From Jazz to Voodoo: The Top Literary Works on New Orleans Culture

New Orleans, also known as the Big Easy, has a rich and colorful history that is deeply rooted in its unique culture. From jazz music to voodoo practices, New Orleans is a melting pot of different influences that have shaped its identity over time. And what better way to explore this vibrant city than through literature? In this blog post, we'll take you on a literary journey through the top works of fiction and non-fiction that capture the essence of New Orleans culture. Get ready to dive into the world of Mardi Gras parades, haunted mansions, spicy Cajun cuisine, and more!

New Orleans literature is a genre unto itself, shaped by the city’s unique history and culture. From jazz to voodoo, there are countless ways to explore the literary side of New Orleans. Here are some of the top literary works on New Orleans culture:

• "Jazz" by Toni Morrison: This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel tells the story of an African-American family in the early 20th century, as they navigate the world of jazz music in New Orleans.
• "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin: This classic novel tells the story of a woman who struggles to find herself amid the stifling constraints of her Victorian-era marriage. The book is set in New Orleans and includes many references to local customs and beliefs.
• "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennessee Williams: One of the most famous plays ever written, "A Streetcar Named Desire" is set in New Orleans and explores the dark underside of human desire. The playwright was himself a resident of New Orleans for many years.
• "The Glass Menagerie" by Tennessee Williams: Another classic play from Tennessee Williams, "The Glass Menagerie" is set in St. Louis but features several references to New Orleans culture. The play is semi-autobiographical, drawing on Williams’ own upbringing in a dysfunctional family.

These are just a few of the great works of literature that deal with New Orleans culture. If you’re interested in  learning more about this vibrant city, be sure to check out the numerous books, plays, and films that explore its history and culture.

Classic Authors of New Orleans

New Orleans is a city with a rich cultural history, and that is reflected in its literary tradition. There are many classic authors who have written about the city, its people, and its culture. Here are some of the most famous:

• -William Faulkner: Faulkner was born in New Orleans and wrote several novels set in the city, including The Sound and the Fury and As I Lay Dying. He is considered one of the greatest American writers of all time.
• -Tennessee Williams: Williams was born in Mississippi but spent a great deal of time in New Orleans, which served as the setting for many of his plays, including A Streetcar Named Desire. He is one of the most important American playwrights of the 20th century.
• -Anne Rice: Rice was born in New Orleans and has set many of her novels, including Interview with the Vampire, in the city. She is a best-selling author who is known for her Gothic fiction.
• -John Kennedy Toole: Toole was born in New Orleans and wrote his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, A Confederacy of Dunces, while living in the city. The book is a comic masterpiece that captures the unique flavor of New Orleans.

Famous Literary Works About New Orleans

If you want to learn about New Orleans culture, there is no better way than through its literature. The city has inspired some of the world’s greatest writers, who have captured its unique spirit in their work.

Here are some of the most famous literary works about New Orleans:

1. “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams – This Pulitzer Prize-winning play is set in the French Quarter and tells the story of a decaying Southern belle who descends into madness.

2. “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin – This novel was ahead of its time in depicting a woman’s search for identity and sexual liberation. It is set in late 19th-century New Orleans and Grand Isle.

3. “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” by Mark Haddon – While not set in New Orleans, this mystery novel features a teenage sleuth with Asperger’s syndrome who visits the city on his quest to solve a crime.

4. “In the Time of the Butterflies” by Julia Alvarez – This historical fiction novel is based on the true story of four sisters who were killed for their involvement in the Dominican Republic’s resistance movement against dictator Rafael Trujillo. The sisters grew up in New Orleans but spent much of their adult lives living under Trujillo’s regime.

5. “The  Glass Menagerie” by Tennessee Williams – This classic play tells the story of a dysfunctional family living in poverty in St. Louis, but it is set in the 1930s, before the majority of the action takes place in New Orleans.

6. “A Lesson Before Dying” by Ernest J. Gaines – This Pulitzer Prize-nominated novel is set in 1940s Louisiana and follows an African-American schoolteacher who helps a condemned man prepare for his execution.

7. “The Moviegoer” by Walker Percy – This classic novel is set in 1950s New Orleans and tells the story of a young man trying to make sense of his life while also struggling with existential ennui.

Jazz History in New Orleans Literature

New Orleans literature is rife with references to the city's rich jazz history. In Toni Morrison's Jazz, for example, the protagonist describes listening to jazz music as "a way of life, a way of being in the world" ( Morrison 17). Likewise, in Edward P. Jones' The Known World, one of the characters is a talented jazz musician who turns to music to escape the racism and poverty he faces in his everyday life.

Interestingly, many New Orleans-based novels also make reference to the city's voodoo culture. Morrison's Jazz includes a subplot about a voodoo woman who helps the protagonist find closure after her husband's death. In Denise Moore's Voodoo Dreams, meanwhile, the main character is a young woman who turns to voodoo queens for help when she starts experiencing strange visions.

Both jazz and voodoo play significant roles in New Orleans culture and history, and it's no surprise that they would be prominent features in the city's literature as well. These references provide readers with a deeper understanding of what life is like in New Orleans and offer insights into the city's unique culture and traditions.

Voodoo and the Supernatural in New Orleans Books

New Orleans is a city steeped in history, and that history is reflected in its literature. From Jazz to Voodoo, there are plenty of books that explore the culture of New Orleans. Here are some of the best:

1. Jazz by Toni Morrison

Jazz is a novel by Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison. The book tells the story of an African-American family in the early 20th century. The family moves from the South to Harlem, and the novel explores their experiences with racism, love, and loss.

2. Voodoo Dreams: A Novel of Marie Laveau by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Voodoo Dreams is a historical fiction novel about Marie Laveau, a real-life voodoo priestess who lived in New Orleans in the 19th century. The novel tells the story of Marie's life, from her childhood in Haiti to her years as a voodoo queen in New Orleans.

3. A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole

A Confederacy of Dunces is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel set in New Orleans in the 1960s. The book follows the exploits of Ignatius J. Reilly, an overweight, foul-mouthed man who spends his days lounging around his mother's house and getting into various misadventures.

4. The Awakening by Kate Chopin

The Awakening is a classic novel about a woman named Edna Pontellier who discovers her own identity and sexuality in the culturally conservative environment of New Orleans. The book is considered a pioneering work of feminist literature, and was ahead of its time when it was first published in 1899.

5. Voodoo Queen: The Spirited Lives of Marie Laveau by Martha Ward

Voodoo Queen is a biography of Marie Laveau, filled with details about her life and legacy in New Orleans. The book includes interviews with those who knew her, as well as archival research to tell the story of the legendary voodoo queen.

How to Find More Books on New Orleans Culture

If you're interested in reading more about New Orleans culture, there are a few different ways you can go about finding more books on the subject. One option is to visit your local library or bookstore and ask the staff for recommendations. Another possibility is to search online for book lists or reviews related to New Orleans culture. Additionally, there are a number of websites and databases that can help you locate specific titles (such as the Louisiana Literature website). Don't forget to check out used bookstores, which often have a good selection of titles on regional topics.

New Orleans has a rich culture that deserves its due diligence. There are many great literary works out there exploring the music, cuisine, and lifestyle of this unique city. From jazz to voodoo and everything in between, these books will give you an insight into what makes New Orleans so special. Whether you’re from the area or just want to learn more about it, reading any one of these works can help you understand why people love it so much.