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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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I'm currently in waterstones looking at all the great works of fiction assembled at my fingertips and I find myself prevaricating. Time was that I had a planned reading list but sadly other things have a got in the way and these days I find myself more likely to read cooking instructions than a worth text.
Given the time what book would you recommend? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Most important / influential work of fiction has to be the bible 
Depends on your time constraints. Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet, any Tolkein but LOTR is just epic. Roddy Doyle is a great writer. For classics and great stories then fill your head with Dickens and never look back. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Most important / influential work of fiction has to be the bible
Depends on your time constraints. Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet, any Tolkein but LOTR is just epic. Roddy Doyle is a great writer. For classics and great stories then fill your head with Dickens and never look back. "
I was wondering as well about revisiting an old favourite like the ones you mentioned or trying a new story
And yes I was wondering who was going to say the bible |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Guy Sajer - The Forgotten Soldier
George Robert Elford - Devils Guard
Simon Murray - Legionnaire
non fiction excellent reads that you wont be able to put down until finished |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"1984 and Animal Farm - George Orwell....The man was way ahead of his time "
Yes, I love those books very influential in my late teens along with catch 22 and catcher in the rye |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"The Magic Faraway Tree - Enid Blyton 
*skips off into the land of fairies with Dick, Fanny and Moonface*"
I read some fan fiction about dick and fanny, it wasn't what I expected |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Anything by Hardy. At a time when sex, female sexuality in particular, was demonized he sympathetically portrayed some characters who didn't give creedence to the cultural notions of sex being synonymous with sin. He also attempted to challenge the limiting roles available to women at the time in an attempt to garner sympathy and compassion from his readers, rather than condemnation and scorn. However, it didn't work particularly. For decades it was considered by many academics that the rape of Tess wasn't rape at all, and 'Jude the Obscure' was dubbed 'Jude the Obscene' upon publication. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Anything by Hardy. At a time when sex, female sexuality in particular, was demonized he sympathetically portrayed some characters who didn't give creedence to the cultural notions of sex being synonymous with sin. He also attempted to challenge the limiting roles available to women at the time in an attempt to garner sympathy and compassion from his readers, rather than condemnation and scorn. However, it didn't work particularly. For decades it was considered by many academics that the rape of Tess wasn't rape at all, and 'Jude the Obscure' was dubbed 'Jude the Obscene' upon publication."
Gosh, I couldn't agree with this more! I absolutely adore Thomas Hardy and particularly the way he writes his female characters. I think Jude The Obscure is one of the most important books ever written in terms of both class and feminism - and in such descriptive style. It's utterly heartbreaking, and yet so compelling! (Kate Winslet is perfect as Sue Brideshead in the Winterbottom film too).
I'd also highlight Crime and Punishment by Dosteoevsky and The Outsider by Camus - both major works examining the human condition through the eyes of an anti-hero.
Whatever you choose, I hope you enjoy it OP! You can't beat a good work of literature !
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