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Have you read the 21st-century's 'greatest novel so far'?
I shan't bother with number 8, then! I loved Half of a Yellow Sun.
Atonement is the only one i have read, but I did like it :)
I've read eight of them, and started two others (which I failed to finish). The refusals were 1 and 7.
Haven't read any, don't intend to!
I've read four of them. Wolf Hall and The Road were both superb. Atonement was good. The Corrections was no more than ok.
I've not read any & I doubt that I would bother with them anyway. I have an obstinate streak that makes me avoid books, films, tv programmes and so on that appear on these lists that "everyone should read/watch"
Read it, I wrote it! :-)(he says modestly)
No, none.And I'm with Janet, I run away from "should reads"
Apart from when people on here say I should read something :)
Back on a serious note, I confess to not reading any of them, never having heard of half of them (at least) but wolf hall is one that I intend to get round to at some point.I'll see it in a charity shop with the sequels and be tempted :-)
His love death and tea is brilliant.Something he's done with his search format has seriously messed it up...
Guess what I just bought :)I'm sure that particular mind control will only work once.
"Once"
gettit
Jay-me (Janet) ~plum chutney is best~ wrote: "I've not read any & I doubt that I would bother with them anyway. I have an obstinate streak that makes me avoid books, films, tv programmes and so on that appear on these lists that "everyone sh..."
I'm like that, so end up starting something when it's either half way through or finished and then try and get hold of them from the beginning
Pft, not only have I not read them, I've only even seen one of the films!
I've read Atonement & The Road, but before I knew they were "must reads" seen the films of both those too. Enjoyed each but they didn't blow me away as being in any way spectacular.
Jim wrote: "Read it, I wrote it! :-)(he says modestly)"
We all know you are far too good (as well as too modest) to allow yourself to appear on a list like this.
I've read The Road - I liked it more than many people, apparently! But Chimamanda Etc Etc is a stonking writer. Read several of hers.
Andrew wrote: "Pft, not only have I not read them, I've only even seen one of the films!"Unless 'Despicable Me' was the film of a major 21st century novel, I have never seen any of the films ;-)
Joo wrote: "No, none.And I'm with Janet, I run away from "should reads"
Apart from when people on here say I should read something :)"
Well, yes, as someone who only ever regrets giving up smoking on National No Smoking Day, I only regard these lists as interesting curiosities and not as anything compelling.
What interests me is the disconnect - as shown in the posts here - between those books we are told we 'should' read, and what people actually do read and - more importantly - like.
It's maybe my age but I get a sneaking feeling of 'eat up your cabbage, it's good for you' when people tell me what books are 'worthy'.
David wrote: "Jim wrote: "Read it, I wrote it! :-)(he says modestly)"
We all know you are far too good (as well as too modest) to allow yourself to appear on a list like this."
With no disrespect to any of the writers on the list (because I've not read any of them so I'm not going to comment about their merits,) I think I may tackle different 'issues' to them in my writing. ;-)
I've read The Road too, I found it unremittingly dreary. I mean I know it's post-apocalyptic but come on!Wolf Hall - fantastic in parts, exceedingly dull in others. Might watch the series which starts tonight, it has some good actors in it.
The Corrections, sprawling, recall enjoying it whilst reading it but now can't remember a thing about it.
Kavalier and Klay - comic strips? Again it's all gone.
Atonement, good. Not my favourite McEwan (Enduring Love)
White Teeth. Read with my book group. Didn't really grip me.
Middlesex - weird and a tad contrived.
The Line of Beauty - self-indulgent and dull.
I am such an incisive critic, aren't I? ;)
I guess what I'm saying is I didn't really find any of those a "greatest novel". Nor even, in fact, a great one...
Sits polishing 2013 Indie Book Awards Category Winner trophy (if you can call a jpeg a trophy - the guy at Ca$h Converters didn't seem too impressed when I took it in to see how much I could get for it...)
Oh Tim? Which book won you that, darling?
Joo wrote: "Guess what I just bought :)I'm sure that particular mind control will only work once.
"Once"
gettit"
Gotit. ;)
I do think you'll enjoy it, Joo. Let me know what you think of it, please.
I haven't read any on the list,I'm don't normaly bother when novels appear on lists as when everyone raves about a book I usually find I don't enjoy them at all.I did buy Wolf Hall when it first came out but couldn't get into it at all. I think I might have another go at it, or shall I watch the series, not sure which.
I've been listening to the adaptation of The Corrections on Radio 4 - seems like a poor man's John Irving to me and certainly doesn't lead me to want to read the book. Have to say that I love Cormac Macarthy's books though
I loved both 'Wolf Hall' (and 'bring up the bodies') and Atonement - AND have included them on my list to quilt for my Fave 100 Books - so they are very highly honoured!
Nice to know that BBC Culture is polling AMERICAN critics for the best novel. Wouldn't want the rest of the world, or even the country the first B stands for, having a voice.
Patti (baconater) wrote: "Oh Tim? Which book won you that, darling?"Wanted :)
Read 5, loved 3, hated 2Loved "Middlesex", "Goon Squad", "Atonement" (although not the third part)
hated "2666" & "The Road"
Would never read Franzen - he's a to**er of the first order, slagging off new writers all the time, a case of having pulled up the ladder after him now that he's 'made it'.
Surprised "Room" isn't on there, nor any of Tom Mccarthy, David Peace or David Mitchell. My favourite 21st century book to date is The Flame Alphabet" by Ben Marcus. But no way does any of his work get on any list...
Seeing that the list is american put me off immediately.I'd rather read some Nick Hornby
Hmm, I've read four of them. Never been a fan of lists, especially ones dictating what's good, bad, better than something else. A lot of the list seems to be what might be considered "literary" novels. I'm drawn to crime thrillers, Rankin, King, Cohen etc. You'll never see them on a list like this. I think it was either Lee Child or Ian Rankin who said that writing a literary novel is all well and good. But they'd rather write a book that sold a lot of copies.
Tim wrote: "Patti (baconater) wrote: "Oh Tim? Which book won you that, darling?"Wanted :)"
Oh, this one?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wanted-Flick-...
who do I have to sleep with around here to win virtual trophies? ;-)
Marc wrote: "who do I have to sleep with around here to win virtual trophies? ;-)"Not me! I'm told I snore! ;)
Oh dear. Have read none. And have only heard of three of those authors. *Hangs head*
Patti (baconater) wrote: "Tim wrote: "Patti (baconater) wrote: "Oh Tim? Which book won you that, darling?"Wanted :)"
Oh, this one?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wanted-Flick-..."
Yes, that one. ;) (link corrected in quote - ?tag not &tag)
Looks like I'll be sleeping on my own and still prizeless then...
Like the rest of us, Marc
I think the interesting thing about that list is that very few are truly great novels irrespective of when they were written. By which I mean if you weren't restricting the list to the opening 14 years of the century, how many of them would get in a top 100 novels list? I would venture none.
Seriously how many of them will be remembered in thirty years time?
Jim wrote: "Seriously how many of them will be remembered in thirty years time?"maybe a bit longer but yes I agree. But then I don't think S.King esq will be remembered this time next century either
Die leaving huge and resolvable debts so that in fifty years elderly bankers will still shake their fists at the sky and shout "Curse you Jim Webster" ;-)Well it's one way of being remembered
hasn't Margret Attwood written a book only to be published 100 years after her death?
I hate these literary lists. They confirm my status as a heathen. I'm going to publish my own top ten of books that people can actually read and enjoy. No. 1 - Big boobs volume four. A classic.
Simon (Highwayman) wrote: "I hate these literary lists. They confirm my status as a heathen. I'm going to publish my own top ten of books that people can actually read and enjoy. No. 1 - Big boobs volume four. A classic."
Philistine... or do I mean Gertrude Stein?
Well, I've read 4 out of the twenty listed and I regard one (No. 8) as one of the worst books I've ever read.
Atonement & The Road I did like though.