Sillitoe, Alan: 1928 - 2010

The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner, 1959 - Thematic Parallels: Rebellion

Sillitoe, Alan: The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner, 1959
The central topic is about a young working-class man's internal resistance to authority, told through the metaphor of running.
The following books are thematically simliar. Having read "The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner," the following texts lend themselves well to being read in groups, compared with one another, or used to teach a similar topic over an extended period with a class:
- Ellis, Bret Easton: Less Than Zero, 1985, ~200pp
  The novel focuses on disaffected youth, alienation, and the emptiness of affluent society, echoing similar feelings of isolation and rebellion against social expectations.
  Both novels share key thematic similarities, particularly in their exploration of alienation, rebellion against authority, and the search for identity in a society marked by class division and moral ambiguity.
- Lawrence, D.H. Lawrence: The Virgin and the Gypsy, 1930, ~90pp
  This novel centers on a young woman’s emotional and social isolation within a repressive environment, and her rebellious search for personal freedom.
  Both protagonists resist societal expectations and the institutions that try to control their lives—Yvette through emotional awakening and Smith through conscious defiance. Both works critique the class system—Lawrence from the inside out (through Yvette's conflict), and Sillitoe from the bottom up (through Smith’s anger and insight).
- Paton, Alan: Cry, the Beloved Country, 1948, ~250pp
  This novel centers on social injustice and personal struggle within a rigid society, focusing on the challenges faced by marginalized individuals—a thematic parallel to Smith’s working-class defiance and feelings of societal exclusion.
  Both works share a deep concern with social justice, moral awakening, and the human cost of structural inequality. Each protagonist confronts a society that has failed them—and finds a path, however painful or rebellious, toward personal integrity. Both characters push back against corrupt or failing systems, though in very different ways—Kumalo through moral resolve, Smith through rebellious individualism.
- Walker, Alice: Meridian, 1976, ~200pp
  Though centered on the American civil rights movement, this novel also addresses issues of class, individual vs. society, and the personal costs of resistance and nonconformity. The protagonist’s journey is one of personal and political rebellion, with a strong sense of loneliness and sacrifice.
  Both protagonists resist systems designed to control them—Meridian against racism and patriarchy, Smith against class oppression and institutional authority. Both works share powerful themes of resistance, isolation, individual conscience, and the struggle against oppressive systems. Their protagonists choose subtle but firm forms of protest, asserting their identities in ways that defy expectations—quietly, but with lasting impact.
List of general discussion questions on Rebellion (pdf)
List of essay prompts on Rebellion (pdf)