All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn... American writing comes from that. There was nothing before. There has been nothing as good since.

Summary

This quote is expressing the profound influence and significance of Mark Twain's novel, Huckleberry Finn, on modern American literature. It suggests that Twain's work serves as the foundation of American writing and essentially ushered in a new era in the literary world. According to the quote, nothing prior to Huckleberry Finn possessed the same impact or quality, and nothing that followed has been able to surpass its greatness. It highlights Twain's novel as a timeless masterpiece and a pivotal point in American literary history.