Book cover of A Cool Million

Book description

Nathanael West was only thirty-seven when he died in 1940, but his depictions of the sometimes comic, sometimes horrifying aspects of the American scene rival those of William Faulkner and Flannery O'Connor. ‘A Cool Million’, written in 1934, is a satiric Horatio Alger story set in the midst of the…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked A Cool Million as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

A library is a treasure trove, in other words, a place where unknown gems of unestimated value can be discovered. The Los Angeles Central Library is one of the great treasure troves of the library world. If you start at “A” in the Fiction Department and keep going long enough, you might get to “W” and discover A Cool Million. Nathanael West died too young, he only wrote four slim novels. But fortunately, his absurdist satire about the ultimate schlemiel, who finds himself besieged and beset by every species of political shark, was one of them.

I miss that…

If you love A Cool Million...

Ad

Book cover of The High House

The High House by James Stoddard,

The Victorian mansion, Evenmere, is the mechanism that runs the universe.

The lamps must be lit, or the stars die. The clocks must be wound, or Time ceases. The Balance between Order and Chaos must be preserved, or Existence crumbles.

Appointed the Steward of Evenmere, Carter Anderson must learn the…

Want books like A Cool Million?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 38 books like A Cool Million.

Browse books like A Cool Million

Book cover of Little Big Man
Book cover of A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court
Book cover of A Tale of Two Cities

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,210

readers submitted
so far, will you?

Ad

📚 If you like A Cool Million, you might also like...

Book cover of Aggressor

Aggressor by FX Holden,

It is April 1st, 2038. Day 60 of China's blockade of the rebel island of Taiwan.

The US government has agreed to provide Taiwan with a weapons system so advanced that it can disrupt the balance of power in the region. But what pilot would be crazy enough to run…

Book cover of The Duke's Christmas Redemption

The Duke's Christmas Redemption by Arietta Richmond,

A Duke who has rejected love, a Lady who dreams of a love match, an arranged marriage, a house full of secrets, a most unneighborly neighbor, a plot to destroy reputations, an unexpected love that redeems it all.

Lady Charlotte Wyndham, given in an arranged marriage to a man she…

5 book lists we think you will like!