1.The Grapes of Wrath John Steinbeck
约翰·史坦贝克《愤怒的葡萄》

Bob chose Steinbeck as a favorite author and developed such an enthusiasm for his novel “The Grapes of Wrath” that he wrote a 15-page essay about it. “John Steinbeck is great.” Bob said.
鲍勃最喜爱的作家就是史坦贝克,他对《愤怒的葡萄》这本小说十分着迷,就写了一篇长达15页与其相关的文章。

One of Steinbeck's best known novels, this story has made it onto many book lists and English literature reading lists for its Pulitzer Prize. It should be known for its classic American themes of determination in the face of crippling discouragement, its vast descriptions of families caught in the teeth of the 1930's Depression, and a tenacious insistence on clinging to life. The Joad family survives a stop-and-go movement toward the golden shores of California, one family member's prison background, and economic instability – but not without a cost. The benefit of self-sacrifice comes through in Ma and Rosasharn, Jim Casy provides gritty life philosophy, and the characters without names provide arich tapestry of background.
作为史坦贝克的代表作之一,这本书被列入了许多书目和英国文学阅读清单,并获得了普利策奖。该书以面对困难百折不挠的经典美式主题而广为人知,讲述了在1930年美国经济危机时,一家人为了生存而作出的顽强奋斗。约德一家人从逃亡加利福利亚黄金海岸的断断续续的运动中幸存下来,一个家庭成员还入过狱,以及经济上也不稳定,也付出过代价。玛和罗萨身上体现了自我牺牲的可贵之处,吉姆卡西体现了坚韧不拔的人生哲学,文中许多无名的角色则反映了丰富的时代背景。

2.Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller
亨利·米勒《北回归线》

“I like Henry Miller. I think he is the greatest American writer.”
“我喜欢亨利米勒,他是美国最伟大的作家。”

What was salacious and banned American reading in the 1930's (but not in France) can now be added to anyone's reading list. The over-the-top descriptions of women's bodies provide insight into Miller's own tempestuous personal life, and the deep anger expressed at life's unfairness was all his own. From disappointing night club jaunts to a parade of interactions with prostitutes, the main character celebrates all things out of the ordinary and the triumph of the body – if not the body politic. They are good for free dinners and conversation, but not much more. Those inspired by the Beat writers, like Jack Kerouac, may find this a fascinating reading list addition.
20世纪30年代(并非在法国),露骨的美国禁书现在已经对所有人开放。对于女性身体的过多描写能让我们看到米勒混乱的私生活,以及他对人生中不公的愤慨。从让人失望地沉迷夜总会,再到与妓女厮混,主人公以一些非正常的事为乐,追求身体的愉悦,而与政治无关。它们使人们能够享受免费的晚餐,相互交谈,但也是仅此而已。那些喜欢垮掉的一代的作家的人,例如杰克•凯鲁亚克, 会觉得这个书目非常精彩。

3.On the Road by Jack Keroua
杰克·凯鲁亚克《在路上》

“It was Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac who inspired me at first and where I come from, there wasn’t  the sophisticated transportation you have now. ” [/en
]“一开始,是金斯伯格和杰克凯鲁亚克激励了我,让我知道自己来自何方,你现在看到的复杂交通是不存在的。”

[en]While the art of Vagabonding may have become currently popular via Rolf Potts' addition to travel junkies' favorites list, Jack Kerouac was the voice of the 1960's and 1970's wanderlust. The many adventures of Kerouac and friend Cassady (transmuted into characters Dean Moriarty and Sal Paradise) are sprawlingly chronicled in a series of comments and descriptions, with no particular beginning and no particular end. For those who want social commentaries on economics, feminism, and racism, this book has it. Expansive descriptions of American life, culture, and attitudes are all here, along with the freedom of wide open spaces. Those trying to find a plot adhering to an outline may have trouble reading this.

在罗尔夫波茨将其列入流浪瘾君子最爱的书单后,流浪的艺术就变得十分流行。杰克凯鲁亚克是1960年到1970年流浪癖的抒发者。凯鲁亚克和他的朋友卡萨迪的冒险都被记录到一系列的评论和描述中,而且既没有特别的开头,也没有特别的结尾。对于那些希望对经济、女权主义、种族主义进行社会评论的人,这本书就是很好的选择。书中有很多对于美国生活、文化以及一些看法,还有对开放地域的描述等。那些想找到与大纲相连的情节的人,在阅读的时候则会遇到困难。

4.“Howl and Other Poems” by Allen Ginsberg
艾伦·金斯堡《嗥叫》

“It was Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac who inspired me at first and where I come from, there wasn’t  the sophisticated transportation you have now. ”
“一开始,是金斯伯格和杰克凯鲁亚克激励了我,让我知道自己来自何方,你现在看到的复杂的交通是不存在的。”

Another current classic that made it through the censored reading lists, Ginsberg's effort has been hailed as the battering ram that opened the American ivory tower of literature to life celebrations of the 1960's. The book may have made it onto free thinkers' reading lists just on the basis of the publishers' alone, if not the ground-breaking headlines of the court case afterward. The word “hipsters” cavorts with “benzedrine” and “unconsciousness”, along with many recognizable and strange flashes of creativity. Sometimes repetitive, sometimes wild, this rant against (and in favor of) the ceaseless desires of man provides unpredictability and grim depictions of gutter reality.
其他现代名著将其列入通过审查的书单中,金斯堡的努力被人们盛赞为破城槌,开启了20世纪60年代美国歌颂生命的象牙塔文学。如果不是因为后来闹得沸沸扬扬的诉讼案件,这本书可能已经被出版社列入了自由思考者的书单。书中出现了Hipsters(时髦人群)、benzedrine(兴奋剂)和unconsciousness(无意识)等词语,以及被承认的或奇怪的创造力。时而重复,时而狂野,这与人类不可预测的无休止的欲望,以及对悲惨现实的无情揭露相碰撞(并对其支持)。

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