What, in your opinion, is the (mythical) Great American Novel? At least to date. A “classic,” or a current one–either would be fine. Mark Twain? J.D. Salinger? F. Scott Fitzgerald? Stephen King? Laura Ingalls Wilder?
It doesn’t have to be your favorite book, mind you. “Citizen Kane” may be the “best” film, and I concede its merits, but it’s not my favorite. You don’t have to love something to know that it’s good.
I'll be stupendously unoriginal and go with Huckleberry Finn. It's not my favorite novel (I'd have to go to Dickens for that), but as many others have pointed out, there's something archtypically American about Huck's longing to "light out for the Territory." And the writing itself is fresh and humorous, unlike the mannered, self-consciously "literary" style that characterizes so many "serious" novels today.
7 comments:
Good choice, although it's never been a book I loved....
Not unoriginal at all. Happy BTT!
While I liked it, I really did like Tom Sawyer more. I've taught it before, and I think that might have taken the joy out of it; I should try it again outside the classroom.
Twain is a fantastic writer, and taps very well into so many things of his era. Great choice.
When I think of "American" novels, Mark Twain always comes to mind. I actually liked Tom Sawyer better than Huck Finn though.
Happy Thursday!
I think I'd say the same -- it has to be Mark Twain but I find Huckleberry Finn hard to read, while I enjoy Tom Sawyer.
Ah yes I think I read that once as a kid.
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