All The King's Men

ALL THE KING'S MEN
by Robert Penn Warren

 Award: Pulitzer 1947

 Date Read: March 4, 2010 & August 8, 2019

 All The King's Men is a magnificent novel that follows the rise of southern politician, Willie Stark, and the reporter, Jack Burden, who becomes his right-hand man. The reason, I believe, this novel is so famous and has withstood the test of time is its sweeping snapshot of southern life and politics, providing a road map from the past to the present. The political intrigue that occurs here is no different that what plays out today on the national stage.

 Willie's burgeoning political career begins with so much earnestness and sincerity, truly wanting to not just learn, but KNOW law, and true wanting voters to understand the minutiae involved in policy proposals. In one dramatic day, he realizes that not only is he being scandalously used by the opposition, but that voters tuned him out when he crawled through the weeds. Voters still just want to be made to FEEL something, not KNOW something.

 From here, oh how quickly Willie's morals collapse - blackmailing people for political influence, cheating on his wife with numerous women, throwing people aside like trash. As Jack is along for the ride, he too doesn't seem all that bothered by the questionable dealings of his mentor and even participates in this.

 In the end, all these characters are bouncing off each other like ping pong balls, which the case of Cass Mastern also shows. But in the case of Willie, Jack, Adam and Anne, the stakes are much higher than for your average Joe. And when people are manipulated and pushed to the limit, they will act in rash and unexpected ways.

 Ranked #36 in the Modern Library's 100 Best Novels.

 Looking Forward: Band Of Angels, The Cave


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