"Must Read" Novels

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PaulGH

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There may be a thread similar to this on CAF already, but after a bit of searching I wasn’t able to find one, so here goes:

I am looking for recommendations for novels to read. But rather than tell you what kinds of books I like and then ask for recommendations, I would like to try asking the question this way:

What novel have you read that was just outstanding, that you just can’t say enough good things about, and that you perhaps have re-read multiple times over a period of years? It could be a well-known classic, or a bestseller, or something very obscure. It could be in any genre – mystery, science fiction, fantasy, adventure, historical fiction, general fiction, etc. Preferably it would be a novel with some deeper meaning or lesson, but it might just be a novel that is very enjoyable because it tells a great story. Basically, I want to know what novel do you see as the very cream of the crop, of all the novels you have ever read.

I originally had in mind that each person who replies would list just one novel, but if you want to list more than one novel that fit with what I have described here, that’s fine. And if you can tell something about each novel and why you like it, that would be appreciated.

To answer this question myself, the novel that comes closest to fitting the bill for me is The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. I won’t really say much about the book or why I liked it, because it is such a well-known book that I wouldn’t be saying much of anything new that most people haven’t already heard.
 
Siddhartha, by Herman Hesse

Why? Firstly, the book is written on a kind of poetic way, literally I think every line of the book got me excited, made me daydream in the words, kind of hypnotic language. And is also very simple to absorb, pleasant reading. But the bigger reason is in the novel theme: self-discovery, finding your own way vs just following others, and the happiness and sufferings of trying to go that deep as you say in your post. It is indeed a “must read” for everyone.
 
My favorite book of all time is Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes. I know this is a classic and you are probably looking for something new that you never heard of but this book is great just incase you haven’t read it. Like you said about your pick it’s a classic and much has already been written about why its great so I wont go on about why I like it so much but I will say Don Quixote is a man who does what he thinks is right in all situations no matter what the cost is to him and its hilarious. Out of all the stuff in this book I don’t get why everybody always focuses on the windmills though? For me that was nowhere near the best or most memorable part of the book.
 
I agree with the OP, although I think that in order to have a complete understanding and appreciation of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, one should first read and study The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

It is my opinion that The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is the most brilliant American novel ever written. I think the both novels (Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn) should be taught from grade school through high school, with a simplified “story” version of the books used in grade school and lower/middle school, and then graduating to the more complete and difficult editions in high school. I think if the schools and home-schools did this, we would eventually end racism in the U.S., and that we would all come much closer to creating the society that the Founding Fathers of the United States of America envisioned.

As for other novels, after Huck Finn, I would say* Little Women* by Alcott. I realize that this may be a difficult novel for men to get, but I think that they should try really hard!

Even though Little Women was written for children (supposedly!), it should be taught in high school, when the boys are past the “girls are icky” phase. There is so much depth in Alcott’s March family trilogy, and not all of it is wholesome and “Christian.” Deeper readings of novel reveal a seething disdain for men from the author. She clearly considers men “inferior” or at best, in need of women to help them make it through life. I think that Americans need to understand this novel in order to understand feminism in all it forms, and how feminism has influenced, for the good and for the bad, current American society.

Unfortunately, many people seem to have read a different version of Little Women, one that is squeaky-clean and so Christian that it almost qualifies for admittance into the Canon of Scripture! Plays and musicals of the book are as wholesome as milk and homemade cookies. Fundamentalist Christians who believe that movies and theater are of the devil will make an exception to see an adaptation of Little Women.

I think this is why so many men and women avoid reading the book–they think it’s “Christianity Sweet and Light” and they don’t want to waste their time being sickened by all the cloying cuteness. It’s really too bad. The novel is one of the most brilliant of American novels, and reveals a lot about American culture and how it got the way it is now. I think it’s another novel that should be taught in all schools, again with a “story version” used for the lower grades.

Finally, the one novel that I read every year without fail is Dracula, by Bram Stoker. It’s another multi-level novel. On the surface, it’s an exciting story, a heroic quest with Christianity vs. Evil. But underneath, it’s a derisive and satirical treatment of Christianity, and a glorification of Evil. The novel is like a two-sided mirror. It’s like Romans 7 in the Bible–good and evil present in the same person. I find it fascinating because it describes “me”–wanting to be good but continuing to struggle with sin.

The problem with Dracula is that it’s written in that wordy “Victorian” style that has a lot of verbal clutter. I love that style! But others find it a ponderous trek.

Hope these suggestions are helpful to the OP and others.
 
Did you ever read the English Novel “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen wrote in 1813 its a romantic novel, but with a great twist.
 
Cat said:
I agree with the OP, although I think that in order to have a complete understanding and appreciation of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, one should first read and study The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

It is my opinion that The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is the most brilliant American novel ever written. I think the both novels (Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn) should be taught from grade school through high school, with a simplified “story” version of the books used in grade school and lower/middle school, and then graduating to the more complete and difficult editions in high school. I think if the schools and home-schools did this, we would eventually end racism in the U.S., and that we would all come much closer to creating the society that the Founding Fathers of the United States of America envisioned.

As for other novels, after Huck Finn, I would say* Little Women* by Alcott. I realize that this may be a difficult novel for men to get, but I think that they should try really hard!

Even though Little Women was written for children (supposedly!), it should be taught in high school, when the boys are past the “girls are icky” phase. There is so much depth in Alcott’s March family trilogy, and not all of it is wholesome and “Christian.” Deeper readings of novel reveal a seething disdain for men from the author. She clearly considers men “inferior” or at best, in need of women to help them make it through life. I think that Americans need to understand this novel in order to understand feminism in all it forms, and how feminism has influenced, for the good and for the bad, current American society.

Unfortunately, many people seem to have read a different version of Little Women, one that is squeaky-clean and so Christian that it almost qualifies for admittance into the Canon of Scripture! Plays and musicals of the book are as wholesome as milk and homemade cookies. Fundamentalist Christians who believe that movies and theater are of the devil will make an exception to see an adaptation of Little Women.

I think this is why so many men and women avoid reading the book–they think it’s “Christianity Sweet and Light” and they don’t want to waste their time being sickened by all the cloying cuteness. It’s really too bad. The novel is one of the most brilliant of American novels, and reveals a lot about American culture and how it got the way it is now. I think it’s another novel that should be taught in all schools, again with a “story version” used for the lower grades.

Finally, the one novel that I read every year without fail is Dracula, by Bram Stoker. It’s another multi-level novel. On the surface, it’s an exciting story, a heroic quest with Christianity vs. Evil. But underneath, it’s a derisive and satirical treatment of Christianity, and a glorification of Evil. The novel is like a two-sided mirror. It’s like Romans 7 in the Bible–good and evil present in the same person. I find it fascinating because it describes “me”–wanting to be good but continuing to struggle with sin.

The problem with Dracula is that it’s written in that wordy “Victorian” style that has a lot of verbal clutter. I love that style! But others find it a ponderous trek.

Hope these suggestions are helpful to the OP and others.
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Yes, Tom Sawyer was magnificent. I also liked Ivanhoe by Scott.
 
The Count of Monte Cristo by Dumas, The Space Trilogy by CS Lewis (my favorite of those being Perelandra), and the Nibelunglied (German epic poem)
 
“A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” by Betty Smith. I have to read this one at least once a year!
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I watched the movie with my brother on TV before I read the book. That part in the movie where the father freezes to death trying to find work had both me and my brother on the verge of tears! My grandmother grew up like that during the depression not in Brooklyn but in a cold water flat in north Jersey. I love that book. It reminds me of her.
 
I loved Silence by author of Endo. Great read.

Now I am reading The Miracle of Father Kapaun, story of Korean War chaplain and war hero. Very inspiring.
 
Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina was the first novel I finished & immediately started over to read it again- there is just so much there. When I read it for the third time years later, it was just as good. The story line itself is fascinating, and Tolstoy incorporates sociology, history, politics, religion- you name it. And even with all the commentary, he still manages to make the characters come alive.
 
So many good reads. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee is my all time most re-read novel.
 
So many good reads. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee is my all time most re-read novel.
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I first read TKAM last October and have already read it twice more since.

Partly this is because I wrote a book about a girl ( older than Scout ) and was fascinated by Harper Lee’s techniques in bringing out the story’s points. Instead of saying the points explicitly she lets the reader derive them from the situations even if it means some readers might miss them. That’s good writing. Once you realize the real point of the book, it screams out at you on nearly every page. Beautiful!
 
Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina was the first novel I finished & immediately started over to read it again- there is just so much there. When I read it for the third time years later, it was just as good. The story line itself is fascinating, and Tolstoy incorporates sociology, history, politics, religion- you name it. And even with all the commentary, he still manages to make the characters come alive.
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But don’t you agree that the story of Levin, Tolstoy’s autobiographical alter ego, is boring, pointless, and a waste of time?
Anna and Levin only meet once for a few minutes, I think, and Levin’s story has nothing to do with Anna. I recommend that anybody reading the book skip over the sections about Levin and concentrate on Anna. That’s what the 1948 movie did.

amazon.com/gp/product/B000MGBLHI?ie=UTF8&tag=dhc-vivienleigh-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B000MGBLHI
 
empther said:
But don’t you agree that the story of Levin, Tolstoy’s autobiographical alter ego, is boring, pointless, and a waste of time?
Anna and Levin only meet once for a few minutes, I think, and Levin’s story has nothing to do with Anna. I recommend that anybody reading the book skip over the sections about Levin and concentrate on Anna. That’s what the 1948 movie did.

amazon.com/gp/product/B000MGBLHI?ie=UTF8&tag=dhc-vivienleigh-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B000MGBLHI
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No, no, no- I respectfully disagree- the storyline of Levin & Kitty is an important counterpoint to Anna's story. Yes, Tolstoy uses the character of Levin to showcase his own views, but I like that! I never saw the movie, though.
 
Thanks everyone for your replies. I was surprised to see so many classic books recommended; I expected to see more newer books or more obscure books that I hadn’t heard of. But I guess it makes sense, because those books are considered classic for a reason. Anyway, you have given me several titles to consider reading in the near future.
Arizona_Mike said:
A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller
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This book will probably go near the top of my list of books to read next, as I was already considering reading it, based on good things I have heard about it from several people.
 
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