The 7 Books from “Novel Reflections on the American Dream”

Watching “Novel Reflections on the American Dream” (link to trailer | website), a new documentary on PBS, is an illuminating two hour experience which steps through 7 great American novels and how they’ve each confronted the subject of American idealism and pushed our perceptions of what it means to be “self-made.” Delving into issues of class, racism, feminism, politics, and soul-searching, this documentary is not to be missed.

I’m a little ashamed to say that I’ve only read 2 of these books, “Seize the Day” and “The Great Gatsby.” I definitely intend to get to “The Grapes of Wrath” one of these days. Any others I shouldn’t miss?

1. 

“Sister Carrie,” Theodore Dreiser

2. 

“The House of Mirth,” Edith Wharton

3. 

“The Great Gatsby,” F. Scott Fitzgerald

4. 

“The Grapes of Wrath,” John Steinbeck

5. 

“The Street,” Ann Petry

“Typical American,” Gish Jen

7. 

“Seize the Day,” Saul Bellow