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Thread: Need some recommendations

  1. #16
    Whatever... TurquoiseSunset's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by stlukesguild View Post
    Truly... when someone asks for a classic that isn't so heavy it is rather difficult to discern what is exactly desired.
    I agree. It's a bit difficult to know exactly what misterlit asked for...everyone will have their own opinions on what qualifies. I mean look at the difference between the classics I recommended and the ones stlukesguild did. Mine's a bit more Mickey Mouse, but only misterlit can really veto a suggestion because he knows what he likes.

  2. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by JacobF View Post
    The Count of Monte Cristo by Dumas, maybe? Though it's a classic, the adventure is so enticing that I think you'll ignore the fact that it's not under 600 pages (in fact the Penguin Classics version is a whopping 1200 pages).
    Read it, loved it, but thanks anyway

    I am planning to read some Dickens and Collins too.
    Last edited by misterlit; 06-15-2009 at 08:38 AM.

  3. #18
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    So I take it I should stray away from Joseph Conrad then?

  4. #19
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    Any of John Steinbeck's short novels, or anything by J.D Salinger.

  5. #20
    Whatever... TurquoiseSunset's Avatar
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    Ugh, I hate J.D Salinger, but wat?? is probably right...you'll like him and Steinbeck as well.

  6. #21
    Registered User billl's Avatar
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    Conrad seems risky, given your request. I haven't read anything by him, but the film Apocalypse Now is to some degree an echo of Conrad's Heart of Darkness, so a distinctly non-light take on his work is apparently possible... I would also like to hear something from an actual Conrad reader, though--I've been curious about The Secret Agent.

  7. #22
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    billl - and misterlit - you may well enjoy Lord Jim. It isn't exactly light but you can read it as an adventure story. It was the first Conrad I read and it sent me on to Nostromo, which you can also read as an adventure - but before anyone jumps down my throat I'll hasten to say there are many more levels to any Conrad work. The Secret Agent? I wouldn't start there - it has a desperately sad sense of inevitability about it but is a good read.
    Last edited by kasie; 06-19-2009 at 04:40 AM.

  8. #23
    ignoramus et ignorabimus Mr Endon's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by misterlit View Post
    So I take it I should stray away from Joseph Conrad then?
    Well, Heart of Darkness could be an option, it's very short and not too complex - I mean, you can enjoy it by taking it at face value. Right now I'm slightly prejudiced against him because of Eyes of Asia (which is a solid block of propaganda muck), but I'd recommend his short stories, which, I must warn you, are very complex and subtle - at least the ones I read.

    As for the OP, I'd suggest, as I've been doing since I've joined this forum, The Third Policeman.

    Also: Synge's The Playboy of the Western World. A classic, a short and easy read, a riot (in many senses of the word).
    Last edited by Mr Endon; 06-19-2009 at 04:52 AM. Reason: crossed out Kafka; not exactly 'light-hearted'...
    I am still alive then. That may come in useful.
    Molloy

  9. #24
    Pièce de Résistance Scheherazade's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Endon View Post
    The Third Policeman.

    Also: Synge's The Playboy of the Western World. A classic, a short and easy read, a riot (in many senses of the word).
    I keep meaning to read these two maybe we can have a group reading for one of these soon to get me reading!
    ~
    "It is not that I am mad; it is only that my head is different from yours.”
    ~


  10. #25
    ignoramus et ignorabimus Mr Endon's Avatar
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    Scher, that's a great idea! I'd do that myself, but I'm not sure how exactly you go about opening and managing a group reading. I'd love to participate, though! Easily the two best books I've read this past year
    I am still alive then. That may come in useful.
    Molloy

  11. #26
    Pièce de Résistance Scheherazade's Avatar
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    At the moment, we are reading In Cold Blood so after that maybe.

    All it takes is a lot of publicity and bribing really!
    ~
    "It is not that I am mad; it is only that my head is different from yours.”
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  12. #27
    ignoramus et ignorabimus Mr Endon's Avatar
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    I thought politics weren't allowed in this forum!

    In Cold Blood, now that's one I've been meaning to read ever since I saw the movie. Alas, right now I can't. I'll make a push for The Third Policeman or The Playboy as soon as that is done, then.
    I am still alive then. That may come in useful.
    Molloy

  13. #28
    Literature Fiend Mariamosis's Avatar
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    I have really enjoyed Emile Zola's 'Les Rougon-Macquart' series. 'Germinal' is probably my favorite then 'The Beast Within', 'The Drinking Den' and 'Nana'. Those are the only four I have completed so far.

    Jules Verne - 'The Mysterious Island'
    Thomas Hardy - 'The Mayor of Casterbridge', 'Jude the Obscure' & 'Far from the Madding Crowd'
    Rider Haggard - 'King Soloman's Mines'
    Mark Twain - 'A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court'
    -Mariamosis

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