Ten North Frederick

Ten North Frederick won the national book award in 1956. I touched on it in my blog. http://www.dianastevan.com/2012/writing/fiction-and-the-republican-party/ It's a book I've always wanted to read, but it wasn't easy. John O'Hara wrote it with no chapters, and long paragraphs.

What was fascinating about this story, was how well he depicted the characters in this small town and their political manoeuvrings. As the American election of 2012 just took place, I found what went on back in the 1930s mirrored what went on today. Politics is a dirty business, and John O'Hara showed some of its complexity.

As well, he is frank on sexual matters and my understanding is that he was taken to task for the way he did this back in the 50s, which were considerably more repressed than the age we're living in now.