Richard Wright wrote “Native Son,” a powerful novel about Bigger Thomas, a young Black man living in 1930s Chicago. Trapped in poverty and systemic racism, his life takes a harrowing turn after an accidental crime sets off a series of events that spiral out of control.
The story shows how society’s injustices shape his actions, making it both a tragedy and a reflection of larger social issues.
Saul Bellow wrote “The Adventures of Augie March,” a story about a young man growing up in Chicago during the Great Depression. Augie drifts through life, encountering colorful characters and chasing opportunities that take him in unexpected directions.
The book captures the energy of the city as Augie navigates family struggles, strange jobs, and fleeting romances, creating a vivid portrait of a restless and ambitious spirit.
“Chicago” by Alaa Al Aswany explores the lives of Egyptian immigrants and their intersecting stories in the city of Chicago. Set against the backdrop of a university campus, the novel addresses themes like identity, politics, and the clash between cultures.
Each character grapples with their personal struggles, including one professor haunted by his moral compromises, and another student caught between ambition and loyalty. The book paints a vivid picture of their challenges as they navigate life in a foreign land.
The book “Divergent” by Veronica Roth is set in a dystopian Chicago where society is divided into five factions, each based on a specific virtue. The story follows Tris Prior, who discovers she doesn’t fit neatly into any one faction.
This makes her “Divergent,” a dangerous label in this rigid world. As she chooses her faction and navigates intense challenges, she uncovers secrets that could threaten the entire city.
Sandra Cisneros wrote “The House on Mango Street,” a story about Esperanza Cordero, a young Latina girl growing up in a Chicago neighborhood.
Through a series of vignettes, the book explores her experiences with family, neighbors, and her dreams of building a life beyond the constraints of her community. Esperanza’s voice is heartfelt and full of yearning, making her journey memorable.
“The Jungle” by Upton Sinclair tells the story of Jurgis Rudkus, a Lithuanian immigrant who comes to Chicago with his family in search of a better life. They settle in the city’s meatpacking district, facing harsh working conditions, corruption, and poverty.
As Jurgis struggles to support his family, the novel exposes the brutal realities of industrial-era capitalism and its impact on workers.
The book “The Man with the Golden Arm” by Nelson Algren tells the story of Frankie Machine, a card dealer in post-war Chicago struggling with drug addiction and the harsh realities of his life.
Between his crumbling marriage and his battles with inner demons, Frankie tries to hold on to a sense of purpose. Set in Chicago’s gritty neighborhoods, the novel paints a vivid picture of people living on the edge, grappling with survival and hope.
The book “Allegiant” by Veronica Roth takes readers to a divided, futuristic Chicago where secrets about the city’s true purpose begin to surface. Tris and Tobias venture beyond its borders, uncovering shocking truths about their world and themselves.
The story shifts between their perspectives, offering insight into their struggles as they face danger and betrayal. It’s a tale of loyalty, love, and the search for freedom.
Mitch Glazer wrote “The Blues Brothers,” a novel based on the famous film of the same name. The story follows Jake and Elwood Blues, two brothers on a mission to save the Catholic orphanage they grew up in.
To do this, they try to reunite their old band and play enough gigs to raise the needed money, all while dodging law enforcement and others out to stop them. It’s a wild and chaotic journey filled with music, humor, and larger-than-life characters.
The novel “The Great Believers” by Rebecca Makkai takes readers into the lives of a group of friends during the AIDS crisis in 1980s Chicago and later links it to a modern-day narrative about one of the survivors.
It tells a story of love, loss, and friendship through the eyes of Yale Tishman, who is navigating both his personal relationships and his work in the art world.
Fiona, the sister of one of Yale’s closest friends, searches for her estranged daughter decades later, showing how the past ripples into the present.
The book “Indemnity Only” by Sara Paretsky introduces V.I. Warshawski, a private investigator working in Chicago. She takes on a case that starts with a missing person and quickly spirals into a dangerous web of murder and corruption.
The story pulls you into the gritty streets of the city, where every lead seems to uncover more secrets.
“Sister Carrie” by Theodore Dreiser tells the story of Caroline “Carrie” Meeber, a young woman who moves to Chicago in search of a better life. She starts off with humble beginnings but is drawn toward ambition and material success.
As she navigates city life, she falls into relationships that reflect her growing desires and changing circumstances. The book paints a vivid picture of Chicago’s urban landscape at the turn of the 20th century, showing both its allure and its harshness.
The book “The Spook Who Sat by the Door” by Sam Greenlee follows Dan Freeman, the first Black man hired by the CIA, who uses his training to organize a revolutionary movement in Chicago.
It highlights themes of systemic racism and rebellion, with sharp commentary on race and power. The story captures the atmosphere of the city, from its neighborhoods to its struggles, making Chicago almost feel like a character itself.
In “The Actual” by Saul Bellow, a man named Harry Trellman finds himself reflecting on his life, his love for a woman named Amy, and his ability to observe the world around him with sharp insight.
Set in Chicago, the story revolves around Harry’s interactions with a wealthy businessman who asks him to help with a personal matter tied to Amy. The novella highlights themes of love, memory, and self-awareness, all unfolding against the backdrop of the city.
The novel “Blacklist” by Sara Paretsky follows private investigator V.I. Warshawski as she stumbles across the body of a dead journalist while doing a favor for an elderly client.
Her search for the truth leads to a tangled mess of political corruption, buried secrets, and the lingering effects of racism in Chicago. The story digs into the city’s history and its powerful circles, while V.I. navigates danger and deception to uncover answers.
The book “Chasing Vermeer” by Blue Balliett follows two sixth-grade kids, Calder and Petra, who stumble across a mysterious art theft. Set in Chicago, the story leads them through puzzles, secret codes, and a search for a missing Vermeer painting.
Their curiosity pulls them into a world of hidden connections and unexpected twists, all tied to the art and the city’s settings.
Jim Butcher’s “The Dresden Files” follows Harry Dresden, a wizard working as a private investigator in Chicago. Harry takes on cases involving magical threats, supernatural creatures, and mysteries the police can’t handle.
With dark humor and plenty of action, the series mixes modern Chicago with a world filled with vampires, werewolves, and faeries. Harry often faces danger while trying to balance his principles and the rules of the magical world.
The novel “The Outsider” by Richard Wright follows a man named Cross Damon who seeks to escape his life and identity after a tragic accident offers him the chance to start over.
Set against the backdrop of Chicago, the story dives into themes like freedom, morality, and the weight of existential choices, as Cross embarks on a journey that pulls him into dangerous and life-altering situations.
“Then We Came to the End” by Joshua Ferris is a story about the lives of employees at a Chicago advertising agency during tough economic times.
The book captures the quirks, fears, and daily dynamics of office life, showing how these coworkers navigate layoffs and personal struggles. It’s told from the perspective of a collective “we,” giving a unique glimpse into group behavior and shared experiences.
Audrey Niffenegger’s “The Time Traveler’s Wife” follows the story of Henry, a man who involuntarily travels through time, and Clare, the woman who loves him despite the unpredictability of his life.
Set against the backdrop of Chicago, the novel explores their relationship as Henry’s time jumps pull him into moments across Clare’s life, often out of order.
From meeting Clare when she’s a child to experiencing their marriage and its challenges, the book highlights their unique bond and the struggles of navigating a life shaped by uncontrollable circumstances.
The book “The Blade Itself” by Marcus Sakey follows Danny Carter, a former criminal who has left behind his old life for a quieter future in Chicago. His past catches up with him when his ex-partner, fresh out of prison, shows up and pulls him into a dangerous situation.
Torn between his new life and loyalty to an old friend, Danny faces choices that test his limits. The story captures the tension and danger of a city where the past is never far behind.
The novel “Cast of Shadows” by Kevin Guilfoile tells the story of a grieving doctor who uses cloning technology to uncover the identity of his daughter’s murderer. Set against a gritty Chicago backdrop, the book explores the moral dilemmas that arise from such science.
The doctor creates a clone of the killer, raising questions about identity and fate, as the clone grows up unaware of its origins. This mix of crime, technology, and ethical challenges keeps the story moving through a world where personal and scientific boundaries blur.
Meyer Levin’s “Compulsion” is based on the real-life case of Leopold and Loeb, two wealthy Chicago students who plotted to commit the perfect crime. The story explores their privileged lives, their twisted plan to kidnap and kill a young boy, and the intense trial that followed.
Set in 1920s Chicago, the novel gives a detailed look at the city while unraveling the psychological dynamics between the two men. It’s a chilling look at crime, morality, and obsession.
The novel “The Fabulous Clipjoint” by Fredric Brown follows Ed Hunter, a young man from Chicago, as he teams up with his uncle Am to solve his father’s murder.
Together, they move through the city’s backstreets and shady bars, uncovering hidden truths about both the crime and their own family. The book captures a gritty and atmospheric view of post-war Chicago, with a mix of danger and unexpected humor.
Aleksandar Hemon’s “The Lazarus Project” weaves together two stories, one set in 1908 and the other in the present day. It begins with the murder of Lazarus Averbuch, a Jewish immigrant, by the Chicago chief of police.
Years later, a writer named Brik becomes obsessed with uncovering what really happened to Lazarus and embarks on a journey that takes him far beyond Chicago. The novel blends history and contemporary life, exploring identity and the immigrant experience.
“The Wright 3” by Blue Balliett follows two sixth-graders, Calder and Petra, as they attempt to save a historic Frank Lloyd Wright house in Chicago. Along the way, they uncover puzzles, hidden meanings, and secrets connected to the house.
The story combines mystery with architecture, offering readers a glimpse into art and design through the eyes of curious kids.
“Caramelo” by Sandra Cisneros follows Lala Reyes, a young girl from a Mexican-American family, as she uncovers her family’s past during a road trip to Mexico.
Through the stories of her grandparents, parents, and siblings, the novel explores heritage, identity, and the complexities of family relationships.
Lala’s fascination with a striped rebozo, or shawl, ties together moments that reveal hidden truths and memories spanning generations.
“Color Me Dark: The Diary of Nellie Lee Love, The Great Migration North” by Patricia McKissack tells the story of Nellie Lee Love, a young girl living in the South with her family in 1919.
When her family is forced to leave Tennessee and move to Chicago during the Great Migration, Nellie writes about the challenges they face, including racism and adjusting to a new life in the city.
Through her diary, she chronicles her family’s journey and her own hopes for a brighter future.
“The Deep End of the Ocean” by Jacquelyn Mitchard is about a family’s life after their three-year-old son, Ben, disappears during a high school reunion in Chicago. His mother, Beth, struggles to keep her family together while dealing with guilt and loss.
Years later, a chance encounter changes everything and forces them to confront the past.
“Generosity: An Enhancement” by Richard Powers explores the life of a creative writing professor who encounters a student with an unusually optimistic outlook on life. Her happiness seems almost unnatural, drawing the attention of scientists and the media.
As geneticists investigate the possibility of a “happiness gene,” the story examines how science and humanity collide in the pursuit of perfection.
“The Girl Who Owned a City” by O.T. Nelson is a story about survival in a world where a virus has wiped out all adults. The book follows Lisa, a determined twelve-year-old who takes charge of her younger brother and works to keep them safe.
She organizes other kids to form a community, defending their resources and building a stable life amid the chaos. It’s a unique look at how kids might adapt and take control when faced with a world without grown-ups.
Valerie Taylor wrote “The Girls in 3-B,” a story about three young women who move from a small town to Chicago in the 1950s. They share an apartment and face challenges as they try to navigate love, independence, and city life.
The book captures the excitement and struggles of leaving home and chasing dreams in a city full of possibilities.
“Headed for a Hearse” by Jonathan Latimer is a gritty crime novel set in Chicago during the 1930s. The story follows a man on death row, charged with murdering his wife, who only has seven days to prove his innocence.
He hires a wisecracking private detective named Bill Crane to uncover the truth. The tale is packed with twists, shady characters, and a vivid portrayal of Prohibition-era Chicago.
“The Lady in the Morgue” by Jonathan Latimer is a noir novel where private detective Bill Crane is sent to identify a body in a Chicago morgue. Things turn chaotic when the body vanishes, leading Crane into a gritty tangle of gangsters, seedy bars, and dangerous secrets.
The story moves fast, with sharp dialogue and unpredictable turns as Crane works to solve the mystery.
“Nowhere Man (The Pronek Fantasies)” by Aleksandar Hemon follows the life of Jozef Pronek, a Bosnian immigrant who ends up in Chicago. The book moves through episodes from Pronek’s past in Sarajevo, his time in Ukraine, and his attempts to find his place in America.
The story captures his struggles with identity, displacement, and the quirks of life as an outsider in a new city. Through Pronek’s perspective, the book paints a vivid picture of Chicago and the experiences of someone straddling different worlds.