Best novel you have ever read

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tie between "Gone With the Wind" and "War and Peace." GWTW is considered the American W&P.

Really????

Have you ever read it? Incredible descriptions, details, and complexity of characters make it a book to be read, regardless of your views about the south, etc.

[b]Gone With the Wind is considered in Russia as [the] American War and Peace." The similarities between these two lengthy, panoramic novels are striking. [b]

Long article by Donald W. Miller, MD

[Anonymous]

Water for Elephants.

[Anonymous]

Pillars of the Earth
Gone with the wind
If I stay

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tie between "Gone With the Wind" and "War and Peace." GWTW is considered the American W&P.

Really????

Have you ever read it? Incredible descriptions, details, and complexity of characters make it a book to be read, regardless of your views about the south, etc.

I am not the poster quoted above, but I have read it. I don't argue with anyone who enjoys it or any other book. I also enjoy a lot of fiction that is certainly not literary. However, I don't think any modern critic would consider it the "American W & P" . GWTW is fine as a romantic novel, but it falsely glamorizes the Old South, slavery, and portrays the KKK as a heroic group. It is conventionally written, and cannot be considered on a par with War and Peace because it is ultimately based on a falsehood. Does any school ( high school or college) use it as part of the curriculum? Many scholars around the world still study War and Peace; nobody studies GWTW. Enjoy it a a romantic novel, but don;t compare it to great works of literature.

GWTW is no. 14 of the Best Books of the 20th Century. I would also recommend, "The Wind Done Gone," fascinating. Also, in my American Lit. class GWTW was studied and was a part of the curriculum. I went to a major private univ. in Pennsylvania. Margaret Mitchell was not glorifying slavery, KKK; she was telling a story about that era in American History.

Here is a link to Time Magazine's 100 Best books of the 20th Century. http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,1951793,00.html GWTW is not listed. I am sure you con find a list somewhere that has it. But it is really not considered a great literary work. I am just saying...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tie between "Gone With the Wind" and "War and Peace." GWTW is considered the American W&P.

Really????

Have you ever read it? Incredible descriptions, details, and complexity of characters make it a book to be read, regardless of your views about the south, etc.

[b]Gone With the Wind is considered in Russia as [the] American War and Peace." The similarities between these two lengthy, panoramic novels are striking. [b]

Long article by Donald W. Miller, MD

Is Donald W. Miller, MD a literary critic? I have never heard of him. GWTW is profoundly racist. Whether or not you "enjoy" reading it. It is a simple fact. A black person reading the following will probably not be inspired by this " great book": former field hands (during the early days of Reconstruction) are described in the book as behaving "as creatures of small intelligence might naturally be expected to do. Like monkeys or small children turned loose among treasured objects whose value is beyond their comprehension, they ran wild—either from perverse pleasure in destruction or simply because of their ignorance." This is one small example. None of the black characters are fully realized humans, they simply live to serve their masters. The KKK is glorified! A book this racist cannot be considered a great American novel. Margaret Mitchell wrote this book in the 1930's, not during Reconstruction. She was clearly a racist. It is time to be honest about this book.

[Anonymous]

A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry
The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tie between "Gone With the Wind" and "War and Peace." GWTW is considered the American W&P.

Really????

Have you ever read it? Incredible descriptions, details, and complexity of characters make it a book to be read, regardless of your views about the south, etc.

I am not the poster quoted above, but I have read it. I don't argue with anyone who enjoys it or any other book. I also enjoy a lot of fiction that is certainly not literary. However, I don't think any modern critic would consider it the "American W & P" . GWTW is fine as a romantic novel, but it falsely glamorizes the Old South, slavery, and portrays the KKK as a heroic group. It is conventionally written, and cannot be considered on a par with War and Peace because it is ultimately based on a falsehood. Does any school ( high school or college) use it as part of the curriculum? Many scholars around the world still study War and Peace; nobody studies GWTW. Enjoy it a a romantic novel, but don;t compare it to great works of literature.

Why so pretentious? People are allowed to have opinions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am another one who didn't love other John Irving books, but who adores A Prayer for Owen Meany.

Brideshead Revisited

Best trashy beach read: The Last Convertible

ITA re Irving and Owen Meany.

Re The Last Convertible -- yes! That George Virdon -- what a mensch! And the scene at the 25th reunion when Chris almost reveals the big secret . . . to die for. Ah, Stardust!

Re Brideshead Revisited -- will have to read it, PP, as you and I obviously have similar tastes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tie between "Gone With the Wind" and "War and Peace." GWTW is considered the American W&P.

Really????

Have you ever read it? Incredible descriptions, details, and complexity of characters make it a book to be read, regardless of your views about the south, etc.

I am not the poster quoted above, but I have read it. I don't argue with anyone who enjoys it or any other book. I also enjoy a lot of fiction that is certainly not literary. However, I don't think any modern critic would consider it the "American W & P" . GWTW is fine as a romantic novel, but it falsely glamorizes the Old South, slavery, and portrays the KKK as a heroic group. It is conventionally written, and cannot be considered on a par with War and Peace because it is ultimately based on a falsehood. Does any school ( high school or college) use it as part of the curriculu

m? Many scholars around the world still study War and Peace; nobody studies GWTW. Enjoy it a a romantic novel, but don;t compare it to great works of literature.

Not on the absurdly politically correct DCUM.

Why so pretentious? People are allowed to have opinions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tie between "Gone With the Wind" and "War and Peace." GWTW is considered the American W&P.

Really????

Have you ever read it? Incredible descriptions, details, and complexity of characters make it a book to be read, regardless of your views about the south, etc.

[b]Gone With the Wind is considered in Russia as [the] American War and Peace." The similarities between these two lengthy, panoramic novels are striking. [b]

Long article by Donald W. Miller, MD

Is Donald W. Miller, MD a literary critic? I have never heard of him. GWTW is profoundly racist. Whether or not you "enjoy" reading it. It is a simple fact. A black person reading the following will probably not be inspired by this " great book": former field hands (during the early days of Reconstruction) are described in the book as behaving "as creatures of small intelligence might naturally be expected to do. Like monkeys or small children turned loose among treasured objects whose value is beyond their comprehension, they ran wild—either from perverse pleasure in destruction or simply because of their ignorance." This is one small example. None of the black characters are fully realized humans, they simply live to serve their masters. The KKK is glorified! A book this racist cannot be considered a great American novel. Margaret Mitchell wrote this book in the 1930's, not during Reconstruction. She was clearly a racist. It is time to be honest about this book.

Are you a literary critic?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tie between "Gone With the Wind" and "War and Peace." GWTW is considered the American W&P.

Really????

Have you ever read it? Incredible descriptions, details, and complexity of characters make it a book to be read, regardless of your views about the south, etc.

[b]Gone With the Wind is considered in Russia as [the] American War and Peace." The similarities between these two lengthy, panoramic novels are striking. [b]

Long article by Donald W. Miller, MD

Is Donald W. Miller, MD a literary critic? I have never heard of him. GWTW is profoundly racist. Whether or not you "enjoy" reading it. It is a simple fact. A black person reading the following will probably not be inspired by this " great book": former field hands (during the early days of Reconstruction) are described in the book as behaving "as creatures of small intelligence might naturally be expected to do. Like monkeys or small children turned loose among treasured objects whose value is beyond their comprehension, they ran wild—either from perverse pleasure in destruction or simply because of their ignorance." This is one small example. None of the black characters are fully realized humans, they simply live to serve their masters. The KKK is glorified! A book this racist cannot be considered a great American novel. Margaret Mitchell wrote this book in the 1930's, not during Reconstruction. She was clearly a racist. It is time to be honest about this book.

Are you a literary critic?

Who cares about this argument? If people enjoy reading a racist novel, let them. This is a free country ( even for black people; sorry Margaret Mitchell). GWTW is a great movie, though. Any other great movies made from mediocre books? How about The Godfather?

[Anonymous]

also loved housekeeping my marilyn robinson

[Anonymous]

The Mists of Avalon, Marion Zimmer Bradley.

And thank you for the summer reading list!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tie between "Gone With the Wind" and "War and Peace." GWTW is considered the American W&P.

Really????

Have you ever read it? Incredible descriptions, details, and complexity of characters make it a book to be read, regardless of your views about the south, etc.

[b]Gone With the Wind is considered in Russia as [the] American War and Peace." The similarities between these two lengthy, panoramic novels are striking. [b]

Long article by Donald W. Miller, MD

Is Donald W. Miller, MD a literary critic? I have never heard of him. GWTW is profoundly racist. Whether or not you "enjoy" reading it. It is a simple fact. A black person reading the following will probably not be inspired by this " great book": former field hands (during the early days of Reconstruction) are described in the book as behaving "as creatures of small intelligence might naturally be expected to do. Like monkeys or small children turned loose among treasured objects whose value is beyond their comprehension, they ran wild—either from perverse pleasure in destruction or simply because of their ignorance." This is one small example. None of the black characters are fully realized humans, they simply live to serve their masters. The KKK is glorified! A book this racist cannot be considered a great American novel. Margaret Mitchell wrote this book in the 1930's, not during Reconstruction. She was clearly a racist. It is time to be honest about this book.

Well, no duh. Thanks for pointing out the obvious. I also just read Robinson Crusoe, talk about your racist literature. There was a time when many authors were unapologetically racist and the great works of literature they created reflect that character flaw. How about Dickens or Twain? Heck, have you read the Bible? The Koran? Talk about your unapologetically sexist great literature. Or does it only matter if it's racists? All other kinds of literary impropiety get a pass? Rape? Violence? Give your virgin daughters to your guest for their pleasure, to keep the peace?

All kinds of horrible people with indefensible beliefs have created great things, including great literature.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tie between "Gone With the Wind" and "War and Peace." GWTW is considered the American W&P.

Really????

Have you ever read it? Incredible descriptions, details, and complexity of characters make it a book to be read, regardless of your views about the south, etc.

Gone With the Wind is considered in Russia as [the] American War and Peace." The similarities between these two lengthy, panoramic novels are striking. [b]

Long article by Donald W. Miller, MD

Is Donald W. Miller, MD a literary critic? I have never heard of him. GWTW is profoundly racist. Whether or not you "enjoy" reading it. It is a simple fact. A black person reading the following will probably not be inspired by this " great book": former field hands (during the early days of Reconstruction) are described in the book as behaving "as creatures of small intelligence might naturally be expected to do. Like monkeys or small children turned loose among treasured objects whose value is beyond their comprehension, they ran wild—either from perverse pleasure in destruction or simply because of their ignorance." This is one small example. None of the black characters are fully realized humans, they simply live to serve their masters. The KKK is glorified! A book this racist cannot be considered a great American novel. Margaret Mitchell wrote this book in the 1930's, not during Reconstruction. She was clearly a racist. It is time to be honest about this book.

Well, no duh. Thanks for pointing out the obvious. I also just read Robinson Crusoe, talk about your racist literature. There was a time when many authors were unapologetically racist and the great works of literature they created reflect that character flaw. How about Dickens or Twain? Heck, have you read the Bible? The Koran? Talk about your unapologetically sexist great literature. Or does it only matter if it's racists? All other kinds of literary impropiety get a pass? Rape? Violence? Give your virgin daughters to your guest for their pleasure, to keep the peace?

[b]All kinds of horrible people with indefensible beliefs have created great things, including great literature.

Very true. Margaret Mitchell just happens to not be one of them.