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Original poster

What is the most beautiful book you have ever read?

232 replies

umbrellabird · 21/10/2014 06:01

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

OP posts:
WillowWoods · 21/10/2014 23:17

Chitra Banarjee Divakaruni -Sister of my heart

Whatdoiknowanyway · 21/10/2014 23:15

Agree with so many of these. I would add Huckleberry Finn for some wonderful descriptions. It can be read and re read.

Princessdeb · 21/10/2014 23:11

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness is a simply stunning book. It is very challenging emotionally as it deals with a child losing his mother but it is written with astonishing sensitivity and unflinching honesty. If at all possible get the hard copy with the original illustrations by Jim Kay which are astonishing in their own right and add hugely to your experience of the story. And whatever you do don't read the last two chapters in a public place. I was a sobbing mess when I finished it but felt completely renewed. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Sleepwhenidie · 21/10/2014 22:54

Another vote for The God of Small Things, time for a reread for me!

Also, If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things is just beautiful, it sneaks up and completely seduces you. Wonderful.

Bolshybookworm · 21/10/2014 22:49

A couple that others have already said- I capture the castle, the age of innocence.

I also love Austerlitz, by WG Sebald. Its about an architectural historian and has lots of beautiful descriptions of London. It's about the kinder transports though, so quite sad.

Also, the pastures of heaven by John Steinbeck- several interweaving tales all set in the same valley. John Steinbeck captures California so perfectly- the light, air and colours. I've read it many times.

lalalonglegs · 21/10/2014 22:47

Silas Marner and Mrs Gaskell's Cousin Phillis - both are just divine. I feel shivery just thinking about them.

ephpa95 · 21/10/2014 22:31

Katrina Kenison, The Gift of an Ordinary Day. And Kathleen Jamie, Findings.
Both really healing books.

wimblehorse · 21/10/2014 22:31

The diving bell & the butterfly by jean dominique bauby.
Beautiful & memorable

TinklyLittleLaugh · 21/10/2014 22:27

Reading lovely books to my children is one of my great pleasures. DS and I have just finished Finn Family Moomintroll; I have 4 kids and have read it countless times. Tove Jansson is absolutely matchless in capturing the very essence of motherhood. I get all choked up at regular intervals because it is just so lovely.

Wotsitsareafterme · 21/10/2014 22:25

Agree with voyage of the dawn treader all the Narnia books are amazing but my favourite remains the horse and his boy Grin

I nominate russel Hoban the mouse and his child. Another older childrens book but perfect and very poignant. It's my desert island essential

giantfloorpuzzle · 21/10/2014 22:22

Yes to God of Small Things, Remains of the Day, His Dark Materials, Wind in the Willows and many more.

Also I thought The Snow Child and The Tiger's Wife were both very beautiful books. Never Let Me Go also.

Dh suggested the secret garden.

sinequanon · 21/10/2014 22:19

Never Let Me Go, Ishiguro.

nenehooo · 21/10/2014 22:14

Written on the body by Jeanette Winterson.

Spookgremlin · 21/10/2014 22:14

I'm so looking forward to just that when mine are older tinklylittlelaugh.

Quangle · 21/10/2014 22:13

Joan I love that George Herbert poem. Weirdly I think Madonna filched a bit of it for one of her pop efforts Confused

I also like a nice bit of poetry when it all gets a bit much. I have a few of those poems for very day of the year anthologies which are great for when you don't know if you want George Herbert or Ogden Nash.

Also love a children's book reread - the Railway Children, Wind in the Willows, Black Beauty all fab.

NerfHerder · 21/10/2014 22:07

Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson. It's pure poetry.

plus3 · 21/10/2014 22:05

Would like to add The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. Read it over the summer & am still thinking about it. She writes about loss beautifully

CMOTDibbler · 21/10/2014 22:02

I agree on the Phillip Pullmans - I love the language and descriptions, though the Amber Spyglass is my favourite in some ways.

But for sheer beauty, I can never beat the Green Knowe books by Lucy Boston.

plus3 · 21/10/2014 22:01

I have never met anyone else who has read The god of small things! It is always on my recommended list for others
Would also second Captain Corelli...

TinklyLittleLaugh · 21/10/2014 21:47

Oh I recently read Wind in the Willows to DS2(8). I asked him if he wanted me to skip the more descriptive bits. He absolutely insisted on having every word. It was magical.

Spookgremlin · 21/10/2014 21:29

Yes Captain Corelli, Little Women, and all of those tumbletumble

Also Wind in the Willows. The descriptions of the river and the Piper at The Gates of Dawn sequence.

educationrocks1 · 21/10/2014 21:27

Silas Marner by George Elliot is also a beautiful read.

TimeWarp · 21/10/2014 21:24

Can I recommend a non-fiction? I love A Place of my Own by Michael Pollan. He's a beautifully restful and precise writer. The book is about him deciding to build a writing hut, and it moves back and forward between the description of designing and building the hut, and the author's research into architecture and the cultural meanings of buildings.

LemonDrizzleTwunt · 21/10/2014 21:22

Captain Corelli's Mandolin. Lauhpghed and cried all the way through. The imagery is divine.

tumbletumble · 21/10/2014 21:21

I'd like to add

Atonement
I Capture the Castle
The Power and the Glory
Pride and Prejudice.