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Original poster

The most under-rated books you have read - recommendations please

112 replies

TondelayoSchwarzkopf · 09/11/2010 18:31

OK - they are doing overrated books over in AIBU - let's do under-rated because I'm bored of being negative.

These are my favourites that need dusting off and distributing to everyone instead of the usual McEwan / Franzen / Orange / Booker / TV adaptations snooze-fests.

Main Street - Sinclair Lewis.
Beautiful book about a young woman's growing disillusion with suburban life in the midwest.

Angel - Elizabeth Taylor
I know she is raved about by those who know but it's time for her to be famous and exalted. Amazing book about an Edwardian romantic novelist who is totally deluded.

Damon Runyan short stories - hilarious vivid and brilliant - set in the New York of the 1920s and full of gangsters and molls.

The Sheltering Sky - Paul Bowles
Frankly weird but engrossing tale of travellers crossing the Sahara.

Please dig out all of the above and let me know your secret favourites.

OP posts:
Original poster
TondelayoSchwarzkopf · 09/11/2010 20:58

Zero I love I'll Go to Bed at Noon! It is totally amazing and sad and realistic.

OP posts:
jybay · 09/11/2010 20:01

I blush Blush.

Have read it at least 20 times so no excuse for not having memorised it by now!

Like all really strong-minded women, on whom everybody flops, she adored being bossed about. It was so restful

Monison · 09/11/2010 19:50

Anything by Elizabeth Bowen; in particular, 'The House in Paris' and 'Eva Trout'. The woman's a genius!

ZeroMinusZero · 09/11/2010 19:46

'I'll Go To Bed At Noon' by Gerard Woodward. OK, it was Booker shortlisted so it's not that underrated but I have never met anyone who had read it, let alone likes it! I love it. It's a very naturalistically drawn depiction of a family of alcoholics in 1970s London. Superb characterisation.

ElephantsAndMiasmas · 09/11/2010 19:41

I am in awe of your CCF knowledge as well :o

jybay · 09/11/2010 19:39

Love Fainthearted Feminist - am forever being reminded of bits of it, like the house splitting into different time zones because she is up with the baby whereas the teenagers won't get up till lunch.

ElephantsAndMiasmas · 09/11/2010 19:20

...Opened my eyes to the domestic drudgery angle I should say. Read it as a teenager.

ElephantsAndMiasmas · 09/11/2010 19:19

One of the most brilliant books that I've never heard anyone else mention is Letters of a Fainthearted Feminist by Jill Tweedie. Often get reminded of it on MN because it's the correspondence from a woman with older teenage kids and a small baby, who finds herself in domestic drudgery, writing to her sister who is a dungaree-wearing Greenham-camping feminist. Very funny and opened my eyes.

Original poster
TondelayoSchwarzkopf · 09/11/2010 19:17

What an awesome title "Who Was Changed and Who Was Dead". Must dig it out.

OP posts:
fruitshootingrockets · 09/11/2010 19:11

About 18 years ago I read Maddie by Clare Rayner...I really loved it, haven't read it again for fear of it not being as good!

jybay · 09/11/2010 19:10

Agree re Saki & Runyan.

Who was Changed and Who was Dead by Barbara Comyns
A random Oxfam bookshop buy but fantastic.

ElephantsAndMiasmas · 09/11/2010 19:02

Saki - Short Stories. Cannot understand why everyone hasn't heard of him. Sharp and hilarious.