Books that plumb workplace issues

Novels and plays can teach us a lot about the human experience ñ especially workplace issues. The following is a short list of titles often used in literature discussions by various professional groups (see story).

"The Birth Mark," by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Parable of hubris and power

"A Man for All Seasons," by Robert Bolt

Dilemmas of moral principles and human freedom

"Good Will," by Jane Smiley

Contemporary exploration of ethics and the bottom line

"The Outstation," by W. Somerset Maugham

Issues of cultural diversity and interpersonal skills

"American Horse," by Louise Erdrich

Challenges of racial, ethnic, and class barriers

"Justice: An Ethiopian Tale," by Wolf Leslau

Study in misperceptions and disparate points of view

"The Guest," by Albert Camus

A look at moral beliefs versus dictates of the state

"The Death of Ivan Ilyich," by Leo Tolstoy

Exploration of the meaning of life