Is Hemingway The Greatest American Author of the 20th Century?

Question

I mean the man was brilliant, however, some books just seem to have too much of the same, repetitive topics.

Mailer and Capote - Brilliant at times, erratic at others

Styron - Also brilliant, but does not have a large body of work

Vidal - I think of him more as an essayist than a novelist

Kerouac - great at his "style" but do you think the man could ever write fiction if he had to?

Who would you give the title to??????

Answer 1

I would also offer he is ONE of the greatest.

However I believe this choice to be rather a subjective one.

I would chose someone who moves my own soul, someone for me whose writing is visceral.

Thus, I would chose Zora Neale Hurston

Answer 2

well I agree that he's ONE of the greatest american authors of the 20th century. There is however more that mirror the same style and have a lot of creativity and similar qualities.  William Faulkner is one of them, F. SCott Fitzgerald as well.  What makes an author great is their ability to transcribe their experiences, fiction, and works into the lives of others (the readers).  Overall, I do agree he's a great author. ^-^

Answer 3

i have to say this. i had an argument at work today. my buddy RIPPED Kurt Vonnegut.

I think of him as one of the top 5 American authors of the 20th century.any thoughts?