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Literary Fiction· United States

The Moviegoer

by Walker Percy
Aggregate Editorial Score41/100
TIME 100 Best Novels
Published 1961241 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

Published in 1961, The Moviegoer established Walker Percy as one of the defining voices in literary fiction. Binx Bolling, a New Orleans stockbroker, fills his empty life going to the movies and searching for something he calls 'the search'—an undefined spiritual quest—in Percy's National Book Award winner. The novel is a quietly profound meditation on modern alienation and the possibility of faith. Themes of alienation, spirituality, New Orleans run through the work. The book has received recognition from TIME 100 Best Novels 1961.

Book Details

AuthorWalker Percy
Published1961
Country of Origin🇺🇸 United States
LanguageEnglish
Pages241
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780375701962
Editorial Score41/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

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Country of Origin

🇺🇸 United States

This book is part of United States's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from United States →

Editorial Assessment

The Moviegoer by Walker Percy sits within the tradition of literary fiction that treats language as seriously as plot. Published in 1961 in United States, it engages with alienation, spirituality, New Orleans, movies in ways that have earned it lasting critical attention. Among its recognitions: TIME 100 Best Novels 1961. With an editorial score of 41/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys. What distinguishes The Moviegoer is how it handles its central concerns — alienation, spirituality, New Orleans, movies — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. Walker Percy's role in the literature of United States is well established. The Moviegoer can be read as both a standalone achievement and as part of a broader national literary conversation about identity, history, and the possibilities of narrative form.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

TIME 100 Best Novels
list · global
196121
✍️
About the Author
Walker Percy
United States
View Author →

Walker Percy is a celebrated author from United States known for influential works of literary fiction.

Designed to Feel
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Designed to Feel
Why Evolution Built Your Emotions, and How to Make Them Work for You
“The most eye-opening book on emotions I’ve ever read.”
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Moviegoer about?

Binx Bolling, a New Orleans stockbroker, fills his empty life going to the movies and searching for something he calls 'the search'—an undefined spiritual quest—in Percy's National Book Award winner. The novel is a quietly profound meditation on modern alienation and the possibility of faith.

Who wrote The Moviegoer?

The Moviegoer was written by Walker Percy, from United States. First published in 1961.

What awards has The Moviegoer won?

The Moviegoer has received the following awards and honours: TIME 100 Best Novels 1961.

Is The Moviegoer worth reading?

The Moviegoer is a book that has earned critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 21/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in alienation, spirituality, New Orleans.

Where can I buy The Moviegoer?

You can buy The Moviegoer on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Moviegoer?

The Moviegoer is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is The Moviegoer from?

The Moviegoer originates from United States's literary tradition. Explore more books from United States on our country page.

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