2007-01-22 22:49:48 · 22 answers · asked by litchick 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
The Brothers Karamazov, by Dostoyevsky. On the surface it's about the murder of a decadent landowner by one of his three (or four!) sons, and the differences and tensions between their three distinct approaches to life - sensality, rationality and spirituality. Running through the whole book is the struggle between Good and Evil, and this is set against the backdrop of the confused, changing Russia of the late 19th century. Less specifically though, this massive book contains all of life itself - God, the Devil, the Rich and the Poor, Sex, Violence, Humour and Despair. There are some very funny episodes in it - the devil complains about modern doctors, for example - and some unbearably tragic stories that lay bare the pure evil in our world. It takes an age to get into, but once you've past about 200 pages it just takes off into pure genius. No other writer even gets close to the way Dostoyevsky lays bare the thoughts and motivations of the characters in this book. It's an absolute knockout!
Mind you, I haven't read Tolstoy's Anna Karenina yet... They say that's pretty good, too.
2007-01-26 03:27:26 · answer #1 · answered by Alyosha 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dombey & Son, Charles Dickens. Its hard to believe it was written so long ago. Its one of the few stories where u just can't guess whats going to happen next, you find yourself completely immersed in it like there's nothing else going on around you. Dispels the notion of Dickens as English homework entirely.
My second favourite would have to be The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime - Mark Haddon. Can't be described, you have to read it.
2007-01-23 02:52:50 · answer #2 · answered by Queen of the Stone Age 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lark Rise to Candleford by Flora Thompson is one of my favourites.
It paints a vivid picture of a way of life that was dying even when the author had lived through it. It has a certain wistful charm that I find soothing.
I have other favourites for different times and moods.
Ask me tomorrow and I'll say something different!
2007-01-22 22:59:55 · answer #3 · answered by Vivienne T 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Daggerspell by Katherine Kerr as this was the book that started my lifelong love of fantasy. It is now a twelve book series.
and also the Fraser (Cross Sitch, Dagonfly in Amber, Voyager, Drums of Autumn The fiery Cross and A Brath of Snow and Ashes,) novels by Diana Gabaldon as these combine my love of Fantasy ,History and men in kilts.
2007-01-26 01:12:59 · answer #4 · answered by michelle b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
'The Wind Up Bird Chronicle' by Haruki Murakami. It's so beautifully written, engaging likeable characters, existentialist themes... Murakami really explores a lot of ideas that I have thought about before like the difference between wakefulness and sleep and the idea of someone being aware that you have dreamt about them. He takes these sorts of ideas to a new level without it becoming overly fantastical or science fiction. He's absolutely amazing, you have to try it.
2007-01-23 00:25:55 · answer #5 · answered by Snow White 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Among many, it remains "Gone With The Wind" by Margaret Mitchell that I have read 3 times. It gives you a deep insight to life and causes of the Civil War and the aftermath. The movie did not include many aspects of that time but it came close.
2007-01-22 23:00:06 · answer #6 · answered by madisonian51 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. True story and I love the psychology of the 2 main characters and what made them commit the murders.
2007-01-23 00:28:58 · answer #7 · answered by clairelou_lane 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Empress Orchid caus it made Chinese history interesting and got me reading more about it.
A Clockwork Orange, didn't know violence could be so interesting.
Dracula just really well written like a book is supposed to be.
Ugly by Constance Briscoe, makes you appreciate what you have got
2007-01-22 23:06:59 · answer #8 · answered by Lassie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oooh tough one:
"1984" was horrific, I couldn't put it down, even though the future scenario it painted was so scary.
"The Old Man and the Sea" by Hemingway is brilliantly told and sooo good.
And "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens is very good, though might be kind of oldfashioned. I love it though...
Terry Pratchett is great for a laugh...
2007-01-23 00:22:25 · answer #9 · answered by Mr Jones 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Little Women - Louisa M Alcott. First read it and cried over it when I was about ten, it would still make me cry now even though I am over sixty. Of course then there are the wonderful sequels, Good Wives, Little Men etc.
Meg,Jo. Amy and Beth. Never mind the film, read the book! (There was at least one film version with Elizabeth Taylor).
2007-01-22 23:15:42 · answer #10 · answered by piccalilli 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋