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Original poster

Lit Fic for ME please

232 replies

Hullygully · 28/06/2013 08:38

Any recommendations? Need lots of books for hols. I want lit fiction eg I do not want Khaled Hossein, Harold Fry, JoJo Moyes etc etc (nothing wrong with them, but I don't want them).

I want Mantel/Mitchell/Houllebecq type stuff please and thank you.

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Original poster
Hullygully · 13/09/2013 08:16

Mig - I like Bailey but have only read the vignettes so far.

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Original poster
Hullygully · 13/09/2013 08:16

I kindled the silver star but not read it yet as dd has commandeered the kindle, am going to get her one of her own and put budget controls on it.

I thought the most striking part was the mum hiding the choc in the bed.

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SconeRhymesWithGone · 12/09/2013 21:13

Oh yes, The Glass Castle is great, one of my favorite memoirs ever. I reread it this summer when this thread mentioned it. I also liked Half-Broke Horses. I have a sample of Jeannette Wall's latest book The Silver Star on my kindle but have not started it yet. It has had mixed reviews.

Original poster
Hullygully · 12/09/2013 16:20

Helloooooooooooo

Read loads over the summer.

Loved the Glass Castle and Half Broke Horses as did dd.

(tries to remember the others)

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mignonette · 10/07/2013 10:59

'A Trick I Learned From Dead Men' by Kitty Aldridge is wonderful. I bought it in hardback and it's just out in PB.

Bab Yes, Charlotte Roche sounded like a young kid who has just learned about sex and is trying to shock you.

NotQuiteCockney · 06/07/2013 07:27

I already do try new things pretty often - I've had a phase of reading old stuff (on the 'it's free on the kindle' principle) of late, and found things I liked. I always have a good go at the Booker longlist, I can only think of one book on it, in the last few years, that I didn't finish. (The Finkler Question).

I also read things recommended by my oldest son, and by my husband.

EldritchCleavage · 05/07/2013 14:06

Nipping back to throw out Marie Darieusseq and Patricia Highsmith. I liked Pig Tales by the former and all the Ripley novels by the latter.

Original poster
Hullygully · 05/07/2013 08:54

hello golden

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Original poster
Hullygully · 05/07/2013 08:54

But it can be quite good if they do notquite, forces you to read things you wouldn't otherwise.

At least that's the theory I understand.

Personally, I've just filled the list with the stuff here.

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GoldenGreen · 05/07/2013 08:44

Petit Mort by Beatrice Hitchman

NotQuiteCockney · 05/07/2013 08:40

I would like to join a book club, but worry they would pick books I didn't like. [fussy]

I read one story from Contes de la Becasse, and now I'm reading King of the Badgers (Hensher) which I think was recommended on here. So far, so good.

Original poster
Hullygully · 05/07/2013 08:37

I went to a new book club last night (not entirely sure it's going to work out but hey) and recommended lots of books from here heh heh

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NotQuiteCockney · 04/07/2013 18:02

I find the kindle makes me a lot less inclined to have a giant to-read pile. And if I do have one, at least it's not gathering dust.

I get samples, all the time, and decide to buy them later. Of course, having the luxury of being able to buy books while on holiday helps a great deal - I don't have to buy them now, just in case.

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Hullygully · 04/07/2013 09:09

I have ordered the orphan master's son, janice Galloway, Eudora welty and the twin

it's got to stop

I have a disease

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Original poster
Hullygully · 04/07/2013 08:55

I have only read Houllebecq in English and I think it translates well, there are a few odd turns of phrase, but they blend well with his general oddness.

He is applalling and clearly disturbed women-wise, but I do like his ideas (on other things)

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BabCNesbitt · 03/07/2013 22:02

I enjoyed Wetlands, but I read it in German (my dodgy second language) and I'm not sure how credible the main character was - it sounded like a 30+ woman ventriloquising a teenager.

BooksandaCuppa · 03/07/2013 21:40

Pulitzer Prize, Impac Award, Governor General's Award (Canada), Booker International are some prize lists.

If you like teen/older children's fiction, the Carnegie Award longlist is worth a peruse.

BooksandaCuppa · 03/07/2013 21:39

I love Eudora Welty's short/long stories.

In fact, another general recommendation for anyone wanting to explore shorter fiction and who like American writers: The Granta Book of the American Long Story and ditto Short Story, both edited by Richard Ford. Seemingly out of print but available second hand.

SconeRhymesWithGone · 03/07/2013 21:34

On Tyler: Accidental Tourist is definitely my favorite, probably followed by Breathing Lessons (which won the Pulitzer), but I am also fond of Ladder of Years. (Woman goes on a walk one day and just keeps on walking.) I read it during a stressful time in my life and it really struck a chord.

I don't think anyone on here has mentioned Eudora Welty; Tyler has indentified her as an important influence. I have not read anything by Welty in a long time, but would definitely recommend her, especially for anyone who likes American Southern fiction. The Optimist's Daughter won the Pulitzer.

mignonette · 03/07/2013 21:32

NotQuite That book was called 'Wetlands' by Charlotte Roche. She has a second novel out now too. It is seriously, difficulty-ly pornographic in its unabashed descriptions of every one of her orifices and discharges (sorry)

NotQuiteCockney · 03/07/2013 21:30

I normally read the Booker longlist. Are there other lists people recommend?

NotQuiteCockney · 03/07/2013 21:29

Hmm, amazon seems to think it's in the same category as 50 Shades, maybe it's not even worth asking. Bleurgh.

BooksandaCuppa · 03/07/2013 21:28

The new Patrick Ness looks good too (well, always a sucker for a beautiful jacket) - The Crane Wife. As does the new Claire Messud (mentioned upthread I think).

See, that's why even though I've often bought a hardback and then not got around until reading until after the paperback's out, it doesn't matter if it's a gorgeous cover (which gets changed for a more boring paperback one). I love book design.

NotQuiteCockney · 03/07/2013 21:28

More for me to look up - I read a sample of Swamplandia! and liked it.

What is Houllebecq like in English, anyway? I have read him in French, but I wonder whether I could stand him in English. He somewhat comes across as a bit of a sexist pig. [understatement]

I am being good and reading Contes de la Becasse now, anyway.

Oh, and a random question for the lit fic people - a woman wrote a book about someone in hospital with an obsession with anal play and avocadoes I think? Yes, Wetlands. What is it like?

Original poster
Hullygully · 03/07/2013 21:19

No, hadn't known of it, will look...

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