Essential Literature - Any recommendations?

[phr33k]

Right then folks, I've always read books by the likes of James Patterson, Karen Rose, Jeffrey Deaver who write fictional crime/murder novels and I love them however I'm looking to broaden my horizons and knowledge by reading some "Must-read" books. I'm thinking of starting with George Orwell - 1984. the only sort of books I'd perhaps rule out is that along the lines of Lord of the Rings as I'm not a particular fan of fantasy books. Any recommendations?

[cobra kid]

Catch 22.

Be persistent and get past the first 100-150 pages.

[mechsympathy]

I've worked my way through a bunch of books I was supposed to have read at school: Lord of the Flies, Catch 22, The Great Gatsby, 1984 to name a few. They are all (irritatingly) very good. I guess those pesky english teachers knew what they were on about after all.

[Miss Pitstop]

phr33k said:

I'm thinking of starting with George Orwell - 1984.

An excellent choice Sir! My personal favourite - it's a little hard going in places but it just gets more relevant as the months go by.

I read it every couple of years and it scares me how accurate a book it is.

Enjoy!

[cobra kid]

Oh, and avoid most stuff by Jack Higgins.

[amir_j]

Would recommend the local library and getting world classics such as Kafka, Voltaire etc.

[plasticpig]

Err didnt we do this last week?: http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

Anyway I still reccomend Winnie the Pooh.

[phr33k]

plasticpig said:

Err didnt we do this last week?: http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

Anyway I still reccomend Winnie the Pooh.

Bugger! Sorry folks! But thanks by the way.

PS: Just remembered; The Dice Man by Luke Rhinehart is fascinating!

[robinhood21]

phr33k said:

PS: Just remembered; The Dice Man by Luke Rhinehart is fascinating!

Superb! The first hundred or so pages are a struggle, but boy is it worth it. There is a followup, but not a patch on the original.