Robert Penn Warren (1905–1989)

This is literature of the finest sort, spoiled by a lack of editing. The book could have been half as long and twice as good.
One of the strengths of the book is its portrayal of minor characters and the squalor they inhabit. The jailer Munn Short, for example, tells a story which has no bearing on the novel but which lingers as a tour de force. Another strength is Warren's descriptions of landscape and nature, which are infused with his deep knowledge and appreciation. However - the book is somewhat spoiled by Warren's insistence on portraying Jeremiah Beaumont's inner thoughts, his prevarications, his tortured musings, his diary entries -- all in the name of showing Beaumont to be a man of ideas, and these ideas would prove to be incompatible with the world "made flesh". The last 150 pages were a real drag. In fact, I found myself searching to find a Reader's Digest Condensed version of the book, to no avail, but if ever a book could be made shorter (and better) this is the one. I still praise this book highly, but I was disappointed by all the telling, which overtook the showing. Show, don't tell.… (mere)

This is a book from my bucket list.

It's always a bit mind-boggling to read a book from a hundred years ago and recognize that nothing has really changed except fashion. It happened when I read [b:Arrowsmith|11389|Arrowsmith|Sinclair Lewis|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328006651l/11389._SY75_.jpg|1446230] and realized that nothing has changed in the world of pharmaceuticals and physicians. All the King's Men lays out the idea that power and money is central to politics, and corrupts all politicians, no matter humble and full of good will they are in the beginning. Human nature doesn't change one bit. It's incredibly depressing.… (mere)