What are the modern day classics for the older generation?

[thedolly]

My FIL doesn't read anymore because he thinks he will never read anything as great as 'Kafka'. Please help me to reignite his love of reading by suggesting something that he might like (hopefully love).

Thank you

The Corrections looks ace, I also like the look of How to be Alone (Essays) also by Franzen.

Isn't Mumsnet great - thanks to you all and keep them coming.

Wilbur, enjoy!!!

I loved The Corrections too, though perhaps SF more "classical" in its structure etc, iyswim...

Please try Fugitive Pieces. It's one of my favourite books and no-one else seems to have read it but me.

Will do Sunshinemambo

oh my word I forgot probably the best one for your FIL

Margarite Yourcenar "Memoirs of Hadrian". FANTASTIC. Recommended to me by someone on MN (thank you so so so so much). I sat down to read a bit of it in the shop and 20 mins slipped by in no time at all. It's like drinking cream, it goes down beautifully, silkily and is rich and smooth and altogether gorgeous.

I suggest he try Philip Roth (American Pastoral is his big novel and also one called Everyman is very good). Some say is one of the best US writers around today. He writes from the perspective of an older male coping in a changing world (American Pastoral is quite amazing) so he may enjoy. John Irving is good too. I

I definite yes to Memoirs of Hadrian, thanks for that Jux

christie2, I'll have a look at some Philip Roth, thanks.

I'm a big John Irving fan and I don't think it will be 'deep' enough for FIL - he is a fussy so and so.

A definite yes even.

So far I've got about 4/5 books for FIL. I was hoping for about 8. Does anyone else have any great suggestions?

He seems to have a preference for books that have been translated into English.

It was probably you who recom. it to me! Ages ago it was. Balzac might be good if he likes translations, or, oh who's the guy who wrote a Short Walk in the Hindu Kush? I'll look it up.

thinking of the wrong thing . It'll come back to me.

Of course, there's always Catullus, Aeschylus, Homer, that lot

Robert Graves I Claudius is classic and pretty mis.

I should give him 3 Men in a Boat and Treasure Island, though. And Diary of a Nobody for pudding.

barbarianoftheuniverse - done, done and done. In fact I bought him Diary of a Nobody a few Christmases ago. He is very well read but has given up as he feels he has read the best. I need something published fairly recently that will knock his socks off.

Thanks to you all for the suggestions so far.