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Overview

The Day of the Locust, published in 1939 by American author Nathanael West, is a novel that explores the dark underbelly of Hollywood through the eyes of its protagonist, Tod Hackett. The novel follows Hackett, a disillusioned artist, as he encounters eccentric characters and witnesses the decay of dreams in the entertainment industry. West’s narrative explores the disintegration of the American Dream, blending surrealism and biting satire to paint a vivid portrait of the desperation and disillusionment prevalent in 1930s Los Angeles. The Day of the Locust was adapted into a film directed by John Schlesinger in 1975. 

Explore a plot summary, an in-depth analysis of Tod Hackett, and important quotes.

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