Description
A Coming-of-Age Collection
The German word bildungsroman was defined by Goethe’s seminal novel Wilhelm Meisters Lehrjahne. Its powerful influence still reverberates in literature. Today, we use the term “coming of age novels” for the books that are its spiritual descendents. They are a wonderful and varied group, and can form the basis of a fascinating literature collection.
Collecting Upton Sinclair
From the perspective of the Twenty-first century, it might be hard to believe that Upton Sinclair was “the most important writer in the history of the United States,” as critic Leon Harris characterized him. However, most people alive today did not live in the first half of the Twentieth century, and they tend not to realize the impact Sinclair had through his novels and investigative journalism. Any writer with a spark of indignation and a passion for social justice owes a debt of gratitude to Sinclair.
Upton Sinclair: A Checklist
There is more to a Sinclair collection than just a first of The Jungle, his most famous and enduring work. If fact, there are two distinct true firsts of the book.
Rare and Sinclair
Most of Sinclair’s works had large print runs; rarities do not usually attach themselves to the name of Upton Sinclair. There are exceptions, however.
Books into Film
The Red Pony, a novella by John Steinbeck, a film by Lewis Milestone