Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Season 1 – The Great American Read

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – The Great American Read May 2018 Documentary Special Interest Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
Tomatometer 3 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Television host and journalist Meredith Vieira takes a look at 100 of the best-loved books in America and the ways in which these novels affect people and connect them. The eight-episode series features interviews with celebrities, authors, fans and everyday Americans who discuss the books that have influenced them and the significance of these stories on American popular culture. The series culminates with the reveal of America's most-loved novel.

Where to Watch

The Great American Read — Season 1

Critics Reviews

View More
Jacqueline Cutler San Francisco Chronicle 09/11/2018
3/4
Ultimately, this series is for those who would rather turn pages than click channels, but the series engages as it focuses on identity, heroes, villains and love. Go to Full Review Armond White National Review 04/03/2020
This is not literary, it's Disneyana that entirely misses the point of art -- of reading -- as a daunting, intellectually challenging adventure. Go to Full Review Emily Ashby Common Sense Media 09/11/2018
4/5
For book fans, The Great American Read is a delightful way to revisit old favorites and learn about some new titles you may want to try, within the context of a nationwide literary popularity contest. Go to Full Review Read all reviews
The Great American Read — Season 1

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

View All

Meredith Vieira

Host

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired May 22, 2018 Launch An introduction to the 100 best-loved books in America, including the various ways in which the novels affect, reflect and connect people. Details Episode 2 Aired Sep 11, 2018 Fall Kick-off A list of 100 best-loved books and how these novels affect, reflect and connect people. Details Episode 3 Aired Sep 18, 2018 Who Am I? Highlighted books include "A Prayer for Owen Meany," "A Separate Peace," "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn," "The Catcher in the Rye," "Ghost," "Jane Eyre," "The Outsiders," "Siddhartha," "Tales of the City" and "To Kill a Mockingbird." Details Episode 4 Aired Sep 25, 2018 Heroes Books discussed are "1984," "A Confederacy of Dunces," "Alex Cross" series, "Catch-22," "Charlotte's Web," "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time," "Don Quixote," "The Help," "The Giver," and "The Hunger Games." Details Episode 5 Aired Oct 2, 2018 Villains & Monsters Books include "A Game of Thrones," "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," "And Then There Were None," "Beloved," "Gone Girl," "Frankenstein," "The Handmaid's Tale," "Moby-Dick" and "The Stand." Details Episode 6 Aired Oct 9, 2018 What We Do for Love Books highlighted include "Americanah," "Anne of Green Gables," "The Call of the Wild," "Gilead," "The Godfather," "Gone With the Wind," The Great Gatsby," "The Joy Luck Club," "Little Women" and "Looking for Alaska." Details Episode 7 Aired Oct 16, 2018 Other Worlds Highlighted books include "Atlas Shrugged," "Dune," "The Chronicles of Narnia," "Foundation," "Gulliver's Travels," "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," "The Lord of the Rings," "Lonesome Dove," "The Martian" and "Outlander." Details Episode 8 Aired Oct 23, 2018 Grand Finale The book that was voted America's favorite is revealed. Details

More Like This

View All
NOVA Wonders % % NOVA Wonders Watchlist Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr. % % Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Watchlist Victorian Slum House 83% % Victorian Slum House Watchlist The Roosevelts: An Intimate History 100% 94% The Roosevelts: An Intimate History Watchlist American Epic % % American Epic Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Season Info

Network
PBS
Rating
TV-PG
Genre
Documentary, Special Interest
Release Date
May 22, 2018