The Day of the Locust Author:Nathaniel West When first published, in 1939, The Day of the Locust was attacked as having been written with the deliberate intent of inducing profound and purposeless shock in its readers. But time and the growing belief that not every facet of American life is immune to examination have changed its reputation. It is now recognized as not only the finest no... more »vel to come out of Hollywood, but one of the best of all modern American novels. Its theme and parable are universal, its satire scorching, its humanity immense -- a brilliant, scathing, altogether unforgettable book.« less