Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
What we're reading

Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

Original poster

Recommendations please for noble-minded and literary nephew 20

67 replies

traviata · 06/10/2017 08:52

My DN is captivated by noble tales of self-discovery and a search for authenticity, especially against a wild or epic backdrop, and he is nurturing a dream of discovering life's truths through 'life on the road' instead of buckling down to his mundane studies. Americana features strongly.

What else might he enjoy reading?

He has read all of Cormac McCarthy, William Maxwell, Faulkner, 'Into the Wild' by Jon Krakauer, 'Stoner', 'On the Road' & 'Motorcycle Diaries', George Orwell 'Down & Out in Paris & London', and he has probably read Camus and Sartre.

OP posts:
BestIsWest · 08/10/2017 00:03

I should have read the thread !

BestIsWest · 08/10/2017 00:02

This Thing of Darkness.
All Quiet on the Western Front
Anything by Steinbeck.

Bless him.

minsmum · 07/10/2017 23:47

Has he read A Testament of Youth by Vera Brittean

Original poster
traviata · 07/10/2017 20:56

certainly lots about the meaning of life there BrandnewHouse

(but is there a touch of the watching paint dry about it?...must confess I haven't read any, only reviews)

OP posts:
BrandNewHouse · 07/10/2017 20:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
traviata · 07/10/2017 20:44

Thank for such amazing suggestions, I will work my way through them all.

OP posts:
elspethmcgillicuddy · 07/10/2017 17:28

How about The Way Winter Comes by Sherri Simpson. It is an extraordinarily well written series of long articles about life in Alaska. There is one about spending time with wolf hunters and another about spending time alone on an island. Highly highly recommend and he is unlikely to have heard of it/read it plus nice to get a book by a woman in there!

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 07/10/2017 17:16

Yes to This Thing of Darkness

Has he read Gatsby?

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 07/10/2017 17:15

Into the Silence
The Worst Journey in the World
Into Thin Air
Travels with Charley

CountFosco · 07/10/2017 12:39

What about Georgina Howell's book about Gertrude Bell 'Queen of the Desert'. Some amazing true life adventure.

SofiaAmes · 07/10/2017 00:15

Anything by Mark Twain...start with Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer.

Original poster
traviata · 06/10/2017 21:43

Fabulous, thank you.

OP posts:
SofiaAmes · 06/10/2017 16:08

And the Ass Saw the Angel by Nick Cave
A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole

Ttbb · 06/10/2017 16:05

He will probably love Steinbeck-that's about as American as they come-East of Eden is where I would start him off.

KeithLeMonde · 06/10/2017 16:04

The Colour by Rose Tremain
The Secret River by Kate Grenville

KeithLeMonde · 06/10/2017 16:02

Passage to Juneau by Jonathon Raban
This Thing of Darkness by Harry Thompson

mareemallory · 06/10/2017 13:11

Yes yes yes to Nan Shepherd!

Also,
Wanderlust by Rebecca Solnit
Anything by Robert Macfarlane - The Old Ways is my favourite but he might be more interested in The Wild Places

Enb76 · 06/10/2017 12:58

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry is pretty awesome
also:
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay - Michael Chabon
Half of a Yellow Sun - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
King Rat - James Clavell (also Shogun)
The Power of One - Bryce Courtenay
I'd probably put in The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand & Long Day's Journey into Night by Harold Bloom just cos 20 somethings should read them.

Dinosauratemydaffodils · 06/10/2017 12:47

Nan Shepherd's the Living Mountain.

Saffronwblue · 06/10/2017 11:52

Robyn Davidson , Tracks. very powerful . A young woman walks across the Australian desert with camels.

Richard Flanagan The Narrow Road to the Deep North.

or for a complete change of tone, the comic travel writer Tim Moore is really funny and sets off on quite bizarre adventures. Frost on My Moustache is a joy.

Your DN sounds lovely.

Original poster
traviata · 06/10/2017 11:46

some brilliant suggestions, thank you

OP posts:
babybarrister · 06/10/2017 11:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MyBrilliantDisguise · 06/10/2017 11:35

He has to read John Steinbeck! East of Eden and Grapes of Wrath are amazing.

Cakescakescakes · 06/10/2017 11:34

Paul Theroux’s travel writing - classic vintage travel literature.

Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell

Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick - fabulous award winning book about contemporary life in North Korea. One of the best most eye opening things I’ve ever read.

ChiefClerkDrumknott · 06/10/2017 11:04

The Sherston trilogy by Siegfried Sassoon. Based on his own life experience pre-, during and post- WW1. It starts as the story of a fairly idle, privileged, upper class man with vivid descriptions of hunting and cricket, and follows him through the horrors of war to a recovery hospital and his PTSD. Foxhunting man is one of my favourite books, it made me cry the first time I read it. I try to read it this time of year every year