Books that Feature the Theme of Masculinity

This thematic Collection centers books that explore the concepts of manhood and masculinity. Through novels, plays, and literary genres, a diverse chorus of authors examines various interpretations of masculine identity and the masculine experience through coming-of-age stories, war narratives, and fantasy realms.

In Another Country

by Ernest Hemingway

Publication year 1925

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Loneliness, War, Masculinity, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Love, Marriage

Tags Historical Fiction, World War I, Education, Education, Military & War, American Literature, World History, Classic Fiction

“In Another Country” is a short story by Ernest Hemingway first published in Scribner’s Magazine in 1927. Hemingway was one of the most celebrated writers of his time and was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1954. His works include short stories and novels as well as journalism and non-fiction studies, such as Death in the Afternoon (1932), about bullfighting. This guide refers to the version of “In Another Country” reprinted in the 1938... Read In Another Country Summary

Indian Camp

by Ernest Hemingway

Publication year 1924

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Fathers, Daughters & Sons, Colonialism, Masculinity, Death

Tags Classic Fiction, American Literature, Education, Education, World History

One of his several short stories set in Northern Michigan, “Indian Camp” by Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961) was first published in a 1924 issue of the Parisian literary magazine Transatlantic Review. The next year, “Indian Camp” was included in Hemingway’s first story collection, In Our Time. “Indian Camp” has since become one of Hemingway’s most heavily anthologized works. Based partly on Hemingway’s visits to Petoskey, Michigan, during childhood and young adulthood, “Indian Camp” follows young Nick... Read Indian Camp Summary

Ingram

by Louis C.K.

Publication year 2025

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Masculinity, Coming of Age, The Past

Tags Literary Fiction, Contemporary Literature, American Literature

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Invisible Girl

by Lisa Jewell

Publication year 2010

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Fear, Grief, Hate & Anger, Loneliness, Masculinity, The Past, Appearance & Reality, Family, Justice, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies, Self Discovery

Tags Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction

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Iron John

by Robert Bly

Publication year 1984

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Masculinity, Nature Versus Nurture, Fathers

Tags Gender & Feminism, Philosophy, Philosophy, Sociology, Psychology, Psychology, Fantasy, Self-Improvement, Religion & Spirituality

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I Will Find You

by Harlan Coben

Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Guilt, Regret, Masculinity, Daughters & Sons, Family, Fathers, Good & Evil, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Trust & Doubt

Tags Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction

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Jacob's Room

by Virginia Woolf

Publication year 1922

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Masculinity, Social Class, Education, War

Tags British Literature, Classic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction

Jacob’s Room (1922) is a novel by Virginia Woolf. The novel is considered to be Woolf’s first experimental novel and a landmark in Modernist literature, notable for its fragmented narrative structure and indirect characterization. Through shifting perspectives and lyrical prose, Woolf reconstructs the life of a young English man named Jacob Flanders in the early 20th century. The novel explores The Ineffability of Individual Identity, Navigating Social Norms in a Changing World, and The Complexities... Read Jacob's Room Summary

Jade City

by Fonda Lee

Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Shame & Pride, Masculinity, Objects & Materials, Siblings, Teamwork, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed

Tags Fantasy, Science Fiction, Action & Adventure, Addiction & Substance Abuse, Gender & Feminism, Leadership, Trauma & Abuse, Mystery & Crime Fiction

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Jealous Husband Returns in Form of Parrot

by Robert Olen Butler

Publication year 1996

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Marriage, Love, Masculinity

Tags Magical Realism, Relationships, Fantasy

Robert Olen Butler’s 1995 short story “Jealous Husband Returns in Form of Parrot” has been widely reprinted and anthologized. Its themes, which typify Butler's work, include alienation, desire, and the challenges of communicating with others. Butler is a best-selling American author and won the 1992 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for his short story collection A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain, which explores the experiences of Vietnamese immigrants in the United States. “Jealous Husband,” however... Read Jealous Husband Returns in Form of Parrot Summary

Jesse

by Gary Soto

Publication year 1994

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Hope, Loneliness, Masculinity, Race, Family, Friendship, Community, War, Art, Coming of Age, Self Discovery, Social Class

Tags Realistic Fiction, Arts & Culture, Historical Fiction, Coming of Age, Agriculture, Social Class, US History, Poverty, Race & Racism, Social Justice, Vietnam War

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Jesus and John Wayne

by Kristin Kobes Du Mez

Publication year 2020

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Fear, Nostalgia, Masculinity, Race, Sexual Identity, Family, Social Class, Colonialism, Community, Nation, Politics & Government, War, Fate, Good & Evil, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed, Religion & Spirituality, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies, Wins & Losses

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Jesus' Son

by Denis Johnson

Publication year 1992

Genre Short Story Collection, Fiction

Themes Apathy, Conflict, Perseverance, Fear, Forgiveness, Grief, Guilt, Hate & Anger, Hope, Loneliness, Regret, Shame & Pride, Masculinity, Mental Health, Death, Future, The Past, Friendship, Self Discovery, Community, Safety & Danger

Tags Addiction & Substance Abuse, American Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, World History, Classic Fiction

Jesus’ Son (1992) is a collection of short fiction by American writer Denis Johnson, published by Farrar, Strauss, & Giroux. It explores themes of The Slipperiness of Time, Substance Use Disorder, and Violence as Inevitability. In the form of a short story cycle, each of the 11 stories of Jesus’ Son is narrated by the same protagonist, who has a substance use disorder and is referred to in the narrative as “Fuckhead”. The book takes... Read Jesus' Son Summary

Keesha's House

by Helen Frost

Publication year 2003

Genre Novel/Book in Verse, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Gratitude, Grief, Hope, Loneliness, Femininity, Gender Identity, Masculinity, Mental Health, Race, Sexual Identity, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Family, Teamwork, Self Discovery, Safety & Danger

Tags Realistic Fiction, Narrative Poem

Keesha’s House (2003) is a coming-of-age novel in verse by Helen Frost. Frost has published several books for young readers, including other novels in verse. Keesha’s House is a Michael L. Printz Honor Book, and it is praised for introducing young readers to poetry. Frost uses sestinas and sonnets to tell the stories of seven teens—Stephie, Jason, Keesha, Carmen, Dontay, Harris, and Katie—who confront different levels of precarity. The narratives alternate and intersect, and they... Read Keesha's House Summary

King Hedley II

by August Wilson

Publication year 1985

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Masculinity, Race, Family, Community, Nation, Justice

Tags Drama, Historical Fiction, African American Literature, Race & Racism, American Literature, Dramatic Literature, Classic Fiction

August Wilson’s King Hedley II premiered in 1999 and opened on Broadway in 2001. It is the ninth installment in Wilson’s Pittsburgh Cycle (also known as the Century Cycle), a series of 10 plays that examine the experiences of Black Americans during the 20th century. It was nominated for multiple awards including a Tony and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Wilson won two Pulitzer Prizes for other Pittsburgh Cycle plays, Fences in 1987... Read King Hedley II Summary

Kiss the Girls

by James Patterson

Publication year 1995

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Perseverance, Fear, Guilt, Hate & Anger, Revenge, Gender Identity, Masculinity, Mental Health, Death, Appearance & Reality, Family, Teamwork, Social Class, Community, Politics & Government, Good & Evil, Justice, Safety & Danger

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Psychological Fiction

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Last Night at the Telegraph Club

by Malinda Lo

Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Self Discovery, Sexual Identity, Race, Gender Identity, Femininity, Masculinity, Love, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Hope, Equality, Truth & Lies, Loyalty & Betrayal, Family, Friendship

Tags Historical Fiction, LGBTQ+, Romance, Coming of Age, Love & Sexuality, Women`s Studies, Modern Classic Fiction, World History

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Later

by Stephen King

Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age, Masculinity, Memory, Self Discovery, Truth & Lies, Safety & Danger

Tags Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Religion & Spirituality

... Read Later Summary