I thought the Pulitzer was supposed to go to the most outstanding novel of the year depicting a notable aspect of American life, yet here we have Pearl S. Buck winning it in 1932 for The Good Earth. This is a book I read long ago — and maybe didn’t even finish — and I don’t remember much about it…except that it’s about life in China. Hmmmm…
Anyway, it’s another good book, I’m sure. We’ll see.
As for Louise Erdrich’s The Night Watchman, it was a book I enjoyed, but found weak in some respects. Nothing really seemed to stick with me. There were some interesting passages dealing with the spirituality of Native Americans, but not much else that I saw compelling. Her writing style was solid, but didn’t have the flair or punch that Faulkner or Michener had. Or Donna Tartt. This is one of the cool things I’m gaining by this Pulitzer run — the ability to compare someone to other truly excellent authors. I’m getting a feel for it…and it feels like Erdrich kind of falls short.
I’m not calling the novel “bad.” Not at all. It won the Pulitzer, for crying out loud. It’s just that I thought it more flat than many of the others of its fame. I’m not sure where it will end up by the end fo the year, but for now, it’s settled near the bottom — but still above Gillead.
Now, it’s on to The Good Earth.
