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

[DarrellRivers]

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.

everyone that likes John irving should try Robertson Davies as well

funny and clever

I loved The Magus! Mind you, I read it years ago. Don't know if it would stand a re-read or not.

I wrote an essay at University on some aspect (forget which) of Dickens based entirely on Coles Notes and a few TV adaptations. Hadn't ever read a whole Dickens. Still haven't - although I am trying Dombey and Son now.

I think you have to be under 25 to enjoy The Magus - anyone older shouldn't even try.

Yes I remember reading What's Bred in the Bone - was it called that?

Hardy - love his poetry, not so keen on the books.

I think Irving is perfectly acceptable. Salinger a step-above I'd say Capp.

If anyone else says they don't like Middlemarch I shall ask for this thread to be deleted. [power-crazed emoticon]

I lay in bed last night wondering why Waugh had such a good outing on here. Then I decided he was an A level text.

I'll tell you a really good recent book - American Pastoral by Philip Roth.

Yes I seem to recall reading that somewhere Seeker. I'll leave it as a fond memory then.

I must try Phillip Roth have heard a lot of good things about him.
The Magus is one of my sister's fave books and she bought it for me for my 26th b'day so maybe her timinh was wrong but I couldn't see what all the fuss was about at all!!!

The English Patient is a good book. More Vegemite than actual marmite.

cappucino, i forget most books that i have read
surely they can't become unread
now for my Dickens contribution i think i shall read Great Expectations, and I don't think i ever read ny Trollope so may have to visit those.
and Salinger good suggestion too.
Christ now I need a whole year free to read everything.
Nevermind, thread saved so can return for future perusal in 2010

oops, was about 40 when i read the magus for the first time...am obviously a late developer!

Found this thread and loved it. Inspired me so much I thought we'd base our next Mumsnet Bookclub on it and do Mumsnet Favourite Classics for February.

I'm going to create a shortlist of books mentioned here and then we'll all vote on which one to do for February's Book of the Month. The shortlist should go up in a week's time so tell me which one you want to see put forward - I'll keep checking this thread and adapting the list with the books that get the biggest push.

We'll aim for a list of 8-10 books, and then it'll be off to the polls to see which one everyone wants to do...will let you know when the shortlist has been created and its time to vote...

1984

A random selection:

20th century:
A very very very funny book is Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons. It's my comfort read.
V diverting & entertaining: The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford
The Country Girls by Edna O'Brien
Dubliners by James Joyce

19th century:
I would second everyone who has said Middlemarch, Pride and Prejudice, Vanity Fair, Wuthering Heights, Madame Bovary. Also Evelina by Fanny Burney (written in letters).
The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton (or The Buccaneers)
Fanny Hill: Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure

The Mumsnetter Classics list for February Book of the Month is up and running - I've taken 10 of the most mentioned titles from this thread, now its up to everyone to vote for the one we should do for our bookclub this month.

You can see the list here or join this thread - and you can cast your vote anytime from now till next Friday 1st February, polls close at 8pm.

Looking forward to seeing which one comes out top. My money is currently on Middlemarch...but I think I'm personally voting for Madame Bovary (never read it, feel I must).

Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Grey

can't remember the author, but a REAL tear jerker

'A Crack in Forever'

sorry, there are loads coming to me now.

Philip Pullman's

His Dark Materials

FANTASTIC!!

p.s ilove u and flowers in the attic

I liked 'PS I love you'

Anyone read 'A place called home' (same author)

I've got it but not read it yet

have you tried Thomas Mann, darrel? I read the Confessions of Felix Krull recently, it was good.

I have just bought Mrs Darrowby, but not read it yet.

Evelyn Waugh is shallow, ignore him

I am the opposite - in my teens, I read nothing but light fiction, I think because I didnt know anything about life.
After I was 30, I started reading the classics - I still have not read all of Dickens, and havent read War and Peace yet, but I dont mind - they will come along eventually if I keep living long enough and it is so true that you appreciate them far better the older you get.

im slowly reading place called here. ive never got the time to read lately. but my mum read it and she said it was really good.

lovely bones is another good one.

Everyone, please read "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt, excellent from the first page!

1984 classic moral tale still if not more applicable today.happy to reread this any time

Love love love Pride & Prejudice, am reading it AGAIN for the... erm... umpteenth time. Did I say I love it?

I really enjoyed the recent film version too > but just couldn't take to the BBC dramatisation with Colin Firth. Nothing to do with him (prefer Matthew MacFadyen's characterisation much more), but the characterisation of Mrs. Bennett was just too annoying. Yes I know, she's a daft bint of the highest order, but this was just too much.

I loved Great Expectations at school but since then, can never get past Pip bringing the food to Magwitch before I switch off .

I loved Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, and War & Peace by Tolstoy. Big books but well worth it.