Huck Finn is probably the greatest book I will ever read. Steinbeck was pretty damned good though. I read a lovely, brooding novel called, "The Winter of Our Discontent". It is not in the same league as his greatest hits, so to speak, but the characters and the mood of small town America are still with me many years later. That passes for good writing in my book.
Just a little anecdote in passing...
When I asked Klaus der Geiger to play on my first album, I took along a rough mix and a copy of the lyrics to the song. I have always been a little in awe of the man. He can be a very fiery character and he has a mighty intellect behind his ragged appearance. (You would not know by looking at him that his history included spells with both the Boston and LA Philharmonic). His English is now a little shaky, so I sat nervously while he listened to the song and read the lyrics. He asked a few questions. He then said, "It's like a Steinbeck story, isn't it?" I'll be proud of that all my days!