Best Novels Yet Written - Page 3 - cougarguard.com — unofficial BYU Cougars / LDS sports, football, basketball forum and message board

All-American · 07-27-2007, 06:54 PM

I defy any of you to list a story more compelling than Theodore Giesel's Hop on Pop.

Surfah · 07-27-2007, 07:00 PM

I plowed through Atlas Shrugged last summer in a week or so and posted my commentary here. I like the ideas presented but didn't like being hit over the head repeatedly with the same thing. John Galt's speech could have been wrapped up in 3 pages.

Anna Karenina is one of the greats. Upon Seattle's suggestion I will look into Tolstoy's shorter novels.

My favorite novels though seem to be by American authors from the south. I need to read more Faulkner. But I loved Absalom, Absalom!, The Sound and the Fury, and The Reivers. Also, his short stories A Rose For Emily and Barn Burning.

Flannery O'Connor's Wise Blood is a great novel and one of my favorites of all time.

I love Wila Cather's works. My Antonia being my favorite of hers.

To Kill a Mockingbird though is my favorite novel of all time. And if forced to choose one novel to take to a stranded island this would be it without hesitation.

Of Edith Wharton's work, Ethan Frome stands out for me.

I don't know there are lots.

BarbaraGordon · 07-27-2007, 07:13 PM

Like most of the rest of you, I adore the Russians, with Crime and Punishment being my favorite.

Tale of Two Cities.

For American literature I'd go with anything by Hemingway.

Love feminist works. Too many to name.

For less weighty reading, I love mid-twentieth-century sci fi. But that's a different thread.

SIEQ, I agree. Potter has certain merits, but lacks the kind of literary innovation that distinguishes true masterful literature from just unusually well-written fiction.

RockyBalboa · 07-27-2007, 07:14 PM

I read Atlas Shrugged 2 Summers ago and wasn't as enamored with it as most Conservatives are.

Seemed like 1000+ pages of stereo instructions.

I read Les Miserables last Summer and really enjoyed that. Great book.

RockyBalboa · 07-27-2007, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfah33

I plowed through Atlas Shrugged last summer in a week or so and posted my commentary here. I like the ideas presented but didn't like being hit over the head repeatedly with the same thing. John Galt's speech could have been wrapped up in 3 pages.

Anna Karenina is one of the greats. Upon Seattle's suggestion I will look into Tolstoy's shorter novels.

My favorite novels though seem to be by American authors from the south. I need to read more Faulkner. But I loved Absalom, Absalom!, The Sound and the Fury, and The Reivers. Also, his short stories A Rose For Emily and Barn Burning.

Flannery O'Connor's Wise Blood is a great novel and one of my favorites of all time.

I love Wila Cather's works. My Antonia being my favorite of hers.

To Kill a Mockingbird though is my favorite novel of all time. And if forced to choose one novel to take to a stranded island this would be it without hesitation.

Of Edith Wharton's work, Ethan Frome stands out for me.

I don't know there are lots.

Completely agree on the John Galt speech. Dude went on for almost 100 pages.

Jeff Lebowski · 07-27-2007, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfah33

My favorite novels though seem to be by American authors from the south.

So, are you admitting to being a Grisham fan?

SeattleUte · 07-27-2007, 07:31 PM

My favorite novels seem to be originally written in languages other than English.

Those who love the Russians should check out Isaac Bashevis Singer's The Slave. Singer's works remind me a lot of Dostoevsky and I know he considered him an inspiration. Signer wrote in Yiddish and then collaberated in the translations, because he spoke English too.

Surfah · 07-27-2007, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

So, are you admitting to being a Grisham fan?

I have only read two Grisham novels in my life. The Firm and Bleachers. Bleh.

I usually don't read very much contemporary at all. I guess I should have said I enjoy the southern gothic movement.

If I do read contemporary literature it's only to remain conversational in social circles. Hence the only reason I ever read The DaVinci Code and Angels and Demons.

I do like David Baldacci though. He's an exception and I think it's because he's from Virginia.

RockyBalboa · 07-27-2007, 07:41 PM

I once read: "Ric Flair: To Be The Man".....right after I read Atlas Shrugged no less.

Jeff Lebowski · 07-27-2007, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfah33

I have only read two Grisham novels in my life. The Firm and Bleachers. Bleh.

It's just brain candy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfah33

I usually don't read very much contemporary at all. I guess I should have said I enjoy the southern gothic movement.

If I do read contemporary literature it's only to remain conversational in social circles. Hence the only reason I ever read The DaVinci Code and Angels and Demons.

Hey, it's OK. You don't need to make excuses. It's not like you committed rape or something.

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfah33

I do like David Baldacci though. He's an exception and I think it's because he's from Virginia.

That's odd. I think the worst novel I have ever read (The Simple Truth) was written by David Baldacci. What a truly horrible piece of writing.

07-27-2007, 06:54 PM	#21
All-American Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 3,420	I defy any of you to list a story more compelling than Theodore Giesel's Hop on Pop. __________________ εν αρχη ην ο λογος

07-27-2007, 07:00 PM	#22
Surfah Master Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: F'burg, VA Posts: 3,211	I plowed through Atlas Shrugged last summer in a week or so and posted my commentary here. I like the ideas presented but didn't like being hit over the head repeatedly with the same thing. John Galt's speech could have been wrapped up in 3 pages. Anna Karenina is one of the greats. Upon Seattle's suggestion I will look into Tolstoy's shorter novels. My favorite novels though seem to be by American authors from the south. I need to read more Faulkner. But I loved Absalom, Absalom!, The Sound and the Fury, and The Reivers. Also, his short stories A Rose For Emily and Barn Burning. Flannery O'Connor's Wise Blood is a great novel and one of my favorites of all time. I love Wila Cather's works. My Antonia being my favorite of hers. To Kill a Mockingbird though is my favorite novel of all time. And if forced to choose one novel to take to a stranded island this would be it without hesitation. Of Edith Wharton's work, Ethan Frome stands out for me. I don't know there are lots. __________________ Ernie Johnson: "Auburn is a pretty good school. To graduate from there I suppose you really need to work hard and put forth maximum effort." Charles Barkley: "20 pts and 10 rebounds will get you through also!"

07-27-2007, 07:14 PM	#24
RockyBalboa Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 7,297	I read Atlas Shrugged 2 Summers ago and wasn't as enamored with it as most Conservatives are. Seemed like 1000+ pages of stereo instructions. I read Les Miserables last Summer and really enjoyed that. Great book. __________________ Masquerading as Cougarguards very own genius dumbass since 05'.

07-27-2007, 07:31 PM	#27
SeattleUte fairlds.org Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 10,665	My favorite novels seem to be originally written in languages other than English. Those who love the Russians should check out Isaac Bashevis Singer's The Slave. Singer's works remind me a lot of Dostoevsky and I know he considered him an inspiration. Signer wrote in Yiddish and then collaberated in the translations, because he spoke English too. __________________ Interrupt all you like. We're involved in a complicated story here, and not everything is quite what it seems to be. —Paul Auster

07-27-2007, 07:41 PM	#29
RockyBalboa Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 7,297	I once read: "Ric Flair: To Be The Man".....right after I read Atlas Shrugged no less. __________________ Masquerading as Cougarguards very own genius dumbass since 05'.

07-27-2007, 07:13 PM	#23
BarbaraGordon Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Gotham City Posts: 7,157	Like most of the rest of you, I adore the Russians, with Crime and Punishment being my favorite. Tale of Two Cities. For American literature I'd go with anything by Hemingway. Love feminist works. Too many to name. For less weighty reading, I love mid-twentieth-century sci fi. But that's a different thread. SIEQ, I agree. Potter has certain merits, but lacks the kind of literary innovation that distinguishes true masterful literature from just unusually well-written fiction.