The Great British Novel

[shemthepenman]

I don't see the phrase used much anymore. Maybe the concept has been changed by people who think it's already been accomplished. From what I've read from the writers themselves, the idea was a motivating challenge rather than anything else. Based on an idea of someone like Tolstoy rather than any historical fact. As facts are mere deerticks attached to a truth, writers don't trouble so much with them, and create their own worlds. I think Kafka's American novel is a great american novel. Though certainly not the Great American Novel. But maybe close.

it’s funny you should say about writers calling it a motivating challenge. because i was just about to put that i think the concept gives a nice focus to young writers in america. 
in britain we’ve got a sedimentary class system that basically puts a limit on how much ambition one is allowed to carry about.