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Original poster

Life-affirming novels: what do you recommend

92 replies

BugBearisBugBear · 25/04/2008 13:56

Sometimes, when I'm feeling despondent, it would be nice to have a really life-affirming novel to read.

Hope that doesn't make me sound suicidal - I'm very much NOT - but I'd like ideas of novels that make you feel glad to be alive.

OP posts:
cyanarasamba · 25/04/2008 19:33

A Town Like Alice - Neville Shute

Kathyis6incheshigh · 25/04/2008 19:29

We will have to agree to differ TrolleyDolly! You know you are the first person I have ever heard say they don't like Cold Comfort Farm - I would be interested to know, do you like the novels it's parodying (Precious Bane, Wolf Solent etc) or have you not read them? That would make a difference to how good you think it is.

Trolleydolly71 · 25/04/2008 16:28

Message withdrawn

poodlepusher · 25/04/2008 16:23

oh yes, To Kill a Mockingbird - that's a wonderful book.

artichokes · 25/04/2008 16:13

I am not really a fan of Paul Coehlo stuff. Therefore I was quite shocked to find that his book Veronika Decides to Die is not only a good read but is truly life affirming.

It is about a girl who tries to kill herself (not a good start for a life affirming novel). When she regains conciousness her psychiatrist tells her she has done so much damage that she will die in a week. The book is about how she chooses to live that week and how she discovers a life worth living. It is really uplifting and makes you realise how important it is to be who you want to be rather than who society wants you to be.

Celery · 25/04/2008 16:11

Somerset Maughan's Of Human Bondage.

arthursmum · 25/04/2008 16:11

To Kill A Mockingbird always inspires me to try walking a mile in another persons shoes.

Sunshinemummy · 25/04/2008 16:10

Fugitive Pieces by Anne Michaels.

suey2 · 25/04/2008 16:09

siddharta by hermann hesse. All about the search for enlightenment, but very simply written.

also miss pettigrew lives for a day cant remember the author about a woman down on her luck in the 30s whose luck changes coincidentally changing her life for the better

Kathyis6incheshigh · 25/04/2008 16:09

Cold Comfort Farm, because it's funny and ends with everybody going off and having fun.

Trolleydolly71 · 25/04/2008 16:07

Message withdrawn

tearinghairout · 25/04/2008 16:05

Marmaduke - I've just read The Alchemist by Paul Coelho & enjoyed it. It's short & easy to read, but makes you think.

poodlepusher · 25/04/2008 16:03

I think its going to depend very much on what you personally find life affirming, but for me I'd say the following:

The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald
As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner
The Museum Guard by Howard Norman
The Sea, the sea by John Banville
The Dubliners by James Joyce
Anything by Italo Calvino

kitkat9 · 25/04/2008 16:01

ooh barking - you're the fisrt person Ive ever seen on here recommending Paullina Simons - The Bronze Horseman is AMAZING, isn't it? Everyone I give to to adores it. The 2 sequels she did are fantastic too, have you read them?

Also loved Douglas Kennedy - The Pursuit of Happiness. It's quite sad but totally hooks you, and a wonderful story of the strength of the human spirit. Highly recommend it.

Original poster
BugBearisBugBear · 25/04/2008 14:24

actually, no, not just novels. biographies could be good.

OP posts:
barking · 25/04/2008 14:13

The Bronze Horseman - Paulina Simmons
The Power of One - Bryce Courtenay
Siddhartha - Hermann Hesse
Just novels?

marmadukescarlet · 25/04/2008 13:58

I liked The Alchemist by Paul Cohello (SP?) It is about the treasure you are looking for being right where you are.