Tough-O-Meter

We've got your back. With the Tough-O-Meter, you'll know whether to bring extra layers or Swiss army knives as you summit the literary mountain. (10 = Toughest)

(4) Base Camp

An American Dream isn't for everyone. The novel features a unique, metaphor-heavy writing style that might confuse some readers, and it's also worth mentioning that the subject matter can get a little intense at times. For both of these reasons, it isn't exactly a walk in the park. But while you may have to read some sections a few times to fully grasp their meaning, and you're likely to cringe at points, we promise that the reward is well worth the effort.