1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die
Thursday November 2, 2006
in books | reviews
The answer to the recent literary meme is The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe.
Incidentally, Radcliffe’s novel is featured in Dr. Peter Boxall’s 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. I had a look through the list and after a quick calculation I realised I’ve only read roughly 9% of the books listed. So I went back through the list and found ten books that I’ve promised myself to have read by this time next year:
Everything Is Illuminated – Jonathan Safran Foer
The Tin Drum – Günter Grass
The Bell – Iris Murdoch
In a Glass Darkly – Sheridan Le Fanu
Steppenwolf – Herman Hesse
Quartet – Jean Rhys
At the Mountains of Madness – H.P. Lovecraft
Titus Groan – Mervyn Peake
Lord of the Flies – William Golding (I know!)
The Lord of the Rings – J.R.R. Tolkien (I know, I know!)
I didn’t spend too long on my choices. I think I just need to get reading.
By the way, I wouldn’t say that this is the definitive list, but who can?
You’re doing better than me. I’ve read 69 of ‘em, which I make out at around 7%. I might have to list ‘em at some point.
Although some are definitely listed twice - the Gormenghast Trilogy is in there, and then Titus Groan... as is the Hobbit/LOTR listed together as one, then LOTR again listed later.
And never mind "i know"ing to the last two, get yer HP Lovecraft read. You'll realise how influential he was... in particular look out for "Pickman's Model" (except I think it's in the "Haunter of The Dark" - vol III of collected tales, of which "Mountains of Madness" is vol I.
JackP Saturday November 4, 2006
I noticed the Tolkein duplication but not the Peake. So that’s another trilogy to read.
There’s also some author duplication in my opinion. While Beckett and Sterne are great authors they are an acquired taste, so should we have to read more than one of their books? And while Richardson’s Clarissa, is a must, must we also read Pamela.
Some authors I just don’t get (Pynchon) while others I don’t think should be included at all (Self).
Anyway, I think I’ll start with the Peake and then go on to the Lovecraft…
The Book Tower Saturday November 4, 2006
I did a blog on this list a few weeks ago. At first, I felt kind of bad for only reading .39 percent (40) of those books. Then I realized that I don’t think there’s a person on the planet who’s read every book on that list. I bet even the person who came up with that list has never read all of those books.
I was surprised Ayn Rand wasn’t on the list. I’ve never read her, but she often makes lists like this.
Brandon Saturday November 4, 2006
That’s interesting. I’ll have to check that author out.
I also think that some books just haven’t aged well, like Alice in Wonderland. So why not include another author that children and adults can both enjoy, like Pullman?
The Book Tower Saturday November 4, 2006
Lot of authors like.. Ayn Rand, J K rowling, Terry Pratchett, erich segal are missing
Mridul Latka Friday May 4, 2007
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