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Original poster

Legal/Morality book suggestions please?

32 replies

PippityPop · 08/06/2016 21:01

Two of my favourite novels are Gulliver's Travels & Bleak House.

I'll be starting a law master's in September and going on a solo break in August so would love any suggestions on novels I could take with me that will get me in the mood to come back and get started Smile

CakeBrewChocolate in advance, thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
PippityPop · 11/06/2016 11:29

Thank you for those suggestions, sadik. I did study the Screwtape Letters at uni but only sections so that could be a good one to return to under a different perspective. I found myself constantly scribbling down quotes I loved whilst reading it, such a beautiful piece of work.
The Dispossessed looks very interesting, I've never really ventured into sci-fi (after being left a jumpy mess from reading The Road). So will maybe try that from the comforts of my own bed in case I end up spooked.

My book order is now placed Smile I have:
A Case of Conscience
The Dreyfus Affair
The Mill on the Floss (excited!)
Tess of the D's (for old times' sake)

And I'll be trying the Screwtape Letters (in full) and The Dispossessed when I return from hols. I feel like a kid at Christmas putting in a book order, it's so bloody exciting!

Thank you for your help, wonderful ppl Smile

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KindDogsTail · 09/06/2016 22:29

It is a very interesting idea of yours Pippity.
In The Mill on the Floss the legal part is not the most important - however, as you haven't read it yet...it's only one of the greatest novels ever written!

Sadik · 09/06/2016 21:47

Morality - what about the Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis if you've not read them, I find them really interesting even though I'm not remotely religious.

The Dispossessed by Ursula le Guin is an interesting attempt to describe an anarchist society with no laws or government (within the frame of a sci-fi story), so might be interesting as a basis for thinking about if/why we need laws.

Original poster
PippityPop · 09/06/2016 15:45

Wow, thank you for such a detailed reply!

I read An Officer and a Spy, which is based on The Dreyfus Affair, and I thoroughly enjoyed that but somehow missed reading the novel on the actual case and just looked it up. So that is definitely added to my wish list!

Loved Tess of the D's, so will give The Winslow Boy a try too. Hardy and the Law could come in very handy for my dissertation Smile

The joys of being an English Lit grad included both Crime & Punishment and The Merchant of Venice. I tried so hard to get into Crime and Punishment but just couldn't Blush I appreciate it but definitely don't fancy taking it on a holiday Wink The Merchant of Venice on the other hand, I could happily read again. Despite my first degree, I'd never actually heard of The Mill on the Floss Shock sounds like just the kind of novel I would enjoy though.

Thank you so much for that, lots for me to be getting on with there Smile I appreciate you taking the time to share those recommendations, they're exactly what I was looking for.

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KindDogsTail · 09/06/2016 13:13

I have not personally read this book but looked it up. The case was very famous.
The Dreyfus Affair

www.amazon.co.uk/Dreyfus-Affair-Infamous-Miscarriage-Justice/dp/1408801396

This was another famous case - The Winslow Boy

www.amazon.co.uk/Winslow-full-introduction-Drama-Classics/dp/1854594672

I heard of this book when reading about the rape of Tess in Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy. You might find it interesting to read both and think about what the law now would be.

www.bookdepository.com/book/9780141439594?redirected=true&selectCurrency=GBP&w=AFC7AU99ZT6Q71A8Z3T5&gclid=CNK1zvjzms0CFYIW0wodhb.

www.psbooks.co.uk/products/literature-fiction/literary-criticism/item/thomas-hardy-and-the-law

The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot
shows the patriarch of the family destroyed by a court case.

www.amazon.co.uk/Mill-Floss-Penguin-Classics-ebook/dp/B002RI9HL6

Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky
is definitely about morality
www.penguin.co.uk/books/177606/crime-and-punishment/

The Merchant of Venice Shakespeare -justice vs, the spirit of the law,
mercy etc
www.amazon.co.uk/Merchant-Venice-William-Shakespeare/dp/1420926209
I don't know which edition would be best for you though.

Original poster
PippityPop · 09/06/2016 12:52

Oooooo what an interesting suggestion! I don't tend to read much sci-fi but definitely happy to give it a go. The aliens sound very much like my favourites in Gulliver's Travels, the Houyhnhnms, so will be giving this one a try Smile Thanks cdtaylor.

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cdtaylornats · 08/06/2016 22:43

A Case of Conscience by James Blish - Jesuit scientist on an alien world finds his beliefs challenged by the aliens and believes his soul may be in danger.