An American Trilogy

When I decided to get a Master's in Literature, I thought I would focus on American works. After a course in the early American novel I back pedaled my way right out of that. Uncle Tom's Cabin? No. Anything by Melville? Uh-uh. But I love modern American literature, and this trilogy is definitely worth the read:

Known as the Hundred Years Trilogy, these books follow one family through the last century. Each chapter is one year, and includes perspectives of different family members. Normally, I'm not big on books like this because I can't keep all the characters straight. Any book that includes detailed illustrations of the family tree in the beginning is not a book for me, but I'll make an exception for Jane Smiley because she's amazingly talented (read A Thousand Acres, an American farm story based on King Lear).

The book follows a farm family based in Iowa, starting in the very early 1900's. I appreciate that Smiley presents historical events through the eyes of various "normal" characters, as they go about living their daily lives. We watch as a farmer struggles with the decision of whether or not to transition from horses (who help to grow their own food, who don't require gas, who are sentient beings and participate in the family's life and livelihood) to a tractor (which requires gas, which costs money, which requires mechanical and technological upkeep, which introduces a machine to the family's life). We watch as the first generation of children grow up and begin to drift away from the farm - a concept that was brand new and unheard of in many parts of the country. Wars begin and end. Two prominent characters become involved in the CIA. Mothers employ different parenting techniques; psychology enters the picture; other countries begin to dramatically affect the shaping of ours, and meanwhile people drift further and further from the land.

A review from The New Yorker calls the trilogy an "American quilt" and I think that's a perfect description. Many smaller designs and stories take place within a larger, cohesive work. Smiley tackles a lot of issues and events, but in a manageable and personal way. As a reader, I never felt like, HERE COME THE COMPUTERS, or HERE WE GO AGAIN WITH THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS. She is subtle with so much heavy stuff, which allows the reader to digest it and appreciate it on a personal - rather than a distant, historical - level.

These books - in combination with Netflix, let's be honest - have comprised a lot of my summer vacation. They are worth the read. You'll feel like you're part of the family, and the characters may help you to further appreciate the generations of your own family.

Enjoy!