What is THE American novel?

[Tsuyoiko]

I couldn't pick one, as I think several books are equally important for depicting different aspects of American society. But my list would include Huckleberry Finn, The Great Gatsby, On the Road, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Colour Purple.

Although not novels, I would want to mention Walden and In Cold Blood as two great American books. However, I know In Cold Blood is arguably a novel.

Also, a novel I would like to include, that maybe doesn't appear often on such a list, is Fahrenheit 451. Although it doesn't depict an actual America, I think it depicts an important aspect of an American mindset.

[kelby_lake]

Good point. Novels are all linked indellibly to an author's time and place. You know I would consider Brideshead the great British novel. (Among other of course.)

So would I, and you have just inspired a new thread. x

[kelby_lake]

How important do you think masculinity is in American Literature?

[Kennedy S.]

The Catcher In The Rye, Huck Finn or The Great Gatsby

in my humble opinion

Took me a couple of reads to truly appreciate The Catcher In The Rye. I feel it sums up Americans best. Spoiled whiny/angsty/scared teenagers.

[Ecurb]

How important do you think masculinity is in American Literature?

It was important to Hemmingway, but not to Truman Capote.

[Patrick_Bateman]

Some Americans would say The Bible is THE American book


They actually would

[Rores28]

I couldn't pick one, as I think several books are equally important for depicting different aspects of American society. But my list would include Huckleberry Finn, The Great Gatsby, On the Road, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Colour Purple.

Huck Finn and To Kill a Mockingbird I think are too narrow to be called THE American Novel and On the Road I don't think is of sufficient quality. The Great Gatsby seems to me the most appropriate choice. F451 is an interesting choice thematically I think it is very appropriate but when actually comparing the quality of the prose to something like the Great Gatsby I think it falls woefully short. I'm kicking around the idea of whether or not I might consider Blood Meridian to be THE American Novel.

[mortalterror]

Moby Dick, The Great Gatsby, or Huckleberry Finn

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

.
The Grapes of Wrath
The Great Gatsby
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn



.

[PeterL]

Naked Lunch

[The Comedian]

My Antonia -- it directly deals with immigrant experiences, with the idea of an "open" land, with gender, with the function of stories in culture. . . .I could go on.

[Jassy Melson]

Look Homeward Angel is the great American novel

[laymonite]

I propose that we start a new thread for each decade of American literary publications: "What do you think is THE American novel of the ____s?"

:-)

[Rores28]

.
The Grapes of Wrath
The Great Gatsby
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

.

Grapes of Wrath is a good nomination too...

[Ecurb]

There's always "The Great American Novel" by Phillip Roth. It begins with a long discussion between Earnest Hemmingway and the (fictional) sports reporter writing the novel on this very subject, in which Hemmingway trashes all the potential contenders.

By the way, for any baseball fans who have not read "The Great American Novel", it's highly recommended (although it probably isn't the ONE).