Reader discussion: Manhattan Transfer

Public reader discussion about Manhattan Transfer by John Dos Passos.

Looking For Books with No Plot

By OldThread40

I just finished *The Summer Book* by Tove Jansson, and I honestly got sucked in mostly because not much really happens. The story feels like it’s going nowhere—just a simple, short, cozy thing about a girl and her grandmother on an island. But the writing is so absorbing that I kept catching myself wanting to turn the page faster, even though there wasn’t much “plot” to chase. I had the same reaction to Tolstoy’s “The Death of Ivan Ilych,” too. It’s basically just a story about a man who’s dying. That’s the surface level, at least. Anyway, I’d really like more recommendations for books that are kind of plot-light but still have really great writing. I’m not even sure what you’d call that kind of thing, so it feels like it’s not really a genre, but if anyone has ideas, I’d love to hear them.

The literature placement begins: John Dos Passos

By LooseStamp1983

Did anyone figure out what the title was?

Dos Passos; U.S.A. Trilogy and Later Works

By Coin_Story70

I’m reading John Dos Passos’s U.S.A. right now and I honestly can’t believe I’m only running into it now. It feels really good, but it also seems like not many people talk about it. I’ve been looking at a couple shorter bios online and it kind of sounds like he lost a lot of fans after he started getting more conservative—does that seem accurate? Or was his later stuff just kind of not as good? Also, did you like U.S.A.? I’d love to hear any other thoughts you have on Dos Passos or the book. Thanks!