O'Connor's novel Wise Blood, published in 1952, explores religious themes, a common element in her work. The story centers on Hazel Motes, a man preoccupied with Jesus in a manner similar to the Misfit. Hazel becomes the preacher for the Church Without Christ. Much like "A Good Man Is Hard to Find," Wise Blood illustrates O'Connor's perspective on the fate of individuals who attempt to live without any spiritual presence.

No. 44, The Mysterious Stranger by Mark Twain addresses religion with a humorous twist.

A Curtain of Green is a collection of stories by Southern writer Eudora Welty. Known as a "Southern Gothic" writer, Welty's fiction frequently tackles grim themes.

Carson McCullers has significantly shaped Southern fiction. Her novels A Member of the Wedding, The Ballad of the Sad Cafe, and The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter are among her most acclaimed works.