American Novels

[Alyoshka]

I and a couple of friends are going to the States for the first time of our lives this summer for a road trip. Now I thought it was about time to start planning what I should read, both before going and while road tripping; therefore, I thought I should seek your advice!

What I want are those kind of novels that really define the United States of America. They could be old or new, long or short, but they must be the kind of book that never could've been written by a foreigner. I hope someone understands what I'm aiming at although I'm unable to explain myself very well here.

I'm really looking forward for your recommendations here!

[kelby_lake]

If you're road tripping, read On The Road.

[photogray]

If you go through the South, Kentucky, Mississippi, Alabama, etc pick up some William Faulkner. You can visit his home Rowan Oak in Oxford, MS if you are nearby.http://www.snagpic.com/users/img/2269/n09x0302vnsn/clear.gif

[PeterL]

If you go through New England, then the novels of Kenneth Roberts would fit the bill.

As a general matter there are no "novels that really define the United States of America," because the U.S.A. is not a unitary country; it is a federation of fifty sovereign states.

[LitNetIsGreat]

If you're road tripping, read On The Road.

Definitely.

[Pecksie]

Plainsong, by Kent Haruf --- about a small semi-rural community in the Midwest
Our lives in art, by Jennifer S. Davis --- great short stories set in the South
The Emperor's children, by Claire Messud --- about a group of sophisticated New York urbanites

[Scheherazade]

Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson

Cannery Row by Steinbeck

[Michael T]

If you're going to Hollywood...'The Day of the Locust' by Nathanael West.

[metal134]

Anything by William Faulkner or John Steinbeck.

[The Comedian]

Walden - by Henry Thoreau will tell you much of the best of the American spirit and describe the worst of us as well.

[sixsmith]

The adventures of Augie March - Saul Bellow

[Emil Miller]

Walden - by Henry Thoreau will tell you much of the best of the American spirit and describe the worst of us as well.

But don't try to find Thoreau's cabin. Apparently it is now buried under a six-lane highway.

[PoeticPassions]

I second the Steinbeck.

Or even some Dreiser or Fitzgerald. But I would also maybe read some Rick Moody (for more modern day and a look into suburbia) or perhaps Vonnegut, though maybe he would give a different picture of America and its culture.

[Alyoshka]

Thank you for all your recommendations! I will check out all of them and see what I end up with... I already have On The Road.

I guess I expected a reply like PeterL's, and I do understand that there are 50 sovereign states and all that, but there have to be something in common too, right? After all, it is the UNITED States of America. What unites? It would probably be a bit like looking at Europe as a whole, which is possible, but to find one or a few books that define Europe would be extremely difficult. I'll admit that. Then again, you have the language in common.

Anyway, PeterL's point taken, I will let you know where we're going. We will arrive in New York and stay there come days. Then we'll catch the road and head for Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Chicago. From there we haven't really planned much, but Miami is our final destination. And we will do plenty of detours. That's our main plan, but then again, you can't really plan them.

[PeterL]

But don't try to find Thoreau's cabin. Apparently it is now buried under a six-lane highway.

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

[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.