The Great American Novel: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Great American Novel: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

The Great American Novel is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Williams, William Carlos (1883–1963).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Great American Novel" by William Carlos Williams is a novel written in the early 20th century. It explores the concept of progress and language, intertwining personal reflection with broader themes of American identity and literature. The narrative seems to oscillate around the complexities of writing a novel, with characters who grapple with their experiences and the passage of time, while the backdrop of America in a transitional period adds depth to their introspections. The opening of the novel introduces a fragmented narrative style, filled with sensory observations and philosophical musings. The protagonist engages in a stream-of-consciousness exploration of concepts such as time, progress, and the essence of words, cementing a mental landscape that oscillates between memory and present experience. This ruminative discourse transitions into a scene with two men emerging from a meeting, navigating a fog that symbolizes confusion and uncertainty, leading to their interactions and reflections on life, love, and creation. The juxtaposition of mundane realities with expansive thematic inquiries sets the stage for an intricate exploration of the American landscape and its literary ambitions.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Great American Novel
- Author credits: Williams, William Carlos (1883–1963)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- American fiction -- 20th century
- Satire
Gutenberg collections
- Category: American Literature
- Category: Novels
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.


