a plus as well!)

13. The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams*

14. Watt by Samuel Beckett

15. Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh*

This is one of my favourite books of all time and I would really love it if you decided to read this one. It is about a man called Charles Ryder who, at university, is told to be aware of a man holding a teddy bear called Aloysius. That man is Lord Sebastian Flyte of Marchmain. Anyways, Ryder ignores the advice and becomes friends with Sebastian. Sebastian takes him to his house called "Brideshead" and from there, tragedy after tragedy ensues after Ryder is employed to paint for Sebastian's mother, Lady Marchmain. The more he learns about the family's dark secrets, the more intwined in them he becomes. It is a seriously great novel and oh my god, I've gone on a bit haven't I? Sorry. Just please read it... you will not be disappointed.

16. Animal Farm by George Orwell

17. If He Hollers Let Him Go by Chester Himes*

I love, love, love the Harlem Detective Novels and seriously, you will definitely love them too. They are absolutely brilliant.

18. The Member of the Wedding by Carson McCullers*

19. The Plague by Albert Camus

20. Under the Volcano by Malcolm Lowry*

I only read this recently but it quickly became one of my favourite books. It is set over one day, the last day of the life of a man called Jeffrey. Through this day, we examine his various relationships and his life history. We examine what he does, what he did and then, at the end of the book he experiences his death. Or does he? I always think about this, does he really die at the end of the book? Is it just all in his head? I ask this because for most of the book we remain in his head and so, it would make sense that the death experience would be in his head as well. Though it is in 3rd person, it seriously feels like we get to see things that would only be possible in 1st person. That is the beauty of it all.

21-30

21. Bend Sinister by Vladimir Nabokov

22. Snow Country by Yasunari Kawabata

23. The Victim by Saul Bellow

24. A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams*

Now what would a list of 1940s literature be without "A Streetcar Named Desire"? It really wouldn't be one at all would it? (All I can hear is Marlon Brando screaming "Stella!")

25. The Naked and the Dead by Norman Mailer

26. 1984 by George Orwell*

27. The Heat of the Day by Elizabeth Bowen

28. Being and Nothingness by Jean-Paul Sartre*

29. The Third Policeman by Flann O'Brien

30. Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog by Dylan Thomas*