I recently read Thomas C. Foster's book How to Read Literature Like a Professor, and I have to say that I really enjoyed it. It was not the most in-depth thing that I have ever read, but he did provide some interesting insights into reading literature, and how to do so in a critical manner. He writes in a way that does not come off as a pretentious literature lover, but writes in a witty manner that is both entertaining and informative. I love a little sarcasm and wit sprinkled on top of my literary analysis.
So I saw that he had another book, 25 Books That Shaped America, and it immediately caught my attention. I have not had a chance to read through the whole thing yet, but I have started it and found that once again I am entertained and enlightened at the same time. Too bad I've never had a professor like this guy in real life.
So just to give a brief rundown on what made his list (which he points out are not the definitive best books in American history, but more of a list that had a great impact on our literary culture) these are the ones that he has picked:
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
The Last of the Mohicans
The Scarlet Letter
Walden
Moby Dick
Leaves of Grass
Little Women
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
A Boy's Will and North of Boston
My Antonia
The Great Gatsby
The Sun Also Rises
The Weary Blues
The Maltese Falcon
U.S.A
The Grapes of Wrath
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Go Down, Moses
The Adventures of Augie March
On the Road
The Cat in the Hat
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Crying of Lot 49
Song of Solomon
Love Medicine
While I may not like some of these titles I think that the list is entirely appropriate simply because each one of these books are truly American and are great representations for our society, especially The Cat in the Hat. I am really looking forward to finishing this book and seeing Foster's commentaries for his selections.
Of course my personal favorite of this list is The Grapes of Wrath.
Steinbeck > Faulkner
You can buy his books HERE
Its funny that The Sun Also Rises is on there when it is set entirely in Spain. Also, I'm going to play the devil's advocate here with steinbeck v faulkner. A Light in August was, I feel, a better book than any steinbeck I have read.
ReplyDeleteI love how most of the authors that people would consider to be the best American authors were part of the whole expatriate movement. As for your other comment I suppose it all depends on what Steinbeck you have read, and I will admit that I have not read A Light in August. Any other Faulkner that I have read or started to read has just been ridiculous, but I feel I have given him a fair chance. I personally think The Grapes of Wrath was the best "American" novel ever written.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite steinbeck was probably east of eden. If the sound and the fury is your primary exposure to faulkner than I would definately.suggest checking out light in august... And btw you are completely wrong, everyone knows the best american novel is the time it never rained by elmer kelton
ReplyDeleteI think that East of Eden was to The Grapes of Wrath what The Fountainhead was to Atlas Shrugged. It was a fantastic book, but it paled in comparison to what I consider to be his greatest work...and you got me on Kelton. Well played sir.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I am not basing my dislike for Faulkner just on The Sound and the Fury, but also, As I Lay Dying, A Rose for Emily, and Barn Burning. I just do not think he was nearly as talented as he was made out to be.
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