Books (partly) written in American dialects/vernacular?

[Propter W.]

Hello,

I'm looking for books written in American vernacular or dialects. I'm particularly interested in African American Vernacular English ("Ebonics").

Two examples that I can think of:

Huck Finn - Mark Twain
As I Lay Dying - Faulkner

Can you help me?

Thanks,

Propter.

[MarkBastable]

There's an argument to be put that all American novels are written in the American vernacular.

[Madame X]

Yeah, case in point: I have a French version of American Psycho (don’t ask) which clearly states “Translated from the American by…”.

Anyway, since you’re specifically looking for AAVE then perhaps Uncle Tom’s Cabin, or The Color Purple might be more to the point.

[MANICHAEAN]

Try the writings of:
1. Donald Goines who produced 16 novels in a five year period before he was gunned down at his typewriter in Michigan in 1974 in his mid 30's. His main production was "The Story of a Ghetto Pimp"
2. Iceberg Slim (born Robert Beck) who published 7 books. Suggested read; "Mama Black Widow", the story of a gay transvestite.
3. Chester Himes.
4. Ishmael Reed.

They are all loosely classified under different names: rogue literature, black pulp fiction, ghetto literature, underground, post prison and other not-so-polite names. Comprised mainly of tales of the urban underground and the world of larger-than-life hustlers who lived - and often died - by their wits.

[kelby_lake]

Eugene O'Neill's plays have lots of vernacular in.

[Whifflingpin]

Damon Runyon's writings.

[OrphanPip]

Any of the major figures of the Harlem Renaissance would probably do, but I'm only really somewhat familiar with Langston Hughes, and even then mostly his work as a poet.

http://www.tnellen.com/cybereng/matoson.html

[breathtest]

Cormac Mccarthy's novels have a lot of dialogue where the characters are southern and he writes that accent extremely well

[Dark Muse]

Beloved by Toni Morrison
Thier Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

It has been a while sense I read it, but I believe that Richard Wright's "Native Son" uses some vernacular.

Also Stephen Crane uses vernacular in his stories.

[Propter W.]

Thanks everyone! Your suggestions are very much appreciated.

[bohn]

delete