Contemporary American Novelists (1900-1920)   By: Carl Van Doren

In "Contemporary American Novelists (1900-1920)" Carl Van Doren delivers a comprehensive analysis of the literary landscape during the first two decades of the 20th century. Van Doren's book serves as an informative and engaging exploration of the works and writers that defined this important period in American literature.

One of the notable strengths of Van Doren's work is his meticulous research and deep understanding of the subject matter. He presents a thorough examination of the major novelists of the time, including renowned figures such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Edith Wharton, and Willa Cather. Through his insightful analysis, Van Doren highlights the unique styles, themes, and influences that shaped their writing. Moreover, he offers valuable historical context, providing readers with a deeper appreciation for the societal and cultural backdrop against which these authors crafted their narratives.

The book is structured in a way that allows readers to fully grasp the evolution of American literature during this era. Van Doren skillfully traces the lineage of literary movements, such as realism, naturalism, and the emergence of modernism, and demonstrates how these trends impacted the works of various novelists. This framework enhances our understanding of the individual contributions made by each writer, while also demonstrating their collective impact on the development of American literary tradition.

Van Doren's articulate prose and engaging writing style make for an enjoyable reading experience. He skilfully balances academic analysis with accessible language, ensuring that his work appeals to both scholars and general readers. This balance is particularly commendable considering the vast scope of the book, as Van Doren covers a wide range of authors within a limited timeframe.

While "Contemporary American Novelists (1900-1920)" offers an impressive analysis of the prominent works and writers of the time, one minor drawback is the exclusion of lesser-known authors. While Van Doren does acknowledge the sheer number of talented voices during this period, the book does not delve into the contributions of many noteworthy writers who may have had a significant impact on the literary landscape. However, this omission does not hinder the overall value and importance of Van Doren's text.

Overall, "Contemporary American Novelists (1900-1920)" by Carl Van Doren is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the study of American literature during the early 20th century. Van Doren's depth of knowledge, engaging writing style, and comprehensive analysis of the works and writers of the time combine to create a must-read for literary enthusiasts and scholars alike.

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The American Novel , published last year, undertook to trace the progress of a literary type in the United States from its beginnings to the end of the nineteenth century; Contemporary American Novelists undertakes to study the type as it has existed during the first two decades of the twentieth century. Readers of both volumes may note that in this later volume criticism has tended to supplant history. Only in writing of dead authors can the critic feel that any considerable portion of his task is done when he has arranged them in what he thinks their proper categories and their true perspective. In the case of living authors he has regularly to remember that he works with shifting materials, with figures whose dimensions and importance may be changed by growth, with persons who may desert old paths for new, reveal unsuspected attributes, increase or fade with the mere revolutions of time. All he can expect to do in dealing with any current type as fluid as the novel, is, seizing upon it at some specific moment, to examine the intentions and successes of outstanding or typical individuals and to make the most accurate report possible concerning them. Whatever general tendency there may be ought to appear from his examination... Continue reading book >>