That list felt weeeeird. Chaos is very American. We have so many experiences across so many identities, cultures, ethnicities. Even though I was born here, I don't feel fully American because my father's side immigrated here. Ni aquí, ni allá (neither here nor there) is a common feeling amongst first and second generation born Americans whose ancestral line is in Mexico. I very much agree with James Baldwin and Toni Morrison being on there multiple times.
Excited to see what you have planned for the newsletter! I love everything you write! ❤️🔥
Yes! Middlesex is a must! My adds: A Fan’s Notes by Frederick Exley—beautifully heartbreaking and funny, truly unforgettable; Trout Fishing in America by Richard Brautigan—can’t get more strange or American than Brautigan; Confederacy of Dunes by John Kennedy Toole—funny, funny, funny and set in New Orleans, another only in America thang; The Sot-Weed Factor by John Barth—best American historical novel; So Long, See You Tomorrow by William Maxwell—a beautiful, unforgettable masterpiece in 135 pages by the New Yorker fiction editor with the magic touch.
Actually, I’m probably glad I can’t see their list. If I add anything else to my TBR pile (actual shelf or Kindle), I should rightly be convicted of excess and gluttony. Was Americanah on that list? Because it better have been, is all I can say.
I feel, as the Italians say, stunad here, but I don’t get Ghostie. Is this just a new mascot, an occasional ghost writer, both, neither? Please explain. Also, whatever you’re changing, I’m reading. Don’t tell the others, but yours is the newsletter I always always open (except maybe on the rare occasion when I haven’t opened my Substack inbox in days and I accidentally miss it).
I’ve read or attempted 33 and there are also many on this list I’ve never heard of and others I’ve always meant to read but there are always so many newer books calling me to stay current. I agree Middlesex should have been on there. I will have to think of what else I would add. I am not one for the big lists that purport to be the primary or last word on what holds up. But I have been wanting to start a project of creating my own personal canon list, including a meaningful book for every year I’ve been alive, to keep adding to as a way to say to anyone who cares “hey, these are the books that shaped me. Which might also be yours?”
Love you taking the plunge for doing a newsletter reshuffle! Also love the new ghost icon - adorable. 'Middlesex' and 'Sex and Rage' have been on my tbr forever!! I must read. I read 'The Power of the Dog' coming up to two years ago and I didn't love it a great deal? I have always wondered if I should watch the Netflix adaptation.
I've been thinking a lot about what I think a 'American' novel is as someone who is absolutely not American. No patriotism to skew the thoughts here. From my perspective, I think American novels are novels that explore Race (we've got racism everywhere but it is very specific in America, with very specific roots) Immigration/ Great American Dream seeking and I think Religion in a lot of ways plays such an enormous part (from what i can see) in American culture (religion in the UK for example just does not feel the same at all. I don't know anyone religious. Maybe the internet skews my perception but it feels like a lot of people actively believe and take part in religion in USA) and then I guess freedom of speech is HUGE over there? I've run out of visits to the Atlantic site now due to the amount of times I analysed the list! :(
It also made me consider what I'd want to see on a Great UK Novel list!
Welcome, Ghostie! He's adorable.
That list felt weeeeird. Chaos is very American. We have so many experiences across so many identities, cultures, ethnicities. Even though I was born here, I don't feel fully American because my father's side immigrated here. Ni aquí, ni allá (neither here nor there) is a common feeling amongst first and second generation born Americans whose ancestral line is in Mexico. I very much agree with James Baldwin and Toni Morrison being on there multiple times.
Excited to see what you have planned for the newsletter! I love everything you write! ❤️🔥
Yes! Middlesex is a must! My adds: A Fan’s Notes by Frederick Exley—beautifully heartbreaking and funny, truly unforgettable; Trout Fishing in America by Richard Brautigan—can’t get more strange or American than Brautigan; Confederacy of Dunes by John Kennedy Toole—funny, funny, funny and set in New Orleans, another only in America thang; The Sot-Weed Factor by John Barth—best American historical novel; So Long, See You Tomorrow by William Maxwell—a beautiful, unforgettable masterpiece in 135 pages by the New Yorker fiction editor with the magic touch.
As a fellow chaos consort, I can confirm nothing is more American than being completely chaotic.
Damn paywall! *shakes fist*
Actually, I’m probably glad I can’t see their list. If I add anything else to my TBR pile (actual shelf or Kindle), I should rightly be convicted of excess and gluttony. Was Americanah on that list? Because it better have been, is all I can say.
I feel, as the Italians say, stunad here, but I don’t get Ghostie. Is this just a new mascot, an occasional ghost writer, both, neither? Please explain. Also, whatever you’re changing, I’m reading. Don’t tell the others, but yours is the newsletter I always always open (except maybe on the rare occasion when I haven’t opened my Substack inbox in days and I accidentally miss it).
I felt the same way about The Idiot! It wasn't my cup of tea. Love your take on dun dun dun the LIST!!
xx
I’ve read or attempted 33 and there are also many on this list I’ve never heard of and others I’ve always meant to read but there are always so many newer books calling me to stay current. I agree Middlesex should have been on there. I will have to think of what else I would add. I am not one for the big lists that purport to be the primary or last word on what holds up. But I have been wanting to start a project of creating my own personal canon list, including a meaningful book for every year I’ve been alive, to keep adding to as a way to say to anyone who cares “hey, these are the books that shaped me. Which might also be yours?”
Love you taking the plunge for doing a newsletter reshuffle! Also love the new ghost icon - adorable. 'Middlesex' and 'Sex and Rage' have been on my tbr forever!! I must read. I read 'The Power of the Dog' coming up to two years ago and I didn't love it a great deal? I have always wondered if I should watch the Netflix adaptation.
I've been thinking a lot about what I think a 'American' novel is as someone who is absolutely not American. No patriotism to skew the thoughts here. From my perspective, I think American novels are novels that explore Race (we've got racism everywhere but it is very specific in America, with very specific roots) Immigration/ Great American Dream seeking and I think Religion in a lot of ways plays such an enormous part (from what i can see) in American culture (religion in the UK for example just does not feel the same at all. I don't know anyone religious. Maybe the internet skews my perception but it feels like a lot of people actively believe and take part in religion in USA) and then I guess freedom of speech is HUGE over there? I've run out of visits to the Atlantic site now due to the amount of times I analysed the list! :(
It also made me consider what I'd want to see on a Great UK Novel list!