Collected Stories of William Faulkner wins the National Book Award.
The Town by Conrad Richter wins the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.
Pär Lagerkvist wins the Nobel Prize for Literature.
Published in 1951:
My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier. I’ve read this one, and it’s not as good as Rebecca, but it’s not bad.
The End of the Affair by Graham Greene. I just didn’t get this story. It’s about an illicit affair, and the woman who ends it because she makes a promise to God. I just didn’t get why it’s supposed to be so very meaningful and well-written. I’m afraid I may be demonstrating my philistinism, but there it is.
Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis. Not my favorite of the Narnia tales, but still a good book. And it introduces one of my favorite characters, Reepicheep the mouse.
Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. Never read it.
The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey. One of my favorite historical fiction mysteries of all time. From his hospital bed while recuperating from a broken leg, Scotland Yard Police Inspector Alan Grant solves the case of the murder of the two princes in the tower which occurred around the year 1483.
The Caine Mutiny by Herman Wouk. Winner of the 1952 Pulitzer Prize. I read this 1951 best-seller when I was in high school at a church camp, and I remember it as an absorbing tale. The book was later made into a movie starring Humphrey Bogart.
Fiction set in 1951:
Unfinished Desires by Gail Godwin. Recommended by Jennifer at 5 Minutes for Books.
The Attenbury Emeralds by Jill Paton Walsh.
The year of my birth – and I’m surprised that I’ve read all of these.
Sherry, I’m enjoying these posts immensely. I hope there is a book in the works.
I haven’t even dipped my big toe into Faulkner. Several are on my shelf, but, frankly, I’m scared of the big guy.
I’ve never heard of Conrad RIchter or Pär Lagerkvist. Funny thing—I think Daphne du Maurier was the only author of whom my dad said, “I don’t want you to read that book.” I believe I was in 7th grade. And I had to stop, reader interruptus, in the middle and take it back to the library. Sniff.
Sherry, you are my kind of philistine. May I join your circle?
Now, I am definitely reading Josephine Tey’s The Daughter of Time!
I’ve had The Daughter of Time sitting on my shelf for a couple of years. I really need to read that book!