novels for literate people?

Question

please suggest some good novels meant for literate people
not pop culture
that do not focus on nineteenth century english society
literature that makes one think

Answer 1

fight club by chuck palahniuk

an amazing read.

Answer 2

Atlas Shrugged - Ayn Rand ----- Conservative social commentary

In His Steps - Charles Sheldon - Liberal social commentary

Space Trilogy - C. S. Lewis ------ Science Fiction with a message

Screwtape Letters - C. S. Lewis - A fanciful but enlightening view of Hell, temptation, and how we may misunderstand many sins and temptations.

Foundation Trilogy - Isaac Asimov -- Science Fiction with an eye on the evolution of civilizations.

Lord of the Flies - William Golding -- Short novel about the basic depravity of humanity when not under the thumb of civilization.

Catcher in the Rye - J. D. Salinger -- Teen angst and ignorance

A Dialogue between Macchiavelli and Montesquieu in Hell - Marice Joly -- Probably had more impact on world history than many realize and the author did not intend it.

Animal Farm -- George Orwell -- Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss (Pete Townshend.)

1984 - George Orwell -- Big brother is watching you. Doublespeak, doublethink, revisionist history. Lots of contemporary notions and words began or were popularized with this book.

Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck -- We've got it good but that can change oh so easily.

Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck -- Prejudice, poverty, and two men bonding (in a manly way) in the American South.

Pilgrim's Progress Parts I and 2 -- John Bunyan -- Taught regulary in schools as the greatest example of allegory in English, till it was removed from public schools because of it's religious intent. For years, it was the best-selling book after the Bible. In His Steps surpassed it, though.

Huckleberry Finn - Mark Twain -- A young boy's feelings against slavery in a culture that was pressuring him to accept it.

The Sun Also Rises - Ernest Hemingway -- Get a feel for the Lost Generation through the eyes of the literary elite of the time.

On the Road - Jack Kerouac -- Get a feel for the Beat Generation through the eyes of the literary elite of this subculture. This book and Catcher in the Rye exhibit sections of the "stream of consciousness" style.

Gotta go. That's what comes to mind first. Bizarre, I know. d:c)

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Answer 3

You can try some of the novels by Neal Stephenson. Especially "Snow Crash, The Diamond Age, and Crytptonomicon. They are fun, but very demanding - he's the only author I've read that puts a calculus equation in a mystery! (but you dont need to know calculus!)

But hey, guess what - he also wrote a really long trilogy of novels about England and Europe in the 1600s - early 1700s. "The System of the World"

Answer 4

The Notre Dame of Paris by Victor Hugo
The Earthsea Quartet by Ursula Le Guin

Answer 5

I would have to agree with Travisimo, Pillars of the Earth is one of the best books I have ever read. Written by Ken Follett. Also check out Pearl Buck, Ayn Rand, John Steinbeck, William Faulkner, Harper Lee, Victor Hugo, Charles Dickens (although Dickens focuses much on what you specifically said you weren't looking for, he is definitely worth a look-see, a magnificent writer) There are just so many. They aren't classics for nothing! Happy reading.

Answer 6

Try reading "Don Quixote" by Miguel De Cervantes. It was rated 4 1/2 stars on amazon.com...It was originally written in Spanish sometime in the 1600's but you can buy English translated copies now. I suggest it! It is a very good read with some humor to enlighten you as well.

Answer 7

Enter a culture or country in Amazon books. You can read the inside covers and pages of the book as well as reviews. Some books are just 1 cent plus postage. I like Japanese novels and short stories from Soviet-era Russia.

Answer 8

Ok definetly Ayn Rand's stuff also Geaorge Orwell is interesting, Invibible Man, The Drifters Odyssey and Illiad, and i dont know but my favorite book ever is The Pillars of the Earth...

Answer 9

Ernest Hemingway, H. Rider Haggard, Erik von Lustbader, Cervantes, H. G. Wells---The History of the World vols I & II.

Answer 10

Try Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke, or His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik.

Answer 11

I suggest The Power of One by Bryce Courtney. I feel this was not meant for pop culture, but it sold fairly well in this country. It is set before, during and after WW II in South Africa.