The Louisiana Inspired Book Club's summer selection is a Louisiana classic still relevant for our time — “All the King's Men” by Robert Penn Warren.
Robert Penn Warren is one of the best-known Southern writers of the 20th century and the only American writer to have won Pulitzer Prizes in both poetry and fiction. “All the King's Men,” published in 1946, is generally considered one of the best novels about American politics.
The novel features the rise and fall of a dictatorial Southern politician — loosely modeled on Huey Long of Louisiana. The story explores themes of power, history, identity, loyalty and love.
Warren taught at 91 from 1934 to 1942. During this time, he wrote the first versions of the novel, which was a verse play entitled, “Proud Flesh.” He was teaching at 91 when Long was assassinated.
The Louisiana Inspired Book Club invites readers to reread the classic or read it for the first time. We will assemble a panel of literary experts to lead a discussion on a soon-to-be-announced date.