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A review by shaunnow38
Twenty-Five Books That Shaped America: How White Whales, Green Lights, and Restless Spirits Forged Our National Identity by Thomas C. Foster
4.0
American literature is an often fraught subject. It is a literature of as much problems as promise, though sometimes even our worst impulses are written of as bolstering the national character. From the beginnings of our literary republic to 19th century classics to mid-20th century novels of difference, Thomas C. Foster traces the legacy, and more importantly the character, of that American literary canon. Foster is not claiming a comprehensive view of American literary culture. He states outright that this discussion of 25(ish) books will not provide a full picture of American literature, nor are these the only books to read if one wishes to understand American literature. With an eye to the multiplicity and layered nature of American literature, Foster lights out to explore how these works of literature shaped the American national consciousness, and what these books have to say about the American spirit. Amazingly, the book doesn't come off as a propping up of the notion of "American excellence," at least not remotely. Foster does not take the opening to disparage the faults of these novels, and the faults they represent in the American character either, preferring an involved analysis that looks at how these books exist in dialogue with one another.
Indeed, that dialogue is at the heart of Foster's book, as he insists that not only do these authors and books learn from one another, but that they speak back to one another and influence the reception of previous works. From Walt Whitman spreads a web of answers that sing "I, Too" speak for America. Though the book is linear, the referentiality of the book forms more of a web of American experiences. One can find as much Whitman in Langston Hughes as in Thoreau sometimes. The insistence on dialogue shows how we continue to respond, and continue to deal with major issues of our times. Race relations, national sovereignty, democracy, experiencing the wilderness, disregard or suspicion of external authority, the mythic in the everyday; all of these pervade these texts in one version or another, sometimes to a greater or lesser extent. Foster never quite covers any one in detail, as the study is more general, but he provides an excellent overview of the ways in which these questions are broached by some of America's finest authors.
My major criticism of Foster's work is its middle of the road approach. There are very commendable parts of American literature, but I feel he fails to sufficiently convey how often American literature fails to live up to the national ideals it espouses. Books like The Scarlet Letter show American's ugly tendency to ostracize based on a petty morality, especially women rather than men, and Foster acknowledges this, but overall paints a rosier picture of these texts. The brutality of American life can be left on the wayside in favor of praising famous men. I don't wish to be misunderstood, these books are on the whole excellent, Foster has carefully chosen them for this purpose, but they are also texts filled with problems and contradictions for the American ideals they embody. I felt these problems were only addressed occasionally, and not with enough force to provide a full understanding of the history of literature in American. The romanticism of this book is not to be underestimated, even as Foster seems to be playing it neutral.
The upside of the book is it provides an accessible, often very fun look at American literature and its quirks, questions, and overall trajectory. I really think this is a great way to get into American literature, especially if you find some of the more difficult works to be incomprehensible. Foster is a good guide to the various themes of each text, and the book proves insightful for both beginners and long-time enthusiasts like myself.
Overall, I think this book is worth a shot, especially for those just getting into American literature. It gives you a new reading list to explore for yourself, and offers a bit of humor along the way.
Indeed, that dialogue is at the heart of Foster's book, as he insists that not only do these authors and books learn from one another, but that they speak back to one another and influence the reception of previous works. From Walt Whitman spreads a web of answers that sing "I, Too" speak for America. Though the book is linear, the referentiality of the book forms more of a web of American experiences. One can find as much Whitman in Langston Hughes as in Thoreau sometimes. The insistence on dialogue shows how we continue to respond, and continue to deal with major issues of our times. Race relations, national sovereignty, democracy, experiencing the wilderness, disregard or suspicion of external authority, the mythic in the everyday; all of these pervade these texts in one version or another, sometimes to a greater or lesser extent. Foster never quite covers any one in detail, as the study is more general, but he provides an excellent overview of the ways in which these questions are broached by some of America's finest authors.
My major criticism of Foster's work is its middle of the road approach. There are very commendable parts of American literature, but I feel he fails to sufficiently convey how often American literature fails to live up to the national ideals it espouses. Books like The Scarlet Letter show American's ugly tendency to ostracize based on a petty morality, especially women rather than men, and Foster acknowledges this, but overall paints a rosier picture of these texts. The brutality of American life can be left on the wayside in favor of praising famous men. I don't wish to be misunderstood, these books are on the whole excellent, Foster has carefully chosen them for this purpose, but they are also texts filled with problems and contradictions for the American ideals they embody. I felt these problems were only addressed occasionally, and not with enough force to provide a full understanding of the history of literature in American. The romanticism of this book is not to be underestimated, even as Foster seems to be playing it neutral.
The upside of the book is it provides an accessible, often very fun look at American literature and its quirks, questions, and overall trajectory. I really think this is a great way to get into American literature, especially if you find some of the more difficult works to be incomprehensible. Foster is a good guide to the various themes of each text, and the book proves insightful for both beginners and long-time enthusiasts like myself.
Overall, I think this book is worth a shot, especially for those just getting into American literature. It gives you a new reading list to explore for yourself, and offers a bit of humor along the way.