Talk

On the basis that it's a book read at school as part of the English GCSE (or at least it was in my day) can you choose some more that fit that criteria?

Such as Lord of the Flies.

I don't know what they read now but it can't be hard to find out.

Never read Lord of the Flies - thanks, goi g to put it in my basket!

In the same vein, of 20th century classics John Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath or East of Eden or for something shorter Cannery Row.

How about George Orwell? 1984, Animal Farm, both excellent, Down And Out in Paris and London - stomach-churning in places (Paris hotel kitchens), but excellent too.

If it's the Southern voice/and or coming of age theme, see this:

www.goodreads.com/list/show/18709.If_you_liked_To_Kill_a_Mockingbird_try_

Another vote for The Grapes of Wrath here. One of the best books I've ever read.

Jane Eyre. The original and the best.

South Riding by Winifred holtby
Testament of Youth
Kashmir shawl by rosie Thomas
anything by Helen Dunmore
THe poisonwood bible

Entertaining and beautifully-written book with a message:
The Scarlet Petal and the White by Michel Faber

Dog, Crimson petal not scarlet

Lord of the Flies is superb.

I'm trying to think of books which are fairly short and easy-ish reads (I mean as in engaging and pertinently written here), but pretty well written and having something to say for themselves. Not all of these are entirely great (imvho) but some of them might be just what you're looking for:

The Colour Purple
The Great Gatsby
Some Raymond Chandler - start with The Big Sleep
The Catcher in the Rye
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Of Mice and Men
The Road
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Slaughterhouse Five
All Quiet on the Western Front (this is stunningly good)

Somerset Maugham writes very well, try the short stories.