Big, successful, first-novels are usually followed by more. But here are 7 that, for one reason or other, qualify their authors for the One-Hit Wonder category:
1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
This instant classic was based on people and occurrences from Harper Lee’s childhood, from when she was just ten years old. A controversial book to some, its themes include the Deep South, racial injustice, class, courage, and gender. Published in 1960, it was made into a movie only two years later. A play based on the book is also performed regularly. A case of Quit while you’re ahead? Possibly. Though she’s written some short essays and is still alive as of this post, she has never tried to publish another novel. According to Wiki, she did work on a second novel called The Long Goodbye, but never finished it.
2. Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Published in 1936, Margaret Mitchell’s first and only novel was sold for the unprecedented price of $3. Her famous Civil War era love story centers around Scarlett O’Hara, the daughter of a plantation owner. Though a famous movie and several plays have been made from the book, she refused to write a sequel. Tragically, Margaret Mitchell died before her time, after being struck by a car in 1949.
3. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Emily Brontë, one of the famous Brontë sisters (along with Charlotte and Anne), published Wuthering Heights in 1847 under the pen name Ellis Bell to mixed reviews. Set in Yorkshire, the story centers around the tragic love story of Heathcliff and Catherine; their love consumes and eventually destroys them. Why only one novel? Well, Emily Brontë died of tuberculosis the year after the book was published. Of course, it was later made into several movies and plays.
4. Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
Written in her later years, while confined to her house, Anna Sewell published Black Beauty in 1877. It broke sales records so quickly she was able to appreciate its success before she died five months later. Black Beauty tells the story of the title character, a horse, through his point of view. Each chapter teaches the reader a lesson about kindness and understanding toward horses. Anna Sewell had been drawn to horses partly because of a childhood injury that left her unable to walk or stand for long periods of time.
5. Raintree County by Ross Lockridge, Jr.
Trying to write the Great American Novel, Lockridge published Raintree County in 1948. The book was a critical success. It is set in a fictional county in Indiana in the time surrounding the Civil War. Themes include westward expansion, slavery, and the Industrial Revolution. Why was this his only novel? Whelp, like many of the others on this list, Lockridge died young, committing suicide shortly after publication. Raintree County was later made into a movie starring Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift.
6. Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
Written from the point of view of a geisha working in Japan, this novel traces the main character from her youth throughout her career. While it is a work of fiction, Memoirs of a Geisha gives us a look into a geisha’s life by revealing actual traditions and rituals, and making us familiar with the challenges of that life. The book was published in 1997 and is, so far, Arthur Golden’s only published novel. It was later made into a movie.
7. A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole
Unable to get the book published himself, A Confederacy of Dunces was published in 1980, 11 years after John Kennedy Toole committed suicide. His mother had found an old copy of the manuscript and made it a personal goal to see the book in print. She managed to get writer Walker Percy to assist, and he later contributed a foreword to the book. Set in the early 1960s in New Orleans, the story revolves around a grown man living with his mother who must finally go out and get a job. This adventure causes him to cross paths with many colorful characters. The book became a cult classic and a true success. Toole was posthumously awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1981. There have been several attempts to make the book into a movie, but as of yet nothing has come of it.
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“Though Lee is still alive as of this writing, she has never tried to publish another novel.” “Though she’s written some short essays and is still alive as of this post, she has never tried to publish another novel.”
^ Needs further editing, as these say the same thing.
posted by Jeremy on 9-7-2010 at 9:06 am
@Jeremy: C’mon man. Was that really necessary? Why don’t you just do us all a favor and edit the entire internet while you’re at it, smarty pants.
Great post David!
posted by Red Bunny on 9-7-2010 at 9:23 am
The thing that Jeremy pointed out didn’t bother me. The sentence beginning “Whelp” under the story about “Raintree County” did.
posted by harold on 9-7-2010 at 9:43 am
John Kennedy Toole wrote another novel, The Neon Bible, before he wrote A Confederacy of Dunces.
posted by Meg on 9-7-2010 at 10:54 am
Dill was based on Truman Capote, Harper Lee’s childhood friend.
Nice list.
posted by Val on 9-7-2010 at 10:55 am
My question is – does a book actually have to be GOOD to be considered a work of art or a is it just commercial success that makes it good? Because I’ve read both, the works of art and the commercial successes and found greatness in both areas and also found junk in both. And this list also has both.
posted by Danielle on 9-7-2010 at 11:03 am
The above redundancy was not the only proofreader’s nightmare. It took me about three minutes to read the article – the author should have taken the same three before posting it to remove several glaring typos… Is the authors name Toole or Toolev, for one? Also, “is” only has one “i.”
posted by malaise on 9-7-2010 at 12:11 pm
Freshman year of high school we had to read a biography. I read an autobiography called: Geisha, A Life. It is really an amazing story, and she debunks the Geisha myth, real Geishas were highly skilled dancers/entertainers (not to be confused with the Geishas of the sex industry). Part of the confusion stems from the “Maiko” which is an apprentice Geiko (Geisha), the same goes for the sex industry version also called Maiko,but refers to a prostitute with her virginity intact. Real Geisha (like the author) were actually highly respected and many businessmen wanted their sons and grandsons to marry a Geiko because they had many business connections and met with foreign dignitaries.
posted by Mathilda on 9-7-2010 at 12:44 pm
Malaise, I assume by “authors name” you mean “author’s name”?
Perhaps people should pay attention to their own spelling errors before criticizing the site for its errors.
posted by Jenn on 9-7-2010 at 1:45 pm
I was happy to see “A Confederacy of Dunces” included–it’s always been one of my favorite books. It’s very hard to get people to read it, but those who do always love it. I also have his other novel mentioned above.
posted by Kathy on 9-7-2010 at 2:15 pm
I hated Confederacy of Dunces. I don’t understand all of the hype,
posted by jake on 9-7-2010 at 2:32 pm
Very enjoyable article. I found it odd that so many on the list died shortly after their novels were published. It makes me wonder if they would have followed up their success, or if their one story is all they ever had to tell
Most articles on MF have wonderful comments that expand and enhance the article. Complaining about grammer and spelling do neither.
posted by hockeyzombie on 9-7-2010 at 4:04 pm
I’m with jake about Confederacy of Dunces. I made it through that novel b/c everyone said it was great, but was annoyed by the main character to no end. I usually re-read books more than once, but I’ll not pick that one up again.
Also, what about:
Dr. Zhivago by Boris Pasternak
Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
posted by Suze on 9-7-2010 at 5:13 pm
During a tour of the Margaret Mitchell house in Atlanta, I learned that Ms. Mitchell had been writing all of her life, but her will stipulated that all of her personal writings and journals be burned upon her death. There is a short story that she wrote for a friend that you can read. It’s called “Lost Laysen.” It’s short, but very dramatic.
posted by Jenny Lee on 9-7-2010 at 6:17 pm
Antoine de Saint-Exupery actually wrote a bunch of semi-autobiographical works, though a lot of them were published after he died.
posted by Hailey on 9-7-2010 at 6:52 pm
I wish the view of the success of a book was not linked to whether it was made into a movie or not.
posted by Michael O. on 9-8-2010 at 11:07 am
I did not enjoy, like, or even appreciate Dunces one iota. I can say without reservation that reading it was the nadir of my bibliophilic life.
On the other hand, perhaps I should grant it a new reading now that I’ve been properly inoculated with small doses of Dan Brown and Stephenie Meyer. ;)
posted by CJ the Confederated on 9-8-2010 at 4:41 pm
As a Louisiana-bred individual, I love me some “Confederacy of Dunces”. Indeed, as I progress in my doctorate, I’m beginning to wonder if I’m turning into Ignatius J. Reilly.
Also, is it just me, or does anyone else thing Mos Def was born to play Burma Jones in a film version?
posted by Stu on 9-11-2010 at 3:26 pm
Ok- now I’d like to get my hands on a copy of Confederacy of Dunces…
And, as is often the case, I very much enjoyed the comments, too! ;)
posted by ann on 9-11-2010 at 3:49 pm
Ones that sprang to my mind were Catch-22 by Joseph Heller and A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess. Sure, both these authors had other books, but I think as far as most people are concerned, those are their only ‘hits’. I haven’t read any other of Burgess’ books, but have read all of Heller’s and can confirm he never quite hit the heights of Catch-22 again, unfortunately.
posted by Gwan on 9-12-2010 at 10:33 am
I was also thinking “Catch-22.” I think it’s one of the few great works of literature with a sequel, too.
posted by Jennifer on 9-13-2010 at 1:43 pm