Abstract

John Applegate
Guerard, Albert | December 25, 1943 issue

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The article discusses the book "Mainstream," by Hamilton Basso. Basso is in quest of "the American" in the book, but he is fully aware that "the American character" is "an ideal figment," shaped by "that other ideal figment we call the American tradition." He asserts that it is impossible to strike an average or a norm. Yet Basso speaks of that myth. According to the author, the book is singularly vivid in tone and intellectually it is a dance of ghosts in the mist at midnight. Every one of the men studied in the book presents a unique problem, at times historical, at times psychological and problems are, if not solved, at any rate stated with clarity, which is an intellectual joy.

See Also:

MAINSTREAM (Book); BASSO, Hamilton; MYTHOLOGY; HISTORICAL fiction; IDEALS (Philosophy); UNITED States
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