Don't let anyone talk you into reading this book. It is truly awful. Anyone who tells you there is some deeper meaning to this book is full of blasphemy. I should know. I wrote a 500-word essay on this book for Honors English and it got an A, and it was nothing but a tissue of random guesses on what the author was trying to say. I don't think anybody knows what the meaning of this book is. They just want to act like they can see something in it that you don't. Just ignore them and read smomething interesting! The Heart is a Lonely Hunter is written in a snobby tone that makes you think you are stupid for not understanding it, but it means NOTHING! This book is nothing but a bunch of random, boring scenes in a bunch of random, boring people's lives. Avoid it at all costs!