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Original poster

Right-I'm sick of Booker shortlist fiction-so help me, post your all time favourite work of classic fiction

238 replies

DarrellRivers · 09/01/2008 13:36

Ann Enright finished me off finally with the dross that is called 'The Gathering'
So I decided to start reading some more classic works of fiction.
Am currently reading Nana by Zola, it's great [bit suprised]

At least these people seem to be able to write cracking tales (and not just emotional vomit)
I think I read most classic works of fiction when I was a teenager -ie Jane Austen, when I was too young to appreciate anything about life.

So post what should i read next, and what you loved about it.I think anything published in last 20 years should not be allowed but exceptions may be permitted.

OP posts:
Califrau · 09/01/2008 15:04

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Original poster
DarrellRivers · 09/01/2008 15:04

Someone suggested that to me over Christmas bundle

OP posts:
bundle · 09/01/2008 15:05

I know it's not a classic, but it's really well written for such a young writer and incredibly informative about a period of recent history I knew nothing about.

ZippiBabes · 09/01/2008 15:07

i was only kidding my sweets

i am just list making

and in the process unconvincing myself re my book cull i started

Member of the Wedding Carson mccullers

The Betrothed is an italian novel, historical novel when it was written a big panoramic dramatic novel..may be a bit of a long time earlier pre cursor to magical realism (you can say nay to that if you wish may have to re read and see if that idea holds up)

Original poster
DarrellRivers · 09/01/2008 15:07

Am definitely lacking in Italian fiction [shame]
The closest I have is Michael Dibdena dn his Italian detective and Italo Calvino's very confusing swirling books

OP posts:
Cappuccino · 09/01/2008 15:08

Clarissa

that'll keep you busy

ZippiBabes · 09/01/2008 15:08

more modernly there is a book called Hopscotch by someone

Original poster
DarrellRivers · 09/01/2008 15:09

Don't cull too hard

I can only get rid of thrillers or crap holiday fiction from my books
DH just shakes head

OP posts:
ZippiBabes · 09/01/2008 15:10

Julio Cortazar wrote Hospcotch

Notyummy · 09/01/2008 15:26

Another vote for F Scott Fitzgerald. Also 'Lolita': Nabokov.
Also second the Wilkie Collins suggestion. 'The Woman in White' is fab and very atmospheric.

Notyummy · 09/01/2008 15:26

Another vote for F Scott Fitzgerald. Also 'Lolita': Nabokov.
Also second the Wilkie Collins suggestion. 'The Woman in White' is fab and very atmospheric.

Califrau · 09/01/2008 15:33

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Notyummy · 09/01/2008 15:33

I have no idea how that happened...but just take it as two

redadmiral · 09/01/2008 15:53

Another vote for Updike - the 'Rabbit' series is one of my all-time faves. I actually thought 'The Gathering' was really good, and I think her previous book 'Making Babies - Stumbling into Motherhood' was the best book I've ever read about becoming a mother - and SO funny.

TsarChasm · 09/01/2008 16:02

Don't forget Colette. I love those norty Claudine stories. X rated Enid Blyton.

When I first read them I was quite young - I couldn't quite understand what all the kissing was about. We didn't go round doing that at my school. I just thought they must all get along really well.

It wasn't until I read them again later that I realised they were all at it

jumpyjan · 09/01/2008 16:02

How about:

Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
Of Mice & Men - John Steinbeck
Staying On - Paul Scott
The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
Any Evelyn Waugh

kittylouise · 09/01/2008 16:05

reading the above posts makes me think I should read Jane Eyre again (remember frisbeeing it across the room in hatred when I was about 14)

My faves:

Vanity Fair - Becky Sharp THE best character
Pride and Prejudice
Middlemarch
Silas Marner
The Age if Innocence and Buccanneers (Buccanneers unfinished, Wharton died I think, but what was written was beautiful)
Washington Square
Vilette (the only Bronte sisters book I have ever enjoyed)

dontwanttogetoutofbed · 09/01/2008 16:09

jude the obscure

ahundredtimes · 09/01/2008 17:35

here Is really good and absorbing.

KrippledKerryMum · 09/01/2008 17:48

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FrannyandZooey · 09/01/2008 17:49

Oh no Jude is wonderful, absolutely wonderful

FrannyandZooey · 09/01/2008 17:54

my other favourites are

Madame Bovary
Candide
Room with a View
Great Expectations
Franny and Zooey (not sure if a classic but we can sneak it in)

wheresthehamster · 09/01/2008 18:20

Others that haven't been mentioned

Titus Groan - Mervyn Peake
North and South - Elizabeth Gaskell
Whisky Galore - Compton McKenzie

sasquatch · 09/01/2008 22:19

One of my favourites is The Counterfeiters
Andre Gide.

pollywobbledoodle · 09/01/2008 22:40

another one for owen meany!

joseph heller's catch 22 and closing time (but even better than those is...God Knows)

margaret atwood's handmaids tale ( and can i sneak in a future classic by her: the penelopiad )

john fowles; the magus

somerset maugham; cider with rosie

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