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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...

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Ragwort · 21/10/2014 18:54

Remains of the Day - a sad book but the style of writing is wonderful.

OverAndAbove · 21/10/2014 18:52

Actually The Darling Buds of May series also by HE Bates is all good; and The Number One Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith has beautiful descriptions of Botswana.

Oh and The English a Patient, but obviously it's very sad...

OverAndAbove · 21/10/2014 18:49

I came on to say Possession and Like Water for Chocolate; also Captain Corelli's Mandolin and A Moment in Time (HE Bates)

kelper · 21/10/2014 18:44

Sara alexi's Greek village series are lovely to read, especially the first one. You could be in Greece smelling that lovely warm air.

IndridCold · 21/10/2014 18:25

H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald. It's non-fiction, but beautiful and inspiring.

Thewhingingdefective · 21/10/2014 18:24

The two I was going to say have been mentioned:

The God of Small Things
and
The Summer Book

Yes to Like Water For Chocolate too.

I will throw in A Month in the Country and I Heard The Owl Call My Name too.

hackmum · 21/10/2014 17:25

Strangely, I was also going to suggest The Summer Book by Tove Jansson. I'm sure there must be others, though - it's a tough question. Maybe Katherine Mansfield's short stories?

LaQueenIsKickingThroughLeaves · 21/10/2014 16:56

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TheFamilyJammies · 21/10/2014 12:46

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Patienceisapparentlyavirtue · 21/10/2014 12:41

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson. Achingly beautifully written Smile

Deux · 21/10/2014 10:55

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.

MrsCosmopilite · 21/10/2014 10:52

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.

FreckledLeopard · 21/10/2014 10:52

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

LottieMumofWilfJenkins · 21/10/2014 10:50

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.................

ArcheryAnnie · 21/10/2014 10:49

"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.

IsabellaofFrance · 21/10/2014 10:48

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.

DarceyBustle · 21/10/2014 10:45

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DaPrincessBride · 21/10/2014 10:42

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.

ImperialBlether · 21/10/2014 10:39

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

Fayrazzled · 21/10/2014 10:38

Or Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro. Gorgeous.

Fayrazzled · 21/10/2014 10:36

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

smokeandfluff · 21/10/2014 10:11

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

Muddlewitch · 21/10/2014 10:03

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

Carterama · 21/10/2014 09:37

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

Original poster
umbrellabird · 21/10/2014 09:34

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!??

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