Books on the literary end of the scale...

[DoItTooJulia]

I'm after books to read that are more literary than chick lit.

I don't mind popular, I like a bloody good story, don't mind historical. I don't actually know if I am describing my tastes well (I don't need 'showy' books iyswim, but I just don't want to read trash).

I find working through things like booker long lists too hit and miss.

I've recently read: Sebastian Faulks where my heart used to beat it was ok. I enjoyed Bel Canto and liked Paula McClains the rising sun. I've got The surgeon of crowthorne lined up and Wilkie Collins Woman in White but after that I'm stuck.

Any ideas?

[SatsukiKusakabe]

I read it over 3 days when I was ill and still found it a slog in the middle.

[DoItTooJulia]

Thanks Satsuki that's a definite no from me then-harry potter is not my thing at all!

[GeorgeHerbert]

You might also enjoy any of Barbara Kingsolver's books - Poisonwood Bible and the Lacuna are my favorites.

[CoteDAzur]

There is no relation or similarity between Harry Potter and The Goldfinch!

I was actually quite swept away by The Goldfinch and remember thinking that I didn't expect to be up past midnight reading it, really needing to know what happens next. The ending didn't feel silly, either.

It was a great book, that brilliantly evokes the atmosphere of each stage in his life, starting in the beginning where there is some of the best literary description of a concussion and trauma that I have ever read.

[SatsukiKusakabe]

It is nothing like Harry Potter in terms of story but there are loads of very overt allusions and parallels to Harry Potter in the Goldfinch. The main character is called "Potter" by his best friend and it does not end there by a long shot. Agree some of the writing is fabulous especially at the beginning, so wouldn't say avoid.

Have you read the Harry Potter series, then cote? Doesn't seem like it would be your cup of tea!

[SatsukiKusakabe]

Actually it is a bit like Harry Potter in terms of story - orphan taken in by eccentric in a long robe, falls in love with a red haired girl, a painting to enshrine the memory of a loved one instead of a mirror...torn between the good and bad, and a final battle...

[DoItTooJulia]

George I love Barbara Kingsolver and I think I've read everything by her-including the non fiction which is sublime!

Oh dear-I've caused a ruckus about the Goldfinch. Having said that it's fascinating to watch you both debate it while I'm completely ignorant of both HP and The Goldfinch.

[ReggaeShark]

I was looking to see if anyone would recommend The Luminaries. I'm ploughing through it and it's the first time in ages I'm sorely tempted to give up. Is it worth it?

[DavidPuddy]

The Goldfinch is an alright story if you skim read it.

Perhaps try something by Edith Wharton? The characters are really good.

[SurelyYoureJokingMrFeynman]

Not quite like most of your list, but Walter Scott's usually good for a bloody good story.

Rob Roy, Ivanhoe and Woodstock are all great reads, and The Antiquary is one of my favourite novels.

[SurelyYoureJokingMrFeynman]

And if The Surgeon of Crowthorne is to your taste, you might also enjoy Kate Summerscale's historical non-fiction: The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, and Mrs Robinson's Disgrace.

[CoteDAzur]

You will not get to appreciate the exceptional prose in The Goldfinch if you skim-read it, which is what sets it apart from most fiction in press.

No, I haven't read Harry Potter books, Satsuki. You are right that it is not my cup of tea. Even my preteen DD found it "childish" and didn't get past 10 pages, so I felt my decision to not read it was a good one I did watch the first two films, though.

[CoteDAzur]

Dolt - Don't worry about "causing" a debate. This is what we do Come over to the 50-Book thread and you'll see.

[CoteDAzur]

Reggae - I found The Luminaries sublime. The writing, the insight, everything about it was fantastic.

However, it might not be your thing. If you have read a substantial chunk of it and are still not enjoying it, don't push on thinking that it will change.

[birdybirdywoofwoof]

Did you read the first Paula Mclain book? The Paris Wife. It was wonderful.
I preferred it to Circling the Sun.

[SatsukiKusakabe]

Oh yes we love a good debate and can cause one without much provocation at all

In that case perhaps all the references didn't hit you, cote, but I started to find them quite annoying and the writing went from sublime to flabby and cliched at some points. Mixed bag for me.

surelyyou'rejokingdoctorfeynman - I've had that book - your name - on my amazon wish list for ages waiting for a price drop, it was referenced at the end of the Essex Serpent which I read last week and now I've seen you - does this mean I should get it?! Is it good?

Sorry for the sidetracks op!

[SatsukiKusakabe]

I enjoyed The Luminaries - I liked the writing and the structure of it - but yes it is very much like that all the way through.

I quite liked American Wife recently as a light but thoughtful read - better than I expected and you might like if you like Kingsolver, doittoojulia

[Thegiantofillinois]

Lots of Atwood. I've been working my way through the Shakespeare retold series. A gap in time, nutshell, hagseed.

Essex Serpent us ok, but I'm finding a lot of recent fiction quite self conscious"I'm going to write a literary novel and it will have x,y,z in it."

I liked "all the light you cannot see".

[ItsNiceItsDifferentItsUnusual]

Brilliant, thread - I am taking notes!

I recently read The Ballroom and enjoyed it. Somewhere between commercial and literary fiction I'd say. Easy to read but definitely not trash.

I also loved, loved, loved A Little Life though I know some people found it hard going.

Am currently reading Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day - have meant to for years. I'm enjoying it but not loving it.

[ItsNiceItsDifferentItsUnusual]

Also this is a couple of years old now, and I'd say at the commercial scale of things - but bloody hell I loved it. Historical fiction, told through the eyes of Katherine Parr. Good writing, v. easy to read.

[SurelyYoureJokingMrFeynman]

Embarassingly, it's ages since I read my namesake book!

But Feynman is an excellent raconteur, so if the autobiography of a scientist who was part of the nuclear programme, used early computers, and was part of the enquiry after Challenger blew up, takes your interest, then you'll probably enjoy it.

Here's a short clip from Feynman talking on scientific method:

[CorporalNobbyNobbs]

When you say you need the 'first one' of a God in Ruins what do you mean? Cos you say elsewhere you've read Life After Life ( which is the companion to AGIR)

[DoItTooJulia]

birdybirdy yes-The Paris Wife is what made me buy Circling The Sun. That and the fact I love East Africa!

I really enjoyed American Wife Satsuki so we're definitely on the same page! (Book puns ok?)

And thegiant I love Atwood and have read most of it (I do have Madaddam waiting for me, but I'm worried I've forgotten too much of O&C and the Year of the Flood, so wondering if I need to re read those again first).

And itsnice I don't mind easy to read at all, so I'm checking out The Ballroom thanks.

[SatsukiKusakabe]

Thanks surelyyou'rejoking I've reserved it at the library, sounds good.

[GeorgeHerbert]

Another vote for 'A Little Life' -my book of the year last year. What about trying some Alice Hoffman? She writes a lot a magical realism. And if you like Margaret Atwood (like me!) I also enjoyed 'Station 11'.