For this first response I want everyone to respond with their favorite American novel. Provide the title, author, a brief summary of the plot, and a few reasons why you like the book. Some of you may have multiple favorites. That's great, but for the time being, just respond with one; you will have opportunities to share many more this semester.
I'll provide you with my favorite right off the bat so that you can see what I want.
My favorite American novel is The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. The book is set during the 1920's around the dawn of sky-scrapers in American cities. Howard Roark, a brilliant and original architect, seeks opportunities to build his designs in and around New York City. He is opposed at every time by a host of public figures who cannot cope with his groundbreaking and non-traditional work. Rand's great book captures the heart of objectivist theory and tells a story worth reading over and again.
I love The Fountainhead because it speaks to me in a way few other works do. Its message is unconventional, but it makes good points and holds a kernel of truth about art, beauty, and reality. Rand's setting, character development, and plot do a wonderful job of keeping me entertained and captivated. She has a gift for detail, imagery, and description that few other authors can match in my experience. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants a novel that will entertain as well as provoke serious thought.
