396. U.S.A.

U.S.A.
John Dos Passos
1938
Around 1300 pages

 

You are not going to hear me composing an ode about my country as of late, but I knew a book called U.S.A. wouldn't be patriotic. We Americans just love writing about the death of our stupid dreams. My home city Pittsburgh got a shout out, as being a particularly miserable place to live. Represent!

This one is a doozy, as it is actually a series composed of three novels. The main narrative is interspersed with newspaper clippings, autobiographical streams of consciousness, and song lyrics. It's...a lot. Although it is interesting to see how much cinema is starting to influence literature. I've been in the 1800s for roughly ten years, so this is a big deal to me.

As for the main story, I wasn't too intrigued by the characters who were struggling to survive in a ruthlessly capitalist society. Still, Dos Passos is critical of the Communist Party as well, so it comes across as less preachy than some of the other propaganda we've seen here. 

The concept of making a novel into a collage seems like the sort of thing they would make you do in an undergrad writing class. This one drags.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

Neil Peart of Rush was inspired by U.S.A. to write the lyrics for the song "The Camera Eye."

UP NEXT: Brighton Rock by Graham Greene

305. Manhattan Transfer

Manhattan Transfer
John Dos Passos
1925
Around 340 pages

Some novels are forever stained by the memories associated with the reading experience. This was my waiting room book as my father underwent open heart surgery. So I was never going to be hanging on every word.

That being said, this was probably not going to be my cup of tea anyway. The story follows many characters in New York, with a wide range of subplots. This certainly immerses you in the chaotic feeling of New York City. But it's a little hard to follow all the characters, who are, predictably, not a happy bunch.

Once again, we have an author playing with the form of the novel itself. And I don't like it! I really want to sink my teeth into a story, and I didn't really enjoy the flashes of misery I saw bouncing from character to character. 

Anyway, another author trying to be James Joyce. Skippable.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

D. H. Lawrence called it "the best modern book about New York."

Inspired the name of the vocal group Manhattan Transfer.

UP NEXT: The Making of the Americans by Gertrude Stein. I've really been dreading this one.