The Day of the Locust – The greatest Hollywood novel of all time?

Previously: Introduction

When I ask other writers to name the greatest Hollywood novel of all time, the more well-informed usually reply The Day of the Locust by Nathanael West.

Wests novel is a singular American novel. It dices and juliennes the Hollywood of the Great Depression without a moment of hesitation or an ounce of sentimentality. With disgust (and a little glee) West holds up for display Hollywoods winners as well as the legions of desperate outsiders shut out of Hollywoods dream...