Comments on: Francesca recommends books: Americana, part 2

By: Lucy

Lucy — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 12:07:20 +0000

This Canadian import appreciates the list of Americana to read. Though we did read American novels in school, we focussed mostly on British and Canadian authors. Perhaps one day Francesca might consider a truly wonderful list of Canadian fiction? Your neighbours to the North are much more than ice and igloos.

By: Julia

Julia — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 19:02:05 +0000

Fans of Edith Wharton’s books should look for a copy of her novella ‘Roman Fever’. (You can find the text online.) It boasts all the quiet, elegant backstabbing of her other novels, but there’s a gleefully bent ending.

By: marybennet

marybennet — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:24:54 +0000

_The Custom of the Country_ is one of the great novels undiscovered by people who would love it, and the Francesca deserved much credit for calling it to people’s attention. Wharton was herself a person who divorced, and she is complex on the issue. She’s also just a brilliant anthropologist of her social world.

By: Margo

Margo — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:54:03 +0000

More with the Steinbeck love - his Travels with Charley is (along with Henry Miller’s quite … different Colossus of Maroussi) my favourite travelogue. It’s given me great ideas for my US jaunt next year. (Now, I also want to go to a Saks).

By: bristlesage

bristlesage — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:26:32 +0000

John Steinbeck’s writing makes me very happy.

I am lately in love with the very American writing of Theodore Dreiser, whose Sister Carrie is available in its entirety here. (Entirely legal; it’s out from under copyright.) And I think An American Tragedy is an even finer book.

By: Neller

Neller — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:16:27 +0000

Ah…the Grapes of Wrath. While I did have to read it for a class in high school, that class was taught by a wonderful - WONDERFUL - teacher that managed to make the book come alive and make it relevant to our lives. I love that book on so many levels. It’s sitting on my shelf, waiting patiently to be re-read a number of times when I finally get a chance. Again, Francesca, you remind me of books I should revisits and propose a number of books to be added to The List (e.g., East of Eden). Thank you!

By: Plumcake

Plumcake — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:43:27 +0000

Fracesca speaks the truth. East of Eden is my favorite American novel. If you haven’t seen the James Dean version, you MUST go out and rent it. It only captures a sliver of the sweeping epic so won’t ruin the book for you.