Friends,

New Orleans is a flame that burns deeply in my heart and soul. It has been for many before me. Perhaps it is for you as well. She has inspired many and brought out beauty in so many creative hands and minds. It is no historical anomaly that many of the greatest writers of America lived in the city. Still, the city being far away from major population centers on the coasts has not received just appreciation for the fruits of its writers' labors.

I would like to share with you my favorite ten novels set in the city above all American cities. I considered quite a number of novels, and I am no where near the authority and would love to read your favorites. Some that were considered but did not make the list include All the Kings Men, as it did not explicitly say much less feel like it was set in the city.

Faulkner's only novel set in the city, Mosquitos, was, dare I say it, a terrible novel. And I make that criticism as one who loves spending a day on Lake Pontchartrain. Tennessee Williams was a drunkard destroyed by the false aspects of the city, and thus did not write any novels of note about the city. I suppose Streetcar was a decent enough play.

Last and perhaps least, and certainly to draw the disdain from high schoolers, is Confederacy of Dunces. This is a fun novel, but ultimately is about nothing and has no redeeming quality except being a good escape from reality. Literature and film, art in general, while escape can be an element, should reach far deeper and point to something transcendent, if it is to be considered great. O'Toole's novel likely inspired Larry David and his comedies, which are entertaining but entirely waggish and ultimately worthless for the good.

Anne Rice? I will not even comment on her novels. The Neon Rain isn't bad, but crime novels don't do it for me. Tom Fitzmorris would write a great novel about New Orleans, if he tried. Instead, we have some great restaurant books from him. I look forward to reading your top ten list.

TulaneLSU's Top 10 New Orleans novels

10. Life on the Mississippi, Mark Twain
Some will argue it is not a novel, but if you read it you will see there is plenty there to include it as a novel.

9. Rising Tide, John Barry
Non-fiction, for the most part, Barry is at his best when he inserts his novelist's presence in backroom meetings and on a levee nearing collapse.

8. One Dead in the Attic, Chris Rose
Count another author's demise to the temptations of the city's underside. Notwithstanding his current pathetic situation, Rose has left the only narrative about Katrina worth reading.

7. Pylon
Faulkner's least appreciated novel.

6. Love in the Ruins
I debated including this, as it takes place on the Northshore, but in the end, the novel's Kierkegaardian quest is too great to exclude.

5.The Awakening, Kate Chopin
I'm not a fan of its small sexual theme, but otherwise, it is a wonderful novel.

4. Old Creole Days, George Washington Cable
No one has ever described life in New Orleans better than Cable. He is my inspiration.

3. Strong Hearts, George Washington Cable
Want to know where many of your native New Orleanian generally held thoughts on the city originate? Read this and you will see how influential Cable was on our Geist.

2. The Moviegoer, Walker Percy
No book captures New Orleans of the mid to late 20th century better. More importantly, its message is resounding and timeless.

1. The Grandissimes: A Story of Creole Life, George Washington Cable
Anyone who lives, loves, or hates New Orleans, or breathes air, should read this American classic that is perhaps the greatest American novel.

Friends, I look forward to reading your favorites.

Faith, Hope, and Love,
TulaneLSU

This post was edited on 4/16/20 at 1:24 pm