The Sot-Weed Factor by John Barth
"The Sot-Weed Factor" is a satirical, picaresque novel set in the late 17th century, revolving around an innocent poet from London who is tricked into becoming a tobacco sot-weed factor in Maryland. The protagonist's misadventures, filled with mistaken identities, pirates, Native Americans, and a wide array of eccentric characters, mirror the challenges and absurdities of America's early colonial period. The narrative, rich in historical detail and parody, explores themes of identity, truth, and the nature of reality.
The 1422nd greatest book of all time
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- Published
- 1960
- Nationality
- American
- Length
- Long
- Pages
- 700-800
- Original Language
- English
- Avg User Rating
-
(4.0)
- Alternate Titles
- None
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This book is on the following 11 lists:
- 18th on Distinguished Fiction, 1945-1965. (New York Herald Tribune)
- 42nd on 20th Century's Greatest Hits: 100 English-Language Books of Fiction (Larry McCaffery)
- 2330th on Our Users' Honorable Mention Favorite Books of All Time (The Greatest Books Users)
- 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List (1,000 Books to Read Before You Die(Book))
- Daniel S. Burt's Recommended Historical Novels (What Historical Novel Do I Read Next? by Daniel S. Burt (1997))
- For The Love of Books (For The Love of Books)
- Harold Bloom's The Western Canon (The Western Canon (Book) by Harold Bloom)
- "Our Readable Century", The Best Books of the 20th Century -- Honorable Mention ( January Magazine)
- T. C. Boyle's Book Choices from "The Writer's Library" (The Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives (Book))
- The 100 Greatest American Novels, 1893 – 1993 (Jeff O'Neal at Bookriot.com)
- TIME Magazine All Time 100 Novels (TIME Magazine)