The 42nd Parallel

The 42nd Parallel by John Dos Passos

The narrative of 42nd Parallel is interspersed with "newsreals" and biographies of historical figures. At times I'm not sure if I am learning about a person from the story or somebody from history. The focus is on "working people". They are enticed by socialism. However, they also need to work jobs, and will not let ideology get in the way of work. There are various struggles that they run into in living in the society. One of the primary characters works primarily in print shops. The industry is changing, and there are different opportunities. He ends up in Mexico where he gets employment, but also gets caught up in the revolution. Along the way, plenty of people are willing to offer advice, some of it good. Everyone is struggling to find their place in the world and among other people. I did enjoy the style of the book, and was able to follow it most of the time.