3.82
Part of "U.S.A." series
"The 42nd Parallel" by John Dos Passos is a groundbreaking modernist novel that explores the lives of several characters as they navigate the rapidly changing world of early 20th century America. The novel is the first in Dos Passos' U.S.A. trilogy, which also includes "1919" and "The Big Money." The 42nd Parallel follows a cast of characters from diverse backgrounds, including a Midwestern farmer's son, a Jewish immigrant, and a prostitute, as they make their way to New York City in search of opportunity and a better life. The novel is known for its experimental style, which includes the use of newsreels, stream-of-consciousness narratives, and biographical sketches to provide a sweeping, kaleidoscopic view of American society during this time period. Dos Passos' writing is characterized by its vivid imagery, sharp social commentary, and complex, multilayered narrative structure. The novel explores themes of industrialization, immigration, and the changing nature of American identity, as well as the impact of World War I on the national psyche. The 42nd Parallel is a landmark work of modernist literature that offers a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the American experience. Its innovative style and sweeping scope have influenced countless writers and artists, and it remains a vital and relevant work of art today. Whether you're a fan of modernist literature, American history, or simply a great story, The 42nd Parallel is a novel that deserves a place on your bookshelf...
Theodore Dreiser
Sister Carrie
Sister Carrie is a naturalist novel that tells the story of a young woman who moves to the city and becomes involved in a series of relationships with men from different social classes. This novel shares Dos Passos' interest in exploring the lives of characters from different social classes.
Learn MoreJohn Dos Passos
The Big Money
The Big Money is the final novel in Dos Passos' U.S.A. trilogy, which follows a diverse cast of characters through the early 20th century. This novel focuses on the theme of the corrupting influence of wealth in America.
Learn MoreErnest Hemingway
The Sun Also Rises
Like Dos Passos, Hemingway was a member of the Lost Generation—a term used to describe the group of American literary notables who came of age during World War I. The Sun Also Rises explores themes of love, death, and the notion of masculinity, all of which are also present in The 42nd Parallel.
Learn MoreErnest Hemingway
A Farewell To Arms
Another novel by Hemingway that explores the themes of love and war, A Farewell to Arms is set during World War I and tells the story of an American ambulance driver and his love for an English nurse.
Learn MoreF. Scott Fitzgerald
Tender Is the Night
Fitzgerald is another member of the Lost Generation, and Tender is the Night is a novel that explores the hedonistic lifestyle of the American expatriate community in Europe during the 1920s. This novel shares Dos Passos' interest in exploring the lives of characters from different social classes.
Learn MoreF. Scott Fitzgerald
The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby is Fitzgerald's most famous novel, and it tells the story of a wealthy man who throws extravagant parties in an attempt to win back the love of his life. This novel shares Dos Passos' interest in exploring the lives of characters from different social classes.
Learn MoreSinclair Lewis
Main Street
Main Street is a novel that critiques small-town America and the narrow-mindedness of its inhabitants. This novel shares Dos Passos' interest in exploring the lives of characters from different social classes.
Learn MoreSinclair Lewis
Babbitt
Babbitt is a novel that satirizes the American middle class and its materialistic values. This novel shares Dos Passos' interest in exploring the lives of characters from different social classes.
Learn MoreErnest Hemingway
To Have and Have Not
To Have and Have Not is a novel that explores the lives of characters from different social classes, as it tells the story of a wealthy American who loses his fortune and is forced to work as a charter boat captain in Cuba.
Learn More