You’d be surprised to learn that these famous authors wrote only one novel!
There exists a group of authors who have written just one book in their entire lives and careers and are yet household names and bestselling literary figures. Almost all the books in this list are classics that we’re sure you’ve heard of at least once. Why it is that they’ve written just the singular masterpiece. Maybe their lives were cut short too soon or they were forbidden from writing anymore or the creative spark did not strike again? Who are these iconic authors who wrote just one book and why? Read on to find out…
By Harper Lee
Set in the racially charged South of 1930s America, the story is narrated by Scout Finch, who recounts her childhood experiences with her brother Jem and their father, Atticus Finch. Atticus, a principled lawyer, defends Tom Robinson, a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman. Through this trial, Scout learns about the pervasive racism and moral complexities in her town.
Author Harper Lee was averse to the public eye and any scrutiny. Though she published a book in 2015 which was marketed as a sequel, it was found to be the first draft of To Kill a Mockingbird, thus making her only a one-time hit.
By Emily Brontë
A dark, intense tale of passion and revenge, the novel revolves around the doomed love between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw. Raised together at Wuthering Heights, their bond becomes tumultuous when Catherine marries Edgar Linton for social status. Heathcliff’s subsequent vengeful actions lead to devastating consequences for both families.
However, unfortunately, Emily Brontë died in 1848 of tuberculosis, just one year after writing her magnum opus. In fact, all the Bronte sisters faced untimely deaths.
By Oscar Wilde
Dorian Gray, a handsome young man, becomes infatuated with his own beauty after having his portrait painted by Basil Hallward. Under the influence of the hedonistic Lord Henry Wotton, Dorian wishes that he could remain young while the portrait ages. His wish comes true, leading him down a path of moral corruption and decadence. The portrait reflects his growing depravity, ultimately culminating in tragedy.
Although Wilde wrote many short stories, poems and plays, this was his only novel. He also faced charges due to themes of sodomy and gross indecency in 1895.
By Sylvia Plath
This semi-autobiographical novel follows Esther Greenwood, a talented and ambitious young woman who wins an internship at a prestigious magazine in New York City. Despite her apparent success, Esther struggles with feelings of inadequacy and depression. As her mental health deteriorates, she finds herself increasingly alienated and disconnected from those around her.
Plath, the writer of several poems and hailed as one of America’s greatest poets, could not write more because she committed suicide a month after the publication of the book. While she began work on a second project, it was left incomplete.
By Anna Sewell
Told from the perspective of a horse, Black Beauty recounts his experiences from his idyllic early life on a farm to his years of hardship and mistreatment under various owners. Throughout his journey, Beauty encounters both cruelty and kindness, highlighting the importance of compassion and humane treatment of animals. Sewell’s novel, aimed at promoting animal welfare, addresses themes of empathy, kindness, and the moral responsibilities humans have towards animals.
The novel was published when Sewell was 58 years old. Not a lot is known about her career or personal life before then. Sadly, Sewell died only five months after Black Beauty’s publication.
The novel follows Holden Caulfield, a disaffected teenager who has been expelled from several prep schools. Over a few days in New York City, Holden grapples with feelings of alienation, grief over his brother’s death, and his fear of growing up. His encounters with friends, family, and strangers reveal his deep sense of cynicism and yearning for genuine human connection.
Salinger became a recluse and never wrote another novel again, although he published a few short stories and novellas in 1961, a decade after The Catcher in the Rye was published.
Set shortly after World War II, the novel is written as a series of letters between Juliet Ashton, an author, and the residents of Guernsey, an island in the English Channel. Juliet learns about the islanders’ experiences during the German occupation and their formation of a book club to cope with the hardships. As she becomes more involved with the community, Juliet discovers stories of resilience, love, and friendship, ultimately finding inspiration for her next book and a new sense of belonging.
Shafer was not a full-time author and worked as an editor, librarian, and in bookstores before writing this novel. She also became ill later on, hence her niece who helped her has also been credited as a co-author.
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