What defines the great American novel?

Answer 1

The term 'Great American Novel' originated during the American Civil War and was, in part, a call for distinctness from England. Presumably such a book would perfectly capture the American zeitgeist (the spirit of the time) in a way that no foreigner could possibly achieve. These days it's taken on a slightly different meaning as the need for distinctness has faded, becoming instead a sort of prototypical book... in theory the best one which could ever be written.

There have been a number of books that have been put forward as examples of the 'Great American Novel', including "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Twain, "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, and "The Grapes of Wrath" by Steinbeck. All of which are very good books, whether or not they are the supposed holy grail of writing.

Answer 2

You have some great answers. I would add:
Appointment in Samarra by John O'Hara: An excellent view of the class struggle in 1930's America.
Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison: About race in America. Written in 1952 this novel foretold the civil rights movement.

Answer 3

The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner;
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote;
The Sun Also Rise by Earnest Hemingway;
etc.

Answer 4

It mentions a lot of different types of trees.
It's true! 'Serious' American writers seem to think that spelling out the name of every tree around makes it a better book.

Answer 5

The publicist and the public relations manager of the writer define it.

Answer 6

Suspense and romance!!