List of books - what's next!?

[E65Ross]

Hi guys,

Just after another suggestion on books to read. I've posted here before and have said I'm generally a "classics" fan....love Dickens, also really enjoyed The Count of Monte Cristo (my favourite book...possibly) and The Three Musketeers, have also read and thoroughly enjoyed The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and also Huckleberry Finn....loved 1984 by Orwell...just to give you an idea of some of my favourites.

Now....here's a list of a few, if someone could say whether they've read any and if they enjoyed them that'd be great....

Moby Dick, Doctor Zhivago, The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Hound of the Baskervilles, Frankenstein, Anna Karenina, Middlemarch, Catch-22... Or any other suggestions?

Also....are any of the Bronte sister books worth a read? I gather they're generally lovey-dovey type novels, so maybe a bit more for the women? Or am I quite mistaken?

Many thanks in advance

[E65Ross]

Goaty Bill 2 said:

The Bronte sisters are well worth reading, as is Thomas Hardy.
Victor Hugo, and Alexander Dumas. - these last two will give you further insights into Dickens Tale of Two Cities and the revolution. The series around the Three Musketeers is fantastic good fun.

Thank you. I've read The Hunchback of Notre Dame and found it pretty hard going to be honest. Worth reading but not one of my faves. Of Dumas I've read 3 of the Musketeer novels but found they seemed to fade a little, the 1st 2 in particular were very enjoyable though.

RE Bronte sisters....I had a look and it appears that Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights seem to be the most popular....so last night I actually started Jane Eyre, only read the 1st 2 chapters but enjoying it so far. In some ways has quite a Dickensian feel to it.

[E65Ross]

williredale said:

Of your list I've only read Moby Dick and Catch 22. I didn't get on at all with Moby Dick but really enjoyed Catch 22

Thank you for this.

I'm already on chapter 9 of Jane Eyre now and am definitely glad to be reading it.

Another classics author..... Jane Austen.... Are they all lovey/dovey or are they also worth reading? I've read some great novels which have romance as a big underlying theme (a tale of 2 cities, for example)....

Just after some more things to read and generally like classics.

Thanks again

[E65Ross]

Been on a massive reading spree and already finished Anna Karenina....wonderful book! I may read 1 or 2 shorter novels next (I'm tempted by Frankenstein and/or The Scarlet Pimpernel), and I MAY try War and Peace, having enjoyed Anna Karenina. Anyone on here read it? Enjoyable? VERY long, of course! Longest book I've read so far is The Count of Monte Cristo.

[E65Ross]

Goaty Bill 2 said:

E65Ross said:

Been on a massive reading spree and already finished Anna Karenina....wonderful book! I may read 1 or 2 shorter novels next (I'm tempted by Frankenstein and/or The Scarlet Pimpernel), and I MAY try War and Peace, having enjoyed Anna Karenina. Anyone on here read it? Enjoyable? VERY long, of course! Longest book I've read so far is The Count of Monte Cristo.

To state the obvious, War and Peace is epic.
Tolstoy is without doubt one of the greatest writers and social commentators in modern human history.
As you well know from reading Anna Karenina, you become completely immersed in the period and the characters in a way few if any historians could relate the story or the times.
It is for most, a project of some weeks to complete.

Nothing (not even Hammer Horror ) can replace reading the original Frankenstein novel.
If for no other reason that to allow you to sneer at the poorly crafted imitations and modern renditions that lack virtually all that was important to understand from the original, though in fairness, Branagh's 1994 film was probably as good as it will ever get on screen.
The questions Shelly asks, and for which she leaves us to find our own answers, are as relevant today (perhaps more so) as they were when it was written.

While one can but sympathise with the people of the French revolution, The Scarlet Pimpernel will, while being a classically 'fun' story, remind one of the horrors perpetrated in the names of revolution and necessary change.
Those that are freeing themselves of their oppressors are rarely as merciful as those who were previously oppressing them.

Edited by Goaty Bill 2 on Tuesday 28th March 11:54

Great post, thanks for that!!

[E65Ross]

williredale said:

E65Ross said:

Been on a massive reading spree and already finished Anna Karenina....wonderful book! I may read 1 or 2 shorter novels next (I'm tempted by Frankenstein and/or The Scarlet Pimpernel), and I MAY try War and Peace, having enjoyed Anna Karenina. Anyone on here read it? Enjoyable? VERY long, of course! Longest book I've read so far is The Count of Monte Cristo.

I read War and Peace years ago at work. When I was supposed to be working!

I think I'll read Frankenstein next, then PERHAPS the scarlet pimpernel and then I'll tackle war and peace. Frankenstein is nice and short so I could get that done in a few days!

[E65Ross]

The Scarlet Pimpernel.....one of the best books I've ever read. Utterly fantastic!!

Based on the fact I enjoyed that, any potential recommendations??! Really enjoyed it!

[E65Ross]

Thanks chaps, I've read most of the suggestions.....I loved the Muketeer novels, except I found they dragged nearer the end. I didn't like The Hunchback of Notre Dame a massive amount, some of it was very heavy going, although the story was utterly fantastic and I wasn't disappointed for having read it.

Orwell....1984 amongst my favourites, as is Animal Farm. Have also read Frankenstein (brilliant) and Grapes of Wrath (also fantastic), but didn't get on with Catcher in the Rye at all, I found it quite dull.

I've not read Moby Dick, though I've heard it's a bit "hit and miss"....although I guess that's no different to anyone else, we all have differing opinions.

Cheers for any further suggestions

[E65Ross]

I've recently discovered the crime books by Robert Bryndza, I've read "the girl in the ice" and the "night stalker", both absolutely great and fast moving