Thursday, July 05, 2007

Booking Through Thursday: The Great American Novel

From Booking Through Thursday:

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:

--Deb said...

Good choice, although it's never been a book I loved....

Anonymous said...

Not unoriginal at all. Happy BTT!

Mei said...

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.

Mel said...

Twain is a fantastic writer, and taps very well into so many things of his era. Great choice.

Stephanie said...

When I think of "American" novels, Mark Twain always comes to mind. I actually liked Tom Sawyer better than Huck Finn though.

Happy Thursday!

Anonymous said...

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.

Kathleen said...

Ah yes I think I read that once as a kid.