Best Collection Of 83+ Gorgeous Kitchen Sink Realism Novels Most Outstanding In 2023

The term "angry young men" refers to a group of British writers who emerged in the 1950s and 1960s, whose works were characterized by a sense of social and political disillusionment. These writers were often from working-class backgrounds and wrote about the struggles of everyday life in post-war Britain. Some of the most notable works of kitchen sink realism come from this group of writers, including Look Back in Anger by John Osborne and Saturday Night and Sunday Morning by Alan Sillitoe.

Alan Sillitoe's Saturday Night and Sunday Morning is a raw and gritty portrayal of a working-class man named Arthur Seaton. The novel follows Arthur as he navigates his mundane factory job, his loveless marriage, and his desire for a more exciting life. Sillitoe's writing is sharp and unflinching, and he paints a vivid picture of the struggles and frustrations of working-class life in post-war Britain.

Shelagh Delaney's A Taste of Honey is a groundbreaking play that explores issues of race, class, and sexuality. Set in Manchester, the play tells the story of a teenage girl named Jo who becomes pregnant and must navigate her relationships with her absent mother, her new stepfather, and her black boyfriend. Delaney's writing is raw and emotional, and she tackles taboo subjects with unapologetic honesty.

Alan Sillitoe's The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner is another classic example of kitchen sink realism. The novel follows a young delinquent named Colin Smith who is sent to a juvenile detention center for robbing a bakery. While there, he discovers a talent for long-distance running, but struggles with the conflicting expectations of his working-class background and the middle-class values of his probation officer.

Stan Barstow's A Kind of Loving is a poignant and bittersweet novel about a young couple named Vic and Ingrid who get married after an unplanned pregnancy. The novel follows their struggles to adjust to married life and the pressures of societal expectations. Barstow's writing is insightful and honest, and he captures the complexities of relationships and the societal pressures of the time.

Lynne Reid Banks' The L-Shaped Room tells the story of Jane, a young unmarried woman who becomes pregnant and is forced to live in a run-down boarding house in London. The novel explores themes of class, gender, and race as Jane forms unlikely friendships with the other inhabitants of the boarding house. Banks' writing is thought-provoking and emotional, and she challenges societal norms and expectations throughout the novel.

John Braine's Room at the Top is a powerful novel about a young man named Joe Lampton who moves to a small town and climbs the social ladder through his relationships with two women. Braine's writing is sharp and incisive, and he exposes the hypocrisy and shallowness of the upper-class society that Joe aspires to be a part of.

John Osborne's Look Back in Anger is considered one of the most influential works of kitchen sink realism. The play follows a young man named Jimmy Porter, a working-class man who is frustrated with the status quo and expresses his anger and disillusionment through his relationships with his wife Alison and friend Cliff. Osborne's writing is witty and biting, and he captures the frustrations and disillusionment of the post-war generation.

The 1961 novel The Leather Boys by Gillian Freeman is a groundbreaking work in its exploration of homosexuality in working-class society. The novel follows two young men, Reggie and Pete, as they navigate their relationship and the societal pressures and expectations placed upon them. Freeman's writing is honest and compassionate, and she challenges societal norms and prejudices in her portrayal of these characters.

David Storey's This Sporting Life is a powerful and emotional novel about a young rugby player named Arthur Machin. Set in a working-class town in Yorkshire, the novel explores themes of class, masculinity, and ambition as Arthur struggles to balance his personal life with his pursuit of success in the sport. Storey's writing is raw and powerful, and he captures the physical and emotional toll of working-class life and the pursuit of success.