What is the most beautiful book you have ever read?

[umbrellabird]

I've had a tough year and just want to surround myself in good things...

[imip]

www.goodreads.com/book/show/1406870.The_Service_of_Clouds

I don't read all that often, was not brought up in the kind of house that an outraged reading for pleasure, I now have 4 young dc and don't have time. I read this book about 15 years ago, at first I tried and put it away, then I came back to it a couple of years later. It is absolutely beautiful. Not really all that happy though. But beautiful...

[StairsInTheNight]

The summer book, Tove Jannsson. Or always coming home by Ursula le Guin.

[Takver]

Specifically beautiful, I think it would have to be The House of the Spirits, by Isabel Allende.

My other choice, though very, very different, would be Mansfield Park, as a work of absolute perfection in writing and characterisation.

I would also agree with Always Coming Home as a good book for a hard time when you need inspiration and encouragement.

[LottieMumofWilfJenkins]

For me it is Flowers For Mrs Harris by Paul Gallico. It is about a 1950's London "Charlady" who sets her mind on something and goes all out to get it. It was a truly beautiful book!

[Kakaka]

Hunting midnight by Richard Zimler. Just beautiful.

[MissPB]

The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy is beautiful. The imagery she uses and her choice of words is incredible. It is a beautiful but sad story so not sure if it will be a good time to read it.

[GrouchyKiwi]

The Blue Flower by Penelope Fitzgerald. About the German poet Novalis.

I also find AS Byatt's Possession a beautiful read, as well as The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery, and The Humans by Matt Haig.

When I'm feeling low, or things have been going badly, though, I almost always turn to Georgette Heyer to cheer me up.

[umbrellabird]

Oh thank you so much everyone I am writing them all down, I quite like and am comforted by 'sad but beautiful' so those novels are fine by me. We are slowly coming into our Summer so I am looking forward to trying all these titles under the sun umbrella on the beach!??

[Carterama]

5 people you meet in heaven, lovely book, can't recall the name of the author though

[Muddlewitch]

The Five People You Meet in Heaven is by Mitch Albom and I totally agree it's lovely.

[smokeandfluff]

Mansfield park is an amazing book

Lark rise to candleford is beautiful, but a little sad at the end

I know they are children's books but I love the anne of avonlea books and little house on the prairie books if I'm feeling a bit low

[Fayrazzled]

I think the Irish writer, Niall Williams writes beautifully. I'd recommend Four Letters of Love or. As it is in Heaven.

[Fayrazzled]

Or Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro. Gorgeous.

[ImperialBlether]

Lottie, Mrs Harris had the Dior dress, didn't she? I loved those books.

[DaPrincessBride]

The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy is the most beautifully written book I have read - the story itself is fascinating but quite a tough read, but the writing is just stunning.

[IsabellaofFrance]

Blood of Flowers, although I cant remember who its by.

Its about a young girl growing up in 17th Century Iran. Its sad at times, but very, very beautifully descriptive.

[ArcheryAnnie]

"Remains Of The Day" by Kazuo ishiguro is one of the most beautifully-written books I have ever read. (though it is quite short.)
www.goodreads.com/book/show/28921.The_Remains_of_the_Day

"My dear I wanted to tell you" by Louisa Young is gorgeous.
www.goodreads.com/book/show/10170996-my-dear-i-wanted-to-tell-you

I've just read "We are all completely beside ourselves" by Karen Joy Fowler and loved it.

Also seconding Ursula le Guin, although I'd go for Left Hand Of Darkness.

[LottieMumofWilfJenkins]

Imperial Yes. I love all of them but FFMH is my favourite!!
They made a film of it al few years ago called "Mrs 'arris goes to Paris, with Angela Lansbury. They are currently remaking it with Twiggy.................

[FreckledLeopard]

For beautiful writing and a poignant story I think "Tender is the Night" is one of the most wonderful books I've read.

[MrsCosmopilite]

Another vote for Possession here, but also, Precious Bane by Mary Webb. Her writing is absorbing and poetic, and transforms a simple love story to a thing of beauty.

[Deux]

For a beautiful, magical read I often return to Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel (?)

Also love Edith Wharton's The Age of Innocence.

[Patienceisapparentlyavirtue]

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson. Achingly beautifully written