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Original poster

Mindblowingly good books

80 replies

LePruneDeMaTante · 09/12/2011 17:09

There's so much 'meh' writing out there, and it's such a big, competitive industry, but which book have you found absolutely brilliant?

Not just 'quite good if a little light or contrived' but seriously impressive for whatever reason.

OP posts:
FleetwoodandFairycakes · 09/12/2011 18:47

I love Wild Swans - Jung Chang

Re-read Jane Eyre again recently actually and loved it now that I am a bit older - so passionate I definitely do not have a crush on Mr Rochester

The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood.

Tyr · 09/12/2011 18:47

"The Master and Margerita" is astonishing and reveals something new every time you read it.
"The illusionist" by Anita Mason is wonderful too.
For non-fiction Nietzsche's " Twilight of the idols" and the Antichrist" are vital if you appreciate being challenged and forced to question everything (which is probably as close to "mindblowing" as you can get)

joanofarchitrave · 09/12/2011 18:45

Really thought A Visit from the Goon Squad was wonderful this year. Though it may have helped that i knew nothing about it when I opened it.

The Art of Captaincy by Mike Brearley.

notyummy · 09/12/2011 18:42

The Long Song - Andrea Levy

Into thin Air

Lolita- although I think I would struggle more with the subject matter now I have a dD. The language is amazing though.

SecretSquirrel193 · 09/12/2011 18:41

I shall watch this with interest.. I will read anything but the stuff on my kindle will NEVER be admitted to :D

LaVengeance · 09/12/2011 18:36

Fingersmith -Sarah Waters

Disgrace - Coetzee

Music & Silence - Rose Tremain

Year of Wonders -Geraldine Brooks

Rebecca - Du Maurier

Agree with Grapes of Wrath, Wolf Hall, Never Let Me Go, POisonwood Bible...all superb.

MayorNaze · 09/12/2011 18:31

a town like alice

amazing

tummytickler · 09/12/2011 18:26

The Chosen - Chaim Potok
The Wanting Seed - Anthony Burgess
Thinner - Stephen King

marthastew · 09/12/2011 18:24

Wolf Hall

suburbandream · 09/12/2011 18:21

I've been meaning to read Remains of the Day for ages, I bought it after reading Never Let me Go but haven't got round to it - must do so.

Prolesworth · 09/12/2011 17:59

another vote for The Remains of the Day

and

The Quincunx by Charles Palliser
Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates

suburbandream · 09/12/2011 17:56

The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy is one of the best books I've ever read.

Original poster
LePruneDeMaTante · 09/12/2011 17:51

It was The Grapes of Wrath that inspired this thread - it was on another thread and had clearly made an impression on many.
(Plus Rich Hall did a programme recently about American road movies and the film version was included - I totally recommend him, he's bright and interesting about film, as well as sarky of course.)

OP posts:
Original poster
LePruneDeMaTante · 09/12/2011 17:49

Candytuft that is rather lovely of you Smile
I know my FIL has everything Joyce has ever written because I tidied his bookshelves once in order to avoid talking to MIL so I can get my hands on it really easily.

OP posts:
pommedenoel · 09/12/2011 17:47

Dubliners had a profound effect on me when I did it for A Level.

I would say The Grapes of Wrath, In Cold Blood and anything by Lionel Shriver for things read voluntarily.

IndigoBell · 09/12/2011 17:41

The Poisonwood Bible

The Red Tent

candytuft63 · 09/12/2011 17:41

LePrune PM me and i will send you a copy of Joyces Portrait for Christmas Xmas Smile

peggyblackett · 09/12/2011 17:38

The Secret History - Donna Tart

candytuft63 · 09/12/2011 17:36

Home is also an amazingly brilliant read I agree with Cyd. I read The Shipping News just after and couldnt decide which I enjoyed more. Loved them both. Also loved Never Let Me Go. Ishiguros prose is so measured and calm, whilst dealing with really emotive issues. The Remains Of The Day made me cry it was so sad and infuriating. I lived in the story when I read it.

AlpinePony · 09/12/2011 17:34

Wally lamb's "she's come undone"
Aimee Liu's "flash house"
Robert r mccammon's "swansong"

All three have been read and re-read and will stay with me forever.

bran · 09/12/2011 17:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
LePruneDeMaTante · 09/12/2011 17:25

Out of these, I've only read half of The Crimson Petal and the White.
Already my reading list has expanded Grin

OP posts:
CydCharisse · 09/12/2011 17:23

Home by Marilynne Robinson. It is such a tour de force of character, and so moving; beautiful book.

Lark and Termite by Jayne Anne Phillips. It's as good as The Sound and the Fury, in my view, and such a powerful book about the value of all lives. So full of hope too.

Original poster
LePruneDeMaTante · 09/12/2011 17:21

I have never read any Joyce.
Blush

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candytuft63 · 09/12/2011 17:20

emotionally