The 42nd Parallel

The 42nd Parallel (1930) is an experimental work of fictional realism, history, and stream of consciousness that utilizes a myriad of literary devices to create the first true collective novel.

It is the first book in the much-lauded U.S.A. trilogy, in which author John Dos Passos sets out to capture the turbulent essence of the early 20th century through twelve characters all struggling to find their place within American society. These stories are told through four main literary modes: traditional fictional narratives, newspaper clippings and song lyrics, short biographical sections of contemporary public figures, and autobiographical stream of consciousness. These elements come together to form a narrative that is as sprawling as it is cohesive, with Dos Passos refusing to single out way of living that makes a person wholly American. While never in a straight line, all of the characters and narratives presented in this first entry continue to develop throughout the other two books in the trilogy, Nineteen Nineteen (1932) and The Big Money (1936).

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With thousands of titles in our collection, we aim to spotlight diverse public domain works to help them find modern audiences. Mint Editions celebrates a breadth of literary works, curated from both canonical and overlooked classics from writers around the globe.