English A Level coursework - book recommendations please!

[vic_bromiley]

Hello everyone! I am in Year 12 and just about to start the coursework section of my English A Level.

The book that my class have been given is The Great Gatsby (!!) by F Scott Fitzgerald, however we have to (individually) pick a second book which we study independently and then compare to Gatsby.

I was just wondering if anyone has any book suggestions?

I am looking for a book which has similar themes to Gatsby eg. American Dream, role of women in society, illusion vs reality, 1920s America etc. However I also want the book to have an obvious contrast to Gatsby (so I can write about differences as well as similarities).

There are a few books that I have been considering: Beautiful and Damned (F Scott Fitzgerald), Rules of Civility (Amor Towles) and The Age of Innocence (Edith Wharton).

If you have any recommendations please let me know!
Thanks a lot x

[bounty]

boy vic---when you said "American dream" the first thing that popped into my head was death of a salesman by Arthur miller. it might not fit all of the criteria you are looking for, but its good for a few and it seems to provide a nice compare/contrast with Gatsby.

[vic_bromiley]

How funny, someone suggested that book to me the other day! I'm not a huge fan of Miller but will definitely research Death of a Salesman and see what I think! Thank you for replying x

[bounty]

well vic if the next 6 people who stop in recommend that same book, maybe we've got a winner!

am surprised more folks haven't dropped in with suggestions...