The story isn't all that great, but Paton's prose in that novel is absolutely gorgeous. There are parts of that novel that make me weep. :thumbs_upQuote:
Originally Posted by EAP
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The story isn't all that great, but Paton's prose in that novel is absolutely gorgeous. There are parts of that novel that make me weep. :thumbs_upQuote:
Originally Posted by EAP
I've read the book several times. I can't get past the first page without having tears form.Quote:
Originally Posted by trismegistus
I thought the story was all that great. The passion of the two men who must have compassion for each other because of the ironic situation in which they find themselves is riveting.
This isn't a top ten because, frankly, how could on epossibly read all the books eligible for the best ever? With my knowledge, here are some ones I've gotten a lot out of.
RAND -- The Fountainhead
MAUGHAM -- Of Human Bondage
FITZGERALD -- This Side of Paradise
BURGESS -- A Clockwork Orange
BRADBURY -- Fahrenheit 451
CHOBSKY -- Perks of Being a Walflower
THOMAS -- Rats Saw God
TOLSTOY -- Anna Karenina
JOYCE -- Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man
MOORE -- Lamb
FAULKNER -- As I Lay Dying
DICKENS -- Great Expectations and A Tale of Two Cities
SHAKESPEARE -- Macbeth
ORWELL -- 1981
Geez, didn't know 1984 was part of a quartet!:)
It's actually a quintet. In 1985, ajoe was born.Quote:
Originally Posted by atiguhya padma
I just finished reading The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. I'm too stunned right now to be able to list ANY book I've ever read, much less 9 more of them; but this one definitely has to make the list. All my lofty college-educated vocabulary has deserted me, and about the best I can do right now is just sit and stare and say "wow" over and over again. Maybe after I've recovered a little I can do better.
Wow.
Ms. Jackson does that to many people, including Stephen King.
Good to know I'm not alone! Sheeeesh!
Haha glad you liked it, rereading may bring back some of your literary analysis skills and vocabulary prowess.
Do I detect a tone of smugness? lol.
I'm not entirely sure "liked" would be an appropriate word. Somehow, "wow" still seems to fit the best.
I just got finished watching "The Haunting" again as well. It is an interesting movie when taken separately, but does not have the power or mastery of Jackson by any stretch of the imagination.
Wow!
'Chinese lit:
by Lao-tzu
The Art of War'
Sorry to be pedantic here, and it was probably just a typing mistake...
Lao Tzu wrote the Tao Te Jing whereas Sun Tzu wrote The Art of War. Both great reads, and depending on your inclination (pacifist or military/now business strategist), good food for thought.
Anyway's, back to the topic. Thought I'd add some classic Beat Gen stuff: On the Road-Kerouac (Dharma Bums also great)
Junky-Burroughs (Naked Lunch aswell)
Moby Dick.
You've gotta be kidding! I hate Moby Dick.
I'm sure that others agree with you on this, but I thought it was great!!Quote:
Originally Posted by ajoe
I felt many of the passages spoke straight to my soul, it is so honest, melancholy yet self-depricating and yes, I actually thought it was quite funny as well, and a pretty good adventure story.
I know you are not going to read this but I found a kind of recognition and magic these kinds of passages.
"Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself pausing before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; and especially whenever my hypos get such the upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principal to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodically knocking people's hats off- then, I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can." :brickwall
glad there is one guy who meantioned a chinese book in the list of top ten must read books. and glad there is one are so careful about those chinese ancient authors. and by the way, we chinese often do not take either The Art of War or Tao Te Jing as literary books. one is about military (yes, now business strategy), and the other philosophy.
thanks for all of your suggestions. they will be my literary (esp. english literary) guide.
about chinese literatue, i think two are the best: Dream of the Red Chamber (ancient) and Fortress Besieged (modern)
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Originally Posted by nocturnus