The Stone Book Quartet - the most perfect book I have ever read. What is your perfect book?

[HumphreyCobbler]

The Stone Book Quartet is beautifully written. There are no wasted words. It means more to me than I can say. It lives with me and informs the way in which I view the world.

I would love to know some of your perfect books, then I can read them myself.

I think I have two. First A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth. One review says 'Make time for this book and it will keep you company for the rest of your life' and that sums it up perfectly.

Also Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood. She is an impeccable and beautiful writer and this book combines that with a milieu that I love (historical) and subject matter and themes that I never get tired of (the unreliability of memory and other people's viewpoints, 'reality', women's lot).

Thanks for that LadyCLarice - I actually own A Suitable Boy so I can get right on with reading that one

Hope you enjoy it!

I think of these two as perfect books:

The Idea of Perfection by Kate Grenville

Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates

They're not necessarily my favourite books but they are perfect.

yes - it is interesting that the books we consider the best are not always our favourites.

TSBQ fulfills both functions for me but it is the only one.

Thanks KatharineClifton.