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looking for early 20th century, small town story

Posted: Mon September 19th, 2011, 4:59 am
by ceethreepio
I'm a writer in a novel-writing class, and I need to find a book similar to the one I'm trying to write. I'm looking for a book that's set in a small town, with a major character who wants to leave the town but can't (not enough money), and a stranger who comes to town who might help the major character or who might dupe him/her. 1930s/early 20th century would be a major plus!

Any recommendations would be helpful!

Posted: Mon September 19th, 2011, 6:03 am
by Margaret
I've seen an early Paul Newman movie with a very similar plot to this, called The Long Hot Summer. According to Wikipedia, it was based on some short stories by William Faulkner, particularly "The Hamlet." I don't believe I ever read "The Hamlet," but Faulkner was quite a distinguished novelist (though not to every reader's taste), so this might impress your teacher.

Posted: Tue September 20th, 2011, 3:02 pm
by ceethreepio
Thanks, Margaret!

Weedy Rough, by Douglas C. Jones

Posted: Tue September 20th, 2011, 4:10 pm
by Chris Little
Weedy Rough is a small 1920s, 30s, Ozarks Arkansas town. The grandson of a character developed in earlier Jones' novels is the central character. The boy is destined to leave town, and in the end needs grandfather Pay's help.