Great American Novels

The Great American Novel (GAN) is a canonical novel that embodies and examines the essence and character of America in a specific time period or era. The term originated in an 1868 essay by American Civil War novelist John William De Forest. What makes these books so distinct is their attempt to encapsulate what is means to be American or how zeitgeist of the US during an important historical moment. In this collection, you'll explore some of the greatest American novels, from the coming-of-age stories of four sisters and the pursuit of the American Dream, to the violent satire of modern capitalism.