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- Justin Torres, We the Animals. Torres’ slim, elegant, intense 2011 bildungsroman carries us deftly from the mania of childhood and brotherhood to the alienation of young adulthood and the self-knowledge that comes with it—or inspires it, as it were.
- André Aciman, Call Me By Your Name. If you read this space, you’ll know that I’m a fan of Call Me By Your Name, a perfect, deeply interior novel, steeped in desire, about a young man who falls in love with an older visitor, and discovers quite a bit about himself—and love, and family—in the process.
- Jeffrey Eugenides, Middlesex. A coming of age story that is also a coming of self story, as Callie becomes Cal, and the world becomes modern. See also: The Virgin Suicides, which rivals this one fiercely in my heart and is also in some ways a purer bildungsroman, though for a faceless chorus of boys instead of a single one.
- Katherine Dunn, Geek Love. So much more than a coming of age novel, of course, and not usually designated as such—and yet still it fits, as Olympia tells the monstrous story of her childhood (while endeavoring to protect her own daughter from the woman who would “normalize” her).
A curated list of the best coming-of-age books from various genres, themes, and eras. Whether you're looking for romance, sci-fi, or memoir, you'll find a book that captures the challenges and joys of growing up.
- Reedsy
- To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee.
- On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous Ocean Vuong.
- Jane Eyre Charlotte Brontë.
- The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Mark Twain.
Mar 31, 2021 · 01 April 2021. Image: Alicia Fernandes / Penguin. Coming-of-age novels aren’t necessarily about age. They’re about growth, that defining moment in a character’s arc when the simple optimism of youth gives way to something deeper, an emotional understanding both of the world and themselves.
A coming-of-age story is a genre of literature that focuses on the growth of a protagonist from youth to adulthood ("coming of age"). Coming-of-age stories tend to emphasize dialogue or internal monologue over action, and are often set in the past or have adults looking back into the past.
Mar 23, 2023 · Find 24 of the best coming-of-age novels to read, from authors like Angie Thomas, Sandra Cisneros, and more!
Aug 26, 2019 · The 50 Greatest Coming-of-Age Novels ‹ Literary Hub. Summer's Almost Over . . . Just Like Your Childhood (Sorry) By Emily Temple. August 26, 2019. J. D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye. With To Kill a Mockingbird, probably the first title that comes to mind (at least for Americans) when someone mentions “coming-of-age” novels.
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