What's a good novel to follow IN COLD BLOOD?

[franch]

DH just finished this and was blown away - I'd like to get him something for his birthday that might impress him as much. Any suggestions?

What did he like about it?

Joan Didion is a journalist with a very good style.

Thanks cherry I'll look into that. It wasn't that it was a true story particularly - mostly the quality of the writing and the atmospherics I guess.

His other recent favourite is Ian McEwan's Saturday, if that helps

Oh and he's a big fan of Disgrace.

Anything particular by Joan Didion, cherry?

Eerm - "Slouching towards Bethlehem" is a big favourite of Didion-lovers and so is "The Year of Magical thinking".

I think you should try googling something left-field like "superb stylists literature".

I know it's almost too obvious but what about Raymond Chandler and Ernest Hemmingway?

He won't like it, sadly, because it's too female, but Jamaica Kincaid "Small Island" has a brilliant prose style; aloof but poetic in a restrained way.

OK many thanks cherry. He's read Small Island actually but yes I think he was a bit underwhelmed. Not sure about Hemingway but yes possibly Chandler - was thinking Highsmith too which is almost, but possibly not quite, right

Have either of you read "Let's not go to the dogs tonight"? I haven't but I heard a bit of it on the radio and it sounded interesting. I put it on my "must read" list.

No we haven't .... You're giving me loads to go on, cherry - thanks!

If he likes/wants great writing how about
J G Ballard or James Ellory?

My bos told me to read In cold Blood and The Corrections. Loved both. jonathan Franzen. It is about a totally dysfunctional family, but strangely enjoyable.

ooops Boss!

I heartily recommend Patricia Highsmith and Raymond Chandler.
And also "Mildred Pierce" by James M Cain here

Not a novel but The Executioner's Song by Norman Mailer, an account of a man who fought the legal system in order that he could have the death penalty in, iirc, the 1970s. Very spare in style and harrowing in detail.