<strong>Harper Lee</strong>, known for her 1960 classic "To Kill a Mockingbird," will see her second novel, "Go Set a Watchman," published July 14. Her 55-year gap between books is highly unusual but not unprecedented. Here are some other authors who were known for one big book or took long breaks between them.
Harper Lee, known for her 1960 classic "To Kill a Mockingbird," will see her second novel, "Go Set a Watchman," published July 14. Her 55-year gap between books is highly unusual but not unprecedented. Here are some other authors who were known for one big book or took long breaks between them.
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American writer <strong>Sylvia Plath</strong> published "The Bell Jar" in the UK under a pseudonym in 1963, although it wasn't released in the U.S. until 1971. The semi-autobiographical novel explored a woman's descent into mental illness and depression. Plath committed suicide shortly after the book was first published.
American writer Sylvia Plath published "The Bell Jar" in the UK under a pseudonym in 1963, although it wasn't released in the U.S. until 1971. The semi-autobiographical novel explored a woman's descent into mental illness and depression. Plath committed suicide shortly after the book was first published.
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Despite the fact that she wrote two novellas, <strong>Margaret Mitchell</strong> was best known for her epic novel, "Gone with the Wind," named in a 2014 survey as Americans' second-favorite book after the Bible. The 1939 blockbuster movie adaptation only cemented the book's legacy.
Despite the fact that she wrote two novellas, Margaret Mitchell was best known for her epic novel, "Gone with the Wind," named in a 2014 survey as Americans' second-favorite book after the Bible. The 1939 blockbuster movie adaptation only cemented the book's legacy.
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<strong>J.D. Salinger</strong> published several collections of short stories but is most associated with his 1951 coming-of-age novel, "The Catcher in the Rye."
J.D. Salinger published several collections of short stories but is most associated with his 1951 coming-of-age novel, "The Catcher in the Rye."
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<strong>Emily Bronte</strong> was one of three sisters, all of whom published works under male pseudonyms. Her only novel, "Wuthering Heights," was published in 1847 and challenged strict social norms in England at the time.
Emily Bronte was one of three sisters, all of whom published works under male pseudonyms. Her only novel, "Wuthering Heights," was published in 1847 and challenged strict social norms in England at the time.
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<strong>Ralph Ellison</strong> is best known for his classic 1952 novel, "Invisible Man," an exploration of black identity. His second novel, "Juneteenth," was published posthumously 47 years later, in 1999.
Ralph Ellison is best known for his classic 1952 novel, "Invisible Man," an exploration of black identity. His second novel, "Juneteenth," was published posthumously 47 years later, in 1999.
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<strong>John Kennedy Toole</strong> won a posthumous Pulitzer Prize for his only novel, "A Confederacy of Dunces," published in 1980. He had committed suicide 11 years earlier. The unknown manuscript came to the attention of publishers after Toole's mother gave it to writer Walker Percy, who reluctantly agreed to read it and then became its champion.
John Kennedy Toole won a posthumous Pulitzer Prize for his only novel, "A Confederacy of Dunces," published in 1980. He had committed suicide 11 years earlier. The unknown manuscript came to the attention of publishers after Toole's mother gave it to writer Walker Percy, who reluctantly agreed to read it and then became its champion.
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<strong>Marilynne Robinson</strong> published the well-received novel "Housekeeping" in 1980. Her second novel, "Gilead," was not published until 2004 and won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction.
Marilynne Robinson published the well-received novel "Housekeeping" in 1980. Her second novel, "Gilead," was not published until 2004 and won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction.
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<strong>Henry Roth</strong> blamed prolonged writer's block for the six-decade gap between his first novel, "Call it Sleep," in 1934 and his next work, the "Mercy of a Rude Stream" series, which arrived in 1994.
Henry Roth blamed prolonged writer's block for the six-decade gap between his first novel, "Call it Sleep," in 1934 and his next work, the "Mercy of a Rude Stream" series, which arrived in 1994.
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<strong>Donna Tartt</strong> made a splash with her debut novel, "The Secret History," in 1992. It took 10 years before her followup, "The Little Friend," was published and another 11 years until "The Goldfinch" arrived in 2013. That most recent book won a Pulitzer Prize.
Donna Tartt made a splash with her debut novel, "The Secret History," in 1992. It took 10 years before her followup, "The Little Friend," was published and another 11 years until "The Goldfinch" arrived in 2013. That most recent book won a Pulitzer Prize.
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<strong>Junot Diaz</strong> took 12 years to follow up "Drown," his 1995 short-story collection, with the novel, "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao." He called that period "a perfect storm of insecurity and madness and pressure."
Junot Diaz took 12 years to follow up "Drown," his 1995 short-story collection, with the novel, "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao." He called that period "a perfect storm of insecurity and madness and pressure."
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