The 1950s was a bizarre period in the United States. It was a time when the current post-war prosperity, with all its normalcy and serenity, encouraged the growth of new countercultures. This recalcitrant mindset started becoming obvious not only in the decade’s politics, music, art, and movies, but in literature as well. This kind of attitude is quite apparent in some of the most iconic books published in America in the ‘50s.
Apart from discernible themes of alienation, rebellion, and discrimination, the decade’s societal problems – like suppression, prejudice, and commercialization – arise as recurring motifs in most of these books. Here are ten classic books published during the ‘50s.
Released in 1957, this book was destined to become Dr. Seuss’ most iconic work. It is instantly recognizable even now as a classic in children’s literature.
Written by James Baldwin in 1956, the novel deals with alienation in society. With its then-shocking discussion of homosexuality, the book is considered one of the best in terms of gay literature.
With no introduction needed, The Lord of the Rings is one of the most popular works of literary fiction in the fantasy niche. Written by J.R.R. Tolkien, the trilogy was penned between 1937 and 1949, and published between 1954 and 1955.
Set in a dystopian future, the 1953 iconic novel by Ray Bradbury touches on the issues of censorship and how far people will go to dumb down information.
The story centers on Holden Caulfield, a 16-year old who is perturbed by the pretentiousness of the world. The J.D. Salinger classic, published in 1951, is a must-read for teens going through feelings of angst. While it was banned for a while in many places, it is now a staple in high school English classes.
The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison was published in 1952. It tells the story of an African-American during the mid-century, right before the start of the civil rights movement.
This short novel, published in 1951, is the last major work of Ernest Hemingway. The books proved once again that Hemingway is a master of prose, with the novel touching on thought-provoking themes.
I, Robot is one of the most influential and well-loved American science fiction thrillers to date. Written by Isaac Asimov in 1950, I, Robot contains a collection of short stories to delight any science fiction fan.
Arthur Miller’s work was first released in 1953 and is set in the midst of the Salem witch trials. The book, however, has a deeper message, offering insight into the persecution of communists during the McCarthy era.
This bestselling book for kids by E.B. White tells the tale of a spider helping save a pig’s life. It gives a unique perspective on death for children.