American Novels

[Emil Miller]

There isn't a six lane highway there, but Walden Pond is not rural anymore.

Sorry. I was just quoting a magazine article from memory.

[PeterL]

Sorry. I was just quoting a magazine article from memory.

I haven't been by there in a few years, but Rte 2 runs nearby, which might what the writer was referring to. It wasn't six lanes when I was last there, but they may have widened it. The cabin site is a few hundred feet from the road.

[kelby_lake]

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas?

[tonywalt]

Catcher in the Rye is quintessentially American, albeit circa 1950. Also, The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen(although, I'm not a fan of his it is American as you can get)

[DATo]

Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn could not have been written by anyone but an American, and one who had lived in the times in which the books were written. I think all of Twain's writing is quintessentially as American as you can get without having your name signed at the bottom of the American Constitution.

[hannah_arendt]

What about "Great Gatsby"?

[bouquin]

When in New York read The New York Trilogy by Paul Auster.

When in Louisiana read A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole.

When in Georgia read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt.

[Vota]

I would consider John Steinbeck. Perhaps his two best known novels, The Grapes of Wrath or East of Eden.

[PeterL]

What I want are those kind of novels that really define the United States of America.

There are none; although many say a loot about particular parts, times, or whatever.

If there are particular times and/or places that you want to know well, then please state those.

Or you could simply read Arundel and Rabble In Arms both by Kenneth Roberts.

[PeterL]

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas?

Good possibility.

[Whosis]

Here are the books I know of about United States travel:

Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck
On the Road by Jack Kerouac
Blue Highways by William Least Heat-Moon
Cross Country by Robert Sullivan (not as well known)

I would also highly recommend my novel:

Eighteen In Cross-country Odyssey by Benjamin Anderson

This book is especially unique because I'm the only person I know of to tour the United States at the age of eighteen and write about it, which I accomplished in 2003--probably the most recent book. I'm having trouble finding the years Sullivan traveled, which would also be recent. His novel I would recommend the least; he tends not to focus on his trip as it's happening. It may be because little happened in his travels, something I can guarantee is not true in my book! I think it may be helpful in learning how to travel, where you can travel, and what can happen. If you're going with your friends, you may find it easier. I traveled alone. Anyway, if you like, you can find my book on amazon.com.

I'd be glad to hear what you think of whatever books you choose to read. I had to read Travels With Charley in high school, but I've always been looking for more novels on the topic myself. Can you tell us what country you'll be visiting from? The U.S. is the fourth biggest in size in countries of the world, and I believe it's still the third most populous. If you have any questions you want to ask me, don't hesitate to ask here or send a private message my way. (I was lucky an uncle had undertaken this journey before my travels. I was able to ask him about it.)

I would also recommend The Grapes of Wrath by Steinbeck for its journey from Oklahoma to California that reveals the American spirit. The Great Gatsby reveals the spirit of New York in the 20s. If you plan on going there, you may want to read that short novel. It's Long Island, not New York City anyway though.

NOTE: I guess I didn't check to see how old this post was! And I'm guessing you're from Norway. I've heard touring Europe is nice. Have you ever done that? Anyway, how did you trip go?

[ennison]

I wonder what happened? I wonder what he read? I wonder if he survived?

[kev67]

I suppose the road trip was 10 years ago, but I wouldn't recommend either On the Road or In Cold Blood. Jack Kerouak and his friends weren't actually murderous, but I wouldn't want to share a highway with them. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: it's a bit boring, but at least they're reasonably responsible.