Title: The 42nd Parallel
Author: John Dos Passos
First published January 1, 1930
326 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780618056811 (ISBN10: 0618056815)
Rating: 3.82
Overview
John Dos Passos’ U.S.A. trilogy, consisting of THE 42nd PARALLEL, 1919, and THE BIG MONEY, is a masterpiece of American literature. Widely regarded as the great American novel, U.S.A. is a sweeping, vibrant portrayal of a nation in flux.
In the first installment, THE 42nd PARALLEL, readers are transported to the dawn of the twentieth century, where we follow the intertwined lives of five characters as they navigate the stormy skies of New York City. Along the way, we encounter luminaries such as Eugene Debs, Thomas Edison, and Andrew Carnegie, whose influence shapes the course of American history.
With a keen eye for detail and a deft hand at storytelling, Dos Passos weaves together a tapestry of richly drawn characters and vivid historical events that will enthrall readers from beginning to end. As relevant today as it was when it was first published, U.S.A. is a tour-de-force of American literature that is not to be missed.
About the Author
John Roderigo Dos Passos was an accomplished American novelist and artist. He received an excellent education at The Choate School in Connecticut in 1907, under the name John Roderigo Madison.
Later, he traveled throughout Europe and the Middle East with his tutor to study classical art, architecture, and literature. After attending Harvard University in 1912, he went to Spain to continue his studies.
In 1917, he volunteered for the Sanitary Squad Unit 60 of the Norton-Harjes Ambulance Corps with notable figures such as Ernest Hemingway.
By late summer of 1918, he had finished his first novel draft and had to report for duty in the United States Army Medical Corps in Pennsylvania. After the war, he stayed in Paris where he studied anthropology at the Sorbonne through the United States Army Overseas Education Commission.
Dos Passos published his first novel in 1920, followed by an antiwar story that garnered him recognition. His 1925 novel about life in New York City was also a success.
In 1937, he went to Spain with Hemingway, but his views on the Communist movement had already begun to change, which ended his friendship with Hemingway and Herbert Matthews. In 1930, he published the first book of his trilogy, considered one of his most important works.
It was not until 1967 that he received recognition for his significant contribution to the literary field when he was invited to Rome to accept the Antonio Feltrinelli Prize.
During World War II, Dos Passos worked as a journalist from 1942 to 1945. In 1947, he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
Tragically, his wife, Katharine Smith, died in an automobile accident, and he lost sight in one eye. He remarried in 1949 and had a daughter named Lucy Dos Passos in 1950.
Dos Passos wrote forty-two novels, as well as poems, essays, and plays, and created over four hundred pieces of art.
The John Dos Passos Prize is awarded annually by the Department of English and Modern Languages at Longwood University to recognize American creative writers who have produced a substantial body of significant publications that display characteristics of Dos Passos’ writing. As an artist, he created his own cover art for his books, influenced by modernism in 1920s Paris.
He passed away in Baltimore, Maryland, and his Virginia estate, Spence’s Point, was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1971.
Editoral Review
John Dos Passos’ debut novel, The 42nd Parallel, first published in 1930, is a towering achievement in American literature. Written during the Great Depression, it is a snapshot of a nation in flux, grappling with political, social, and cultural upheaval.
Dos Passos, known for his experimental technique of combining fictional narratives with historical documents, weaves together a tapestry of characters, settings, and themes, creating a vivid portrait of early 20th century America. In The 42nd Parallel, Dos Passos employs a multi-narrative technique, interspersing the stories of various characters throughout the book.
The novel follows the lives of eleven characters who come from different walks of life but are bound by the common thread of ambition and the pursuit of the American Dream. The main characters include J.
Ward Moorehouse, an industrialist whose wealth and success come at a great personal cost; Mac, a laborer-turned-radical who fights for workers’ rights; and Janey Williams, a working-class girl who yearns for a better life. The novel is set against the backdrop of the United States, chronicling the major events that shaped the country during the early 20th century, including World War I, the Red Scare, and the birth of the modern era.
The book also peeks into the lives of famous figures of the time, such as Henry Ford and Woodrow Wilson, relaying their stories and opinions through newspapers and other historical documents. The strength of The 42nd Parallel lies in Dos Passos’ ability to convey the intricate web of characters and their experiences without sacrificing the individuality and humanity of each one.
Dos Passos writes with precision and detail, creating a realistic and immersive world for the reader. From the crowded streets of New York City to the farms and factories of the Midwest, the novel captures the beauty and brutality of a country on the cusp of change.
Despite its many strengths, The 42nd Parallel is not without its flaws. At times, the constant switching between narratives can be overwhelming and disjointed, making it hard to keep track of each character’s arc.
Additionally, some of the historical documents included in the novel can feel redundant or unnecessary. Overall, however, The 42nd Parallel is a masterful work of literature that is both thought-provoking and engaging.
Its themes of ambition, disillusionment, and social inequality resonate today, making it a timeless read. The novel is an excellent choice for readers who enjoy historical fiction with a strong sense of character development and setting.
Rating: 4 stars out of 5.
