"Manly" Books

[Amra]

I haven't really given it much thought before, but lately I found out that men and women have different tastes in books. :nod: Namely, I was trying to get my friend to read more, and have promised to give him guidance in this noble undertaking, but it proved to be a much more stressful task than I thought. After many hours of discussions, long speeches about feminist movement, lectures on equality, and after having to endure countless criticism on the books that I recommended, I had to concede. Men and women are different in their book preferences! There, I admit. So, I ask you for advice to give me the names of those "manly" books and authors that will keep my friend interested. Could it really be that I have lived my life in this illusion believing that a classic has a universal appeal to both men and women? What is it that men look for in books? I am very interested in this new discovery and mean to take it seriously and get to the bottom of this. :D So, out with your recommendations and thoughts.

[baddad]

Uh....personally, as a man, I do tire of the constant emotional drama of many of the classics. *ducks down so as to avoid the coming flak* For an example, Pride and Prejudice. Damn, I am so sick of that tale.......but there are many others like it. I suppose the examination of interpersonal relationships is not something us men are encouraged to particapte in, the genderizing of children still being tied to outmoded social structures. Men are still taught that emotions are for the weak, and while this is utter nonsense to the enlightened, it is a strong stricture in most parts of the world, even today. Escape from the brainwash of such social conditioning is nearly impossible.
Man books? One suggestion that does not necessitate scraping the bottom of the literary barrel by reading action packed 'pap' or 'crap' (steven king comes to mind), Kurt Vonnegut.
And by the way, I hear that being a 'man' is becoming popular again......probably just a fad.......

[B-Mental]

Maybe some of these will help...
The Thin Red Line- James Jones (A strong WWII read, straightforward, much better than the muddled movie.)
Fields of Fire - James Webb (What should be considered a classic Viet Nam conflict read, a little on the cliche end, but if only one, then this.)
For Whom the Bell Tolls - Hemingway (A war story with a touch of romance, also good intro to Hemingway.)
Tough Guys Don't Dance - Norman Mailer (A good mystery with strange plot twists)
All Quiet on the Western Front - Erich Maria Remarque (Classic WWI)

There are so many more, but if your friend can stomach these, then come back and ask again.

[bugmasta]

I would suggest books such as the Illiad and The Odyssey, The Republic, The Prince, Catch-22, and Walden. Keep with books that have a bit of war, sex adventure and humor.

[B-Mental]

Kurt Vonnegut.
And by the way, I hear that being a 'man' is becoming popular again......probably just a fad.......

Definitely Vonnegut, one of my favorites, a little on the liberal side if thats a problem.
Forgot about The Natural by Bernard Malamud, a good baseball story that doesn't end like the movie.
I've always remained a man and will continue to long after the fad has passed.

[simon]

While alot of those books B-Metal suggested might appeal more to a man than to a women, though perhaps that's because they have more to do with war and the plight of survival than the quandry of human passion. But both are topics with many good venues. And to add one more to his battling list A Midnight Clear, a classic World War novel of men tired of fighting causing both sides to attempt a fatal truce. Try Ishmael or The Fire of Origins, or maybe some Issac Asomov. Jack Kerouac's On the Road perhaps?

[Nightshade]

Kurt Vonnegut.
well have to admit Im curious, so who is he???

[Aurora Ariel]

I'm a little skeptical about so called "manly books" as I think many can be based on stereotypes and an ideal about what it is to be a man, which is usually a representation of a traditional reflection which may force some males to be given books which they may not even be interested in.Most can choose for themself, but it may possibly make some end up reading a stereotypical book due to pressure to fit in and conform with this old-fashioned ideal.I think there are some males who may enjoy "femine books" and other females who adore these "manly books", sometimes the line may blur and one may choose to read both, and enjoy them thoroughly.It's quite narrow-minded to suggest that all females somehow prefer books about passionate relationships, and neglect other forms of narrative.It reminds me of the stereotype that only young teenage males like sci-fi and devote vast amounts of time to this area, while teenage females are left to amuse themselves with romance fiction and go shopping all the time.There is nothing wrong with young males reading, and enjoying, Jane Austen or young females reading a book predominately about war, bloodshed or serious political struggles.It's quite silly to suggest that they are somehow "weaker" or "stronger" on account of the detailed text.Many males are effected by emotive language as are females and a few may be in neither catagory and choose to read both.Personally, I do not discriminate and are open-minded enough to attempt to read from a wide range of genres, but I do agree, that one usually ends up with favourites, but this can be very varied, and sex is not always a determinate of preference.

[blp]

As a man, I recommend the following books by women: 'Wuthering Heights', 'Blood and Guts in Highschool' by Kathy Acker and 'Summer Rain' by Marguerite Duras.

'American Psycho' by Brett Easton Ellis seems to be slightly more popular with men than women, though it's a close call.

Young men who want to be clever like Nabokov. 'Lolita' is very good. A slightly different kind of clever kid likes William Burroughs. Read 'The Naked Lunch' twice to get over the gag reflex and start finding the humour and inventive wordsmithery. Once you've done that, you can go onto Beckett, particularly the trilogy 'Molloy', 'Malone Dies' and 'The Unnameable'.

My favourites among the more obviously manly books are Hemingway's 'The Sun Also Rises' in which the hero has a war wound that has effectively castrated him and 'Heart of Darkness' and 'The Secret Agent' by Conrad. 'Catch 22' is excellent obviously and so is Vonnegut, if you're still below voting age. Cormac McCarthy writes intelligent, existential westerns.

[B-Mental]

or maybe some Louis L'Amour...Larry McMurty maybe if westerns are called for. I liked Lonesome Dove, but some of McMurty's others I'm not as fond of.

[PeterL]

Everything by George McDonald Frazier fits the bill humor, sex, action, and none of the worry about emotional interplay.

[MiSaNtHrOpE]

Whats wrong with reading "girlie" books? I am not ashamed to admit I enjoyed We Thought You Would Be Prettier by Laurie Notaro, and I'm as straight as a geometrical 180 degree line.

I suppose someone could try to get off to the explicitly sexual interactions in Brave New World (Man youre really desperate if you do!)?

Or perhaps A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess: sex (rape), violence, bad language, a tiny bit of humor, if you can understand Alex's bizarre Slavic slang.

I agree with Aurora Ariel. There is no distinct line, for 99% of books, between "manly" and "feminine" books. Either gender can enjoy both. For example, my 17-year-old cousin Lisa HATED The Scarlett Letter, and my mother is reading The Plague. Also, many kids (both male and female) last year were reading The Things They Carried. Also, I already stated that I like Laurie Notaro, which is, in my opinion, is as "girlie" as they come.

There are exceptions, however, and some books do appeal to men or women more than the other. I greatly disliked Shakespeare's romance stories, especially Romeo & Juiet, and I doubt women would enjoy A Clockwork Orange.

The moral of the story: Read whatever you want, regardless of what the gender norm is.

[blp]

or maybe some Louis L'Amour...Larry McMurty maybe if westerns are called for. I liked Lonesome Dove, but some of McMurty's others I'm not as fond of.

McMurtry shurely

[Erna]

and I doubt women would enjoy A Clockwork Orange.
Yes, there are ;)

The Slavic (?) language was more the problem of the book. I had to read it when I was 16 and when English isn't your motherlanguage, it's hard. But I did like the story, even with the violence in it. It is a good book.

[MiSaNtHrOpE]

Yes, there are ;)

The Slavic (?) language was more the problem of the book. I had to read it when I was 16 and when English isn't your motherlanguage, it's hard. But I did like the story, even with the violence in it. It is a good book.

Ha ha. :-p I was prepared for someone to go against what I said, and rightfully so. I know that there are some exceptions to my examples, but I used them to illustrate my point anyway.

I'm glad you like A Clockwork Orange :), and one of the psychiatrists examining Alex near the end does point out that the slang is of Slavic roots.

[Psycheinaboat]

I am a female who enjoyed A Clockwork Orange.

It has been years since I read it so it is difficult for me to remember, but I recall enjoying the realization while reading that the villian's enviroment built him, made him what he had become, tamed/broke him to cure him, and then left him the victim of that society that had produced him.

I enjoyed the social statement it made.

[yellowfeverlime]

The history of Pamela Anderson

[subterranean]

Maybe you can go here (http://www.vonnegut.com/) to find out more about him :)


well have to admit Im curious, so who is he???


Well, personally I think manly books more refer to themes of weapons, strategy, cars, adventure, or action. Though I don't denie that men find the theme of romance sometimes quite enjoying, and on the other hand women might find books on cars or extreme journey quite entertaining.

I see someone mentioned Illiad and The Odyssey, The Prince, Catch-22, as manly book, which I don't really see why. Maybe it has something to do with wars and power...


Originally Posted by MiSaNtHrOpE
and I doubt women would enjoy A Clockwork Orange.

I like Clockwork Orange :), and I think the theme is not about man at all.

[MiSaNtHrOpE]

I am a female who enjoyed A Clockwork Orange.

It has been years since I read it so it is difficult for me to remember, but I recall enjoying the realization while reading that the villian's enviroment built him, made him what he had become, tamed/broke him to cure him, and then left him the victim of that society that had produced him.

I enjoyed the social statement it made.

After seeing the film, I realized the story is a lot more complex than I thought it was. It's more than a choice between Good & Evil, its how society also will never forgive for wrongs one has done. I agree with you.

[subterranean]

Exactly.....

[Wendigo_49]

He might like books by Tom Clancy

[papayahed]

He might like books by Tom Clancy


I was going to suggest him, he gets way to technical for me but I do like the stories - well most of the, except that bear and dragon book - P U.


How about Herman Wouks War and Rememberance and Winds of war, they have war... well and rememberance..