Edited by Nora O’donnell and Jennifer Wehunt with Mark Byrne, Laura Castle, Geoffrey Johnson, Graham Meyer, Evangeline Politis, and Steve Yaccino

THE LIST >>

The question grew out of an everyday bull session: What are the great Chicago novels? We asked a range of knowledgeable academics and literati and put together the results. It’s a collection of powerful writing that stands up against the best in American literature. Here, the list in order of publication
 

THE NEW SCHOOL >>

Chicago lit lives! Doom and gloom persist, but humor and nostalgia lighten the load in these five recent novels with a chance to become classics.

VOTE >>

The experts have spoken; now it’s your turn. Which book do you think best defines the city?