Last time I wrote about what the Great American Novel is, where it came from and whether it was still needed or even possible.
Everyone, including me, has their own definition of the Great American Novel. But at its heart, the idea is simple: a book that captures the spirit, contradictions, and complexity of America.
An important qualifying factor is that it is not only about literary brilliance. It’s more than that. It’s about resonance. The novels below reflect the American psyche, telling us who we are, who we were, and sometimes who we want to be.