13 Seconds

[Scheherazade]

In 2013, I am hoping to read the works of 13 authors whose only one novel I have read so far. There are so many great writers that I have not given a second chance.

So far in my list (the books in brackets are the works I have read by those authors):

1. Henry James (Daisy Miller)

2. DH Lawrence (Sons and Lovers)

3. Zadie Smith (On Beauty)

4. Cormac McCarthy (The Road)

5. Nabakov (Lolita)

6. Atwood (Handmaid's Tale)

7. Richard Ford (The Sportswriter)

8. Jeffrey Eugenides (Middlesex)

9. Ann Patchett (Bel Canto)

10. Graham Greene (Our Man in Havana)

11. Haruki Murakami (Norwegian Wood)

12.

13.


If you have any recommendations by these authors, please do share as they are always welcome.

[qimissung]

The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides is really good. I think you would enjoy it, Scher. I've read Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood and it is absolutely mesmerizing in my opinion. Ann Patchett has a new one, State of Wonder which is supposed to be really good. I may investigate it. I've never read Bel Canto, though, and somehow I feel I should read it first. Also, what about The Turn of the Screw by Henry James? It's a ghost story! How often do you encounter one of those at the pinnacle of literature! I'm thinking of reading it myself next year.

[dfw]

nice lil list u got goin there

cormac mccarthy, try suttree or blood meridian

try ada for nabokov

murakami- 1q84

[Dark Muse]

This is an interesting idea

[TheFifthElement]

I second Qimi's recommendations of The Virgin Suicides and Oryx and Crake. For Patchett, I've read The Magician's Assistant which was lovely, but if you want to read State of Wonder I'm reading that next year so if you want to compare notes that'd be fun.

For Murakami I'd recommend The Wind Up Bird Chronicle which is by far his best, or Hard-boiled Wonderland and the End of the World which is quirky but brilliant. I think you might find 1Q84 annoying on account of the bad sex and terribly cliched two dimensional male sex fantasy female characters (I did!).

The End of the Affair is an excellent choice for Greene, though I hear good things about Brighton Rock too. For McCarthy, I hear Sutree is his best work. I have that on my shelf too, but haven't got around to reading it yet.

[mal4mac]

In 2013, I am hoping to read the works of 13 authors whose only one novel I have read so far. There are so many great writers that I have not given a second chance.



2. DH Lawrence (Sons and Lovers)


Try "Women in Love", or if you are *really* keen "The Rainbow" and then "Women in Love". I recently re-read Sons and Lovers with great enjoyment, but gave up on a re-read of "The Rainbow". You may have read his best novel...



4. Cormac McCarthy (The Road)


If you are prepared to tackle something a bit more demanding, try "Blood Meridian".



10. Graham Greene (Our Man in Havana)


I read most of his novels some time ago, and plan to re-read them. I'd choose any that take your fancy from the plot descriptions. If you are still wondering, I second the recommendation for "Brighton Rock"; and then "The End of the Affair", if you are hooked.

I didn't like much about Murakami's "Wind up Bird Chronicle", it was very monotone, and the plot dragged on-and-on. He's on my one novel is enough list, unless someone can convince me to give him a second chance.

I recently read Atwood's Cat's Eye and didn't think it was a patch on the Handmaid's Tale. It just seemed too mundane, maybe she's better sticking to science fiction? "Oryx and Crake" is on my list of "must reads"...

[Scheherazade]

nice lil list u got goin thereI know... Hope it won't be too much for me lil'ead.

*titters*


Many thanks for your suggestions, everyone.

So far I have these (the books in brackets are the works I have read by those authors):

1. Henry James (Daisy Miller)

2. DH Lawrence (Sons and Lovers) ~ The Rainbow

3. Zadie Smith (On Beauty) ~ The White Teeth

4. Cormac McCarthy (The Road) ~ Blood Meridian

5. Nabakov (Lolita)

6. Atwood (Handmaid's Tale) ~ Oryx and Crake

7. Richard Ford (The Sportswriter) ~ Independence Day

8. Jeffrey Eugenides (Middlesex) ~ The Virgin Suicides

9. Ann Patchett (Bel Canto) ~ State of Wonder

10. Graham Greene (Our Man in Havana) ~ Brighton Rock

11. Haruki Murakami (Norwegian Wood) ~

12.

13.

[Dark Muse]

For Henry James. I really loved his novella The Aspern Papers or for one of his longer novels The Portrait of a Lady

For Nabakov though I admit I am not as huge of a fan of his writing as I know some people are, I would suggest Pale Fire which was quite an interesting book.

[WyattGwyon]

I am mostly just seconding suggestions already made above, but: McCarthy—Suttree is wonderful. Blood Meridian, of course, is the one everyone raves about. The Orchard Keeper, his first, is neglected but excellent. Outer Dark is very good but harrowing.

Murakami— A second vote for The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle.

If Gaddis is going to be on the list in one of the blank spots, then: each of his four novels is a masterpiece.

[Scheherazade]

For Henry James. I really loved his novella The Aspern Papers or for one of his longer novels The Portrait of a Lady I was thinking of The Golden Bowl (I just like the title) or The Bostonians. Read either?


I
If Gaddis is going to be on the list in one of the blank spots, then: each of his four novels is a masterpiece.Thank you, Wyatt. Didn't know who Gaddis was so had to look him up! :goof:

I think I will add Orhan Pamuk to my list as well... Anyone read Snow or The Black Book?

[Paulclem]

I've read Snow and Black Book - two very different novels. I found snow to be mesmerising. It was also very good about the headscarf disputes in Turkey. it was also interesting to read about a poet and the process of writing.

Black Book is also very good. it is a slow burning mystery, and I found the book stuffed with the items and detritus of everyday life. His descriptions are excellent, and i also liked it very much.

[Dark Muse]

I was thinking of The Golden Bowl (I just like the title) or The Bostonians. Read either?

Those are two of his that I have not yet got around to reading

[Delarge]

Big fan of Pamuk! I read Snow a few years ago and loved it. It manages to delve into sucjects like democrazy, islamism and secularism and at the samet time be a beautifull love story. In some ways it reminded me of the writing of Dostojevskij (especially Brothers Karamazov).

I would like to suggest Murakamis Kafka on the Shore. Such a wonderful book.

+1 for Suttree- great book. My favorite McCarthy.

[prendrelemick]

White teeth by Zadie Smith. Her first novel, incredibly niave, full of faults, but absolutely delightful. It is one of my favorite books of all time.

Atwood gives you a huge choice. Perhaps The Blind Assassin, its a proper grown up and well written novel. Or for something a bit more fun, The Robber Bride.

For DH Lawrence I'd go for Lady Chatterley's Lover. It is probably the best of the rest you haven't read, its infamy obscures its merits. In Constance you have a major Literary character, I certainly prefer it to The Rainbow.

[Scheherazade]

Thank you! My list is getting complicated... Might end up reading more than one book of each author's...


1. Henry James (Daisy Miller)

2. DH Lawrence (Sons and Lovers) ~ The Rainbow or Lady Chatterley Lover

3. Zadie Smith (On Beauty) ~ The White Teeth

4. Cormac McCarthy (The Road) ~ Blood Meridian or Suttree

5. Nabakov (Lolita)

6. Atwood (Handmaid's Tale) ~ Oryx and Crake or The Blind Assassin

7. Richard Ford (The Sportswriter) ~ Independence Day

8. Jeffrey Eugenides (Middlesex) ~ The Virgin Suicides

9. Ann Patchett (Bel Canto) ~ State of Wonder

10. Graham Greene (Our Man in Havana) ~ Brighton Rock or End of the Affair or The Quiet American

11. Haruki Murakami (Norwegian Wood) ~ Kafka on the Shore

12. Orhan Pamuk (My Name is Red) ~ Snow or The Black Book

13.[/QUOTE]

[JBI]

The Road is a novella, beefed up to sell as a novel. The edition I had at nearly 200 pages had the largest font, widest margins, and biggest gaps between paragraphs I have ever seen in a novel. All so it can sell as a full size book, sigh. It takes about 60-70 pages of effort to get through in its entirety. Though, Blood Meridian was undoubtedly a much stronger novel.

[mona amon]

How about Pale Fire for Nabakov? It's very funny, clever, and a really good book. Quite short, too...

Oops I see Dark Muse has already recomended it.

[Scheherazade]

Started reading the first book for this challenge:

The Boys from Brazil by Ira Levin. I read his The Stepford Wives couple of years ago and enjoyed very much and this one is not disappointing so far either.

[prendrelemick]

Hmm, still one place left. How about some Virginia Woolf? Assuming you've slogged through To the Lighthouse - or similar, can I recommend Orlando, which I found very enjoyable.

[Scheherazade]

Many thanks for your suggestion, Mick. I have already read Mrs Dalloway and Orlando. I cannot say that Woolf will ever be one of my favourite authors even though I enjoyed the latter much more than I had expected.

1. Ira Levin (The Stepford Wives) ~ The Boys from Brazil 8/10 A thriller based on a Nazi conspiracy with a hint of sci-fi, an entertaining page-turner; ideal for holidays.

[caddy_caddy]

If you haven't completed you list yet ,you might take a look at this.

http://www.amazon.com/Memory-Flesh-Modern-Arabic-Writing/product-reviews/9774247345/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt/177-0261644-5219543?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

[Scheherazade]

If you haven't completed you list yet ,you might take a look at this.

http://www.amazon.com/Memory-Flesh-Modern-Arabic-Writing/product-reviews/9774247345/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt/177-0261644-5219543?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Thank you very much for your suggestion, Caddy, but I haven't read any other books by this author before so will not be 'eligible' for my challenge.

[Gladys]

For Henry James. I really loved his novella The Aspern Papers or for one of his longer novels The Portrait of a Lady.


I was thinking of The Golden Bowl (I just like the title) or The Bostonians. Read either?

Having read much of Henry James recently, I too rate The Aspern Papers an entrancing novella, with a strong plot. Daisy Miller made less of an impression but I enjoyed it. If you're looking for an easy read, full of black humour, What Maisie Knew is an excellent choice.

The Portrait of a Lady was OK but I prefer the earlier Washington Square. I rate The Golden Bowl among the finest novels I've read for its exquisite nuances of meaning and purpose, but the novel is not easy reading and only The Awkward Age, which I cannot recommend due to never-ending streams of consciousness, is more difficult. The Wings of the Dove, another late novel, is a good read with a racy and complex plot.

I must read The Bostonians in 2013 myself.

[Scheherazade]

1. Ira Levin (The Stepford Wives) ~ The Boys from Brazil 8/10 A thriller based on a Nazi conspiracy with a hint of sci-fi, an entertaining page-turner; ideal for holidays.

2. Joanne Harris (Chocolat) ~ Gentlemen and Players 7/10 A psychological thriller taking place at a private boys' school.

[Scheherazade]

1. Ira Levin (The Stepford Wives) ~ The Boys from Brazil 8/10 A thriller based on a Nazi conspiracy with a hint of sci-fi, an entertaining page-turner; ideal for holidays.

2. Joanne Harris (Chocolat) ~ Gentlemen and Players 7/10 A psychological thriller taking place at a private boys' school.

3. Henry James (Daisy Miller) ~ The Bostonians 8/10

4. Muriel Spark (Aiding and Abetting) ~ The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie

5. Margaret Atwood (Handmaid's Tale) ~ Oryx and Crake ~ 7/10

6. Ann Patchett (Bel Canto) ~ State of Wonder ~ 8/10

7. Carson McCullers (The Heart is a Lonely Hunter) ~The Ballad of the Sad Cafe and Other Stories ~ 10/10

[Scheherazade]

1. Ira Levin (The Stepford Wives) ~ The Boys from Brazil 8/10 A thriller based on a Nazi conspiracy with a hint of sci-fi, an entertaining page-turner; ideal for holidays.

2. Joanne Harris (Chocolat) ~ Gentlemen and Players 7/10 A psychological thriller taking place at a private boys' school.

3. Henry James (Daisy Miller) ~ The Bostonians 8/10

4. Muriel Spark (Aiding and Abetting) ~ The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie

5. Margaret Atwood (Handmaid's Tale) ~ Oryx and Crake ~ 7/10

6. Ann Patchett (Bel Canto) ~ State of Wonder ~ 8/10

7. Carson McCullers (The Heart is a Lonely Hunter) ~The Ballad of the Sad Cafe and Other Stories ~ 10/10

8. Graham Greene (Our Man in Havana) ~ The Honorary Consul (S8) ~ 7/10

9. Zadie Smith (On Beauty) ~ White Teeth ~ 7/10

10. Willa Cather (My Antonia) ~ One of Ours ~ 4/10 Such a disappointment after the first book.

11. Evelyn Waugh (Brideshead Revisited) ~ A Handful of Dust ~ 8/10

12. Jeffrey Eugenides (Middlesex) ~ The Virgin Suicides ~ 9/10

13. Stephen King (The Green Mile) ~ Dolores Claibourne ~ 8/10

14. Bulgakov (Master and Margarita) ~ A Country Doctor’s Notebook [/I] ~ 8/10

15. Horace McCoy (They Shoot Horses, Don't They?) ~ I Should Have Stayed Home by ~ 6/10

16. Haruki Murakami (Norwegian Wood) ~ Sputnik, Sweetheart 7/10

Done it! :banana:

I will still continue to read other authors that fit in this category till the end of the year, though.

[coeus]

Great idea. I haven't read all these authors yet, and some I've only read the books you have, but I have a few suggestions.

1. Henry James (Daisy Miller) - My favorite work by Henry James is The Turn of the Screw. More of a novella, but absolutely worth reading.

2. DH Lawrence (Sons and Lovers) - I would recommend Women in Love.

4. Cormac McCarthy (The Road) - Another vote for Blood Meridian.

5. Nabakov (Lolita) - The only other thing I've read is The Gift, but I loved it.

10. Graham Greene (Our Man in Havana) - I would also recommend The Heart of the Matter.

11. Haruki Murakami (Norwegian Wood) - The only thing I've read of his so far is The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, but I loved it.

12. Orhan Pamuk (My Name is Red) ~ Snow or The Black Book