Literature

[oppp7]

I didn't mind Hamlet that much, which is surprising for a forced read.

I actually preferred the Hobbit to Lord of the Rings. I just got too confused about WTF was going on in it half the time when it started talking about all this lineage stuff.

 

[HonorableChairman]

Either way, I've come to realize that I'm the only human on earth below the age of 30 who liked To Kill a Mockingbird. I honestly found it very interesting.

I loved it(19 here), although I realise this is probably because I never had to study it at school. I have a similar relationship with Catcher in the Rye. Mockingbird just came across as really charming to me, and had a great way of getting its point across trying to trigger an emotive, empathising reaction rather than persuasion by logic or rhetoric. I reckon Harper Lee was a great writer too (if a little too keen on alliteration), shame she didn't write more (although Mockingbird is near impossible to try and followup).

I read it of my own accord before I had to study it, and so I probably got a leg up on that one. Catcher is another one I like, if only because J.D. Salinger can write phenomenally convincing first-person.

 

[JayDub147]

My personal favorite work would be G.K. Chesterton's The Man Who Was Thursday.

Undercover police versus anarchist terrorists; kick-ass

 

[Wadders]

Any George Orwell fans here? He wrote Down and Out in Paris and London, 1984, Animal Farm etc. Great author, I find it hard to put his books down, and a very interesting character to boot. I love reading and re-reading his books.

Also Mervyn Peake; Gormenghast. Please tell me someone here has read the Gormanghast trilogy, or at very least seen the TV film!

I think that's my favorite trilogy. The description, imagery, and characters are just so rich and vivid (that sounds very pretentious). Even the last book (Titus Alone) written whilst Peake was going mental, is amazing.

And I also like old (late 1800's early 1900's) Russian books. Dead Souls by Nikolia Gogol being a particular favourite.

Also Sherlock Holmes kicks major ass.

Aldous Huxley - A Brave New World is also a good, fairly classic, book.

Being as I am in uni, I get less time for reading for pleasure then I would like, but hey.

 

[pigeon_of_doom]

I didn't mind Hamlet that much, which is surprising for a forced read.

I'm meaning to read Hamlet soon. Saw the BBC film/play adaption and adored it (and not just for David Tennant). Really should read at least one play from the Shakespeeare Complete Works I bought OVER A YEAR AGO.

Catcher is another one I like, if only because J.D. Salinger can write phenomenally convincing first-person.

I'm not completely sure about the first person style in Catcher. I read an article recently that called the style somewhat affected, a little too stylised, and I agree but I'm not sure if it's a purposeful demonstration of Holden's hypocritical distaste for "phoneyism", a writing flaw, or simply the age of the material showing. Got plenty of merit to it though.

Any George Orwell fans here? He wrote Down and Out in Paris and London, 1984, Animal Farm etc. Great author, I find it hard to put his books down, and a very interesting character to boot. I love reading and re-reading his books.

Also Mervyn Peake; Gormenghast. Please tell me someone here has read the Gormanghast trilogy, or at very least seen the TV film!

I think that's my favorite trilogy. The description, imagery, and characters are just so rich and vivid (that sounds very pretentious). Even the last book (Titus Alone) written whilst Peake was going mental, is amazing.

I'm a massive Orwell fan, although I've only read Animal Farm, 1984, Down and Out... and a few of his essays.

Gormenghast trilogy is at the bottom of one of five piles of books, so I doubt I'll be able to comment on that too soon.

 

[dariuskyne]

let's see, books I remember I've read in the past few months

Perdido Street Station (China Mieville) high fantasy with steampunk stuff there good read likes to take the reader by the hand and show them around.

The Difference Engine (Willam Gibson/Bruce Sterling) meh it was okay, steampunkish alternate time deal, good, but coulda been better.

House of Leaves (Mark Z. Danielewski) great read if you can get over the random type face and intertwining stories

Atlas Shrugged (Ayn Rand) Great story Interesting belief set, liked it alot.

Sophie's World (Jostein Gaarder) great book, interesting premise, and a great book to give someone as a primer to philosophy.

Republic (Plato) gotta give it up to the classics

The Land of Time and other Stories (Lord Dunsany) most people say Tolkien is the father of fantasy, I say they foget that Dunsany was one of Tolkien's influences.

A Song of Ice and Fire series (George R. R. Martin) starting with Game of Thrones this series is great (my opinion) the protagonists aren't always the ones who survive, thus putting theseries up high on my list of thngs I liked. just waiting for the next freaking book to come out (4 books out so far).

I know there's more books, some I liked some I didn't, but overall thos are the ones I remember readin at least in the past few monhs (have tons of time to read now, yay unemployment... now if I can figure out how to buy the books wihtout kiling my oh so great unemployment budget...)

bah I complain overmuch.

 

[Wadders]

Catcher is another one I like, if only because J.D. Salinger can write phenomenally convincing first-person.

I'm not completely sure about the first person style in Catcher. I read an article recently that called the style somewhat affected, a little too stylised, and I agree but I'm not sure if it's a purposeful demonstration of Holden's hypocritical distaste for "phoneyism", a writing flaw, or simply the age of the material showing. Got plenty of merit to it though.

That books annoyed the living shit out of me, but somehow I couldn't help but like it. It made me laugh out loud a few times, and I found myself hating Holden less as I went along. I would have probably have enjoyed it more if it wasn't compulsory reading for my English class.

 

[2012 Wont Happen]

My favorite two non-series novels of all time:

Ender's Game (no- there isn't a series: lies!)

The Catcher in the Rye (RIP Salinger)

My favorite series:

Odd Thomas

Perceus Jackson and the Olympians (people will say this isn't a literary achievement, and maybe its not, but I think it is)

 

[Wadders]

Any George Orwell fans here? He wrote Down and Out in Paris and London, 1984, Animal Farm etc. Great author, I find it hard to put his books down, and a very interesting character to boot. I love reading and re-reading his books.

Also Mervyn Peake; Gormenghast. Please tell me someone here has read the Gormanghast trilogy, or at very least seen the TV film!

I think that's my favorite trilogy. The description, imagery, and characters are just so rich and vivid (that sounds very pretentious). Even the last book (Titus Alone) written whilst Peake was going mental, is amazing.

I'm a massive Orwell fan, although I've only read Animal Farm, 1984, Down and Out... and a few of his essays.

Gormenghast trilogy is at the bottom of one of five piles of books, so I doubt I'll be able to comment on that too soon.

Woop! I knew there would be at least one other!

And I really would advise you to elevate the position of the Gormenghast Trilogy to the top of one of your piles, at the very least!
It's a cracking read!

 

[pigeon_of_doom]

That books annoyed the living shit out of me, but somehow I couldn't help but like it. It made me laugh out loud a few times, and I found myself hating Holden less as I went along.

I gradually warmed to Holden too. Sure, he's a prick, but his interactions with his sister and the glimpses into the reality of his life made him hard to completely hate, for me at least.

Woop! I knew there would be at least one other!

And I really would advise you to elevate the position of the Gormenghast Trilogy to the top of one of your piles, at the very least!
It's a cracking read!

I'd love to move Gormenghast up my list, but I'm unfamiliar with the whole Modernist artistic agenda, nevermind the branch of it that Peake explored, so I'd rather read something I've got a stronger grasp on. Also, as I'm doing English Lit at uni, leisure reading time is scarce, and that trilogy looks quite big. I'll probably read a bit of it soon and adjust its position in my reading list according to my impression. Thanks for prompting a reshuffle of reading priorities.

Also, there's got to be more Orwell fans around here somewhere.

 

[maninahat]

So, fellow Escapists, let's have a literary discussion. I'm not talkin' your in between meals snack type genre fiction, but real literary achievements. I figure that among all the inanity there needs to be at least one intelligent conversation.

So, what's your favorite piece of literature? Try to stick with classics, and these can include modern breaks such as the Dune series by Frank Herbert or Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkein. Okay. I'll go first.

Personally, I really enjoy humorous types of literature the most, such as things like the Canterbury Tales or Mark Twain. However, I really enjoy a good bit of fantasy, so Lord of the Rings is up there, too. So that's what I like. So in regards to an actual discussion?

Let's see. . . I really think that LOTR is a major building block of modern fantasy as it is today. Just about every aspect of fantasty literature uses components from Tolkein's work. Elves, dwarves, goblins, magic, etc., etc. all make their way in there in some way or another. Without something like the Lord of the Rings, fantasy literature, and indeed video games, would be drastically different. Anybody care to voice their opinion? It is a discussion after all.

If you like the humourous stuff, I recommend The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling".

Ignoring the inherent snobbery in dismissing all genre fiction (except for the pioneers of some genres), I tend not to have a "favourite" book of all time anymore. The most recent one I read which I really liked was The Minotaur takes a Cigarette Break.

I'll even provide a review of it, to encourage people to read it:

Spoiler: review

The Minotaur Takes A Cigarette Break by Steven Sherrill
In the labyrinth, Theseus confronts the Minotaur. Instead of fighting, they instead make a deal and part ways, Theseus getting the girl and the Minotaur getting his freedom. Cut to present day, and we find the Minotaur (known to his co-workers as "M") living a mundane but awkward existence in a trailer park in Carolina, trying to keep out of trouble. He only wants to make a quiet living as a restaurant cook, but will his social inadequacies and the prejudices of the locals destroy all that?

The Minotaur Takes A cigarette Break is a slice of life story, both funny and sad at the same time; Funny because of M's unusual perspective on human behaviour, sad because of his continual anxiety at not being human enough. M is the proverbial elephant in the room, with co-workers and strangers both trying to ignore/tolerate his obvious differences and it is from this that much of the tension arises. The situation is most similar to the plight of someone beset with an unsightly deformation; a kind of fictional counterpart to Joseph Merrick. The Minotaur is written in a consistently attractive language. The restaurant environment, the emotional aspects, and the visceral descriptions of M's physicality are particularly convincing. M says and does very little, his docile and silent nature emphasising his pathetic and wearying existence. The reader will quickly sympathise with M, wishing that he could receive some respite from his difficulties, perhaps even hoping that he will finally revert to his mythical feral rage and crush all those that grief him underfoot. Does M finally get what he deserves? Does he strike out for vengeance? I recommend you read this excellent little novel and find out.

 

[maninahat]

Woop! I knew there would be at least one other!

And I really would advise you to elevate the position of the Gormenghast Trilogy to the top of one of your piles, at the very least!
It's a cracking read!

Seconded. Gormenghast is one of the few fantasies I particularly like. A major reason for this is that Peake doesn't just copy the archetypes or settings of Tolkien. Peake's fantasy doesn't bother with dragons or dwarves or magic. It is a low-fantasy that uses the setting to further the story, but does not resort to generic fantasy tropes.

 

[Wadders]

That books annoyed the living shit out of me, but somehow I couldn't help but like it. It made me laugh out loud a few times, and I found myself hating Holden less as I went along.

I gradually warmed to Holden too. Sure, he's a prick, but his interactions with his sister and the glimpses into the reality of his life made him hard to completely hate, for me at least.

Woop! I knew there would be at least one other!

And I really would advise you to elevate the position of the Gormenghast Trilogy to the top of one of your piles, at the very least!
It's a cracking read!

I'd love to move Gormenghast up my list, but I'm unfamiliar with the whole Modernist artistic agenda, nevermind the branch of it that Peake explored, so I'd rather read something I've got a stronger grasp on. Also, as I'm doing English Lit at uni, leisure reading time is scarce, and that trilogy looks quite big. I'll probably read a bit of it soon and adjust its position in my reading list according to my impression. Thanks for prompting a reshuffle of reading priorities.

Also, there's got to be more Orwell fans around here somewhere.

Agreed, I found myself sympathizing more and more with him, and identifying with him as I read, which can't say much good about my life

And yes, it is a big trilogy (my copy is 953 pages to be precise ) but I reckon your idea is a good 'un. Test the waters and continue reading if it's to your tastes, or abandon it if it is not. You ought to know if it's your cupp'o tea fairly early on.

I'm doing History at Uni, and I agree that the lack of leisure reading time sucks. The amount of books I'm supposed to read for my course is inhuman, do they expect us to abandon our social lives or something? Although admittedly, I spend less time reading than I ought to, so I've got no excuse really

 

[maninahat]

Also, there's got to be more Orwell fans around here somewhere.

Orwell is perfectly good, however it gets referenced way too often. It feels like I can't open a newspaper these days without some partisan journalist screaming about "thought police" and how the next new legislation is going to bring about an "Orwellian" nightmare. Poor 1984 has been referenced so much I am sick of the sight of it. Brave New World on the other hand...that one apparently isn't on the journalisms reading list. I actually prefer Brave new World.

 

[Wadders]

Woop! I knew there would be at least one other!

And I really would advise you to elevate the position of the Gormenghast Trilogy to the top of one of your piles, at the very least!
It's a cracking read!

Seconded. Gormenghast is one of the few fantasies I particularly like. A major reason for this is that Peake doesn't just copy the archetypes or settings of Tolkien. Peake's fantasy doesn't bother with dragons or dwarves or magic. It is a low-fantasy that uses the setting to further the story, but does not resort to generic fantasy tropes.

Fuckin' A! Glad you like it too. I was barely aware it was fantasy, in all honesty. It really doesnt feel like one at all. I'm not a fan of hight fantasy really, other than LotR. Does Terry Pratchett count as High Fantasy too...?

But yeah, to me it feels more like a lavishly written history book, because it's so vivid and lifelike. I just accept the the events, places etc, rather than thinking "oh yeah, this is a fantasy book, so Imma have to suspend disbelief here" If you catch my drift...

 

[maninahat]

Anyone here a Thomas Hardy fan? It is unlikely. A few people like the books, including myself (though I think he is way better than a lot of other writers from the period - including 2/3rds of the Bronte sisters). It is his poetry that really kicks ass. There is lots of rich irony,and dark humour, often the narratives almost bordering on snarkiness.

His short stories are okay too. As miserable as the novels, but in bearable, bite sized chunks. Plenty of humour in them too.

 

[maninahat]

Woop! I knew there would be at least one other!

And I really would advise you to elevate the position of the Gormenghast Trilogy to the top of one of your piles, at the very least!
It's a cracking read!

Seconded. Gormenghast is one of the few fantasies I particularly like. A major reason for this is that Peake doesn't just copy the archetypes or settings of Tolkien. Peake's fantasy doesn't bother with dragons or dwarves or magic. It is a low-fantasy that uses the setting to further the story, but does not resort to generic fantasy tropes.

Fuckin' A! Glad you like it too. I was barely aware it was fantasy, in all honesty. It really doesnt feel like one at all. I'm not a fan of hight fantasy really, other than LotR. Does Terry Pratchett count as High Fantasy too...?

But yeah, to me it feels more like a lavishly written history book, because it's so vivid and lifelike. I just accept the the events, places etc, rather than thinking "oh yeah, this is a fantasy book, so Imma have to suspend disbelief here" If you catch my drift...

I haven't read the third book, Titus Alone. I heard he died before it was finished, so the current published version is the draft story. Have you read it? Is it worth it?

 

[Wadders]

Also, there's got to be more Orwell fans around here somewhere.

Orwell is perfectly good, however it gets referenced way too often. It feels like I can't open a newspaper these days without some partisan journalist screaming about "thought police" and how the next new legislation is going to bring about an "Orwellian" nightmare. Poor 1984 has been referenced so much I am sick of the sight of it. Brave New World on the other hand...that one apparently isn't on the journalisms reading list. I actually prefer Brave new World.

I think Brave New World is more interesting, it seems more inspired somehow. Not to say 1984 isnt a fantastic book, but BNW seems more... colorful.

And yeah I get pissed off with people saying were developing into an "Orwellian" state here in the UK. Security cameras, more police and tighter airport security does not amount to a totalitarian state. Just wish some people would get rid of their Che Guevara T-shirts and self righteousness and just accept things for what they are.

 

[AvsJoe]

Most of the novels I read aren't considered classics... yet. I generally stick with Crichton (RIP), King, Grisham, and various short stories. But I can say honestly that the best literary achievement I have read in the last little while was either "The Zombie Survival Guide" by Max Brooks (it counts, this was a heavily researched, detailed, impressive book detailing common sense under pressure) or "Why Things Go Wrong", the sequel to "The Peter Principle" by Dr. Lawrence Peter.

 

[pigeon_of_doom]

You ought to know if it's your cupp'o tea fairly early on.

I'm doing History at Uni, and I agree that the lack of leisure reading time sucks. The amount of books I'm supposed to read for my course is inhuman, do they expect us to abandon our social lives or something? Although admittedly, I spend less time reading than I ought to, so I've got no excuse really

I related to Holden too. I'm an embarrassment of a human being... the fictional character I've related to the most in my life was FFVIII's Squall.

As for Gormenghast, seeing I own the trilogy now, it better be my cuppa tea.

And I'm starting to read nearer to the amount I should be, but I'm too lazy to make any legitimate complaint yet. I will around exam time when I'm stuck reading half the course's reading list in a fortnight though.

And btw, Pratchett is set in a high fantasy world but I'd label it a comic fantasy. It's too funny for one thing, and too concerned with mirroring the social and ethical predicaments of this world to qualify as genuine high-fantasy imo.

Also, there's got to be more Orwell fans around here somewhere.

Orwell is perfectly good, however it gets referenced way too often. It feels like I can't open a newspaper these days without some partisan journalist screaming about "thought police" and how the next new legislation is going to bring about an "Orwellian" nightmare. Poor 1984 has been referenced so much I am sick of the sight of it.

I certainly agree regarding over-reference. He just happened to coin some snappy terms which are predictably abused by journalists trying to sound somewhat erudite. Although, the ubiquity of these references just testifies to his influence imo. I don't see him as this visionary prophet that the media tries to portray him to justify their usage of his terms, although he was a remarkably insightful man.

Anyone here a Thomas Hardy fan? It is unlikely. A few people like the books, including myself (though I think he is way better than a lot of other writers from the period - including 2/3rds of the Bronte sisters). It is his poetry that really kicks ass. There is lots of rich irony,and dark humour, often the narratives almost bordering on snarkiness.

His short stories are okay too. As miserable as the novels, but in bearable, bite sized chunks. Plenty of humour in them too.

I read some of his poetry recently and loved it. Guy had a great sense of rhythm (Although what did I expect of a poem concerning dancing?) and his trademark pessimism, which was overwhelming in the one short story I read, was counterbalanced by the poetry's brevity.

Ok, my posts are steadily growing way too big. Been a while since there was a literature thread on the site I participated in, if that's an excuse.