What do you believe to be the best novel of all time? It's not necessarily your favorite book but if you believe your favorite book would be what you would consider to be the best, then go ahead.
Well its hard to peg 1 single book..... The Complete Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy (though technically not one book when i first read it it was all together)
Best single book.... surprise, book 6 of Sword of Truth, Faith of the Fallen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Book brought me to tears, it was seriously THAT emotional. Its about the value of human life (big theme of entire 12 book series)
For me this was very influential. I was unhappy and everything was hard and I didn't know why until I read this book. Now I'm the happiest guy here. This book turned a bunch of light bulbs on for me. I don't know if it's because I was such a train wreck before I read it or if it really is all that. Probably some of both.
Ulysses by James Joyce is usually numero uno in these kind of lists. Sadly, it was beyond my intellectual capabilities and is the only book I couldn't get my head around so I never finished it.
I change my mind all the time about my favourite novel, but that isn't necessarily the best novel of all time?
So,
My current favourite
Oryx and Crake by Margaret Attwood
My vote for best novel of all time (nominated with a large dose of uncertainty)
Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift
because it is a fantastic read and has stood the test of time. Although it is a political satire of its own time it remains remarkably relevant today.
Of course, it's arguable that Gulliver's Travels is not actually a novel, pre-dating as it does the modern novel. However, it is equally arguable that the novel has had its day and that the post-modern "novels" we all read now are not strictly novels at all. I'm not sure that I'd agree with these arguments but the question at the top of the thread is vague about what a novel is.
Ulysses by James Joyce is usually numero uno in these kind of lists. Sadly, it was beyond my intellectual capabilities and is the only book I couldn't get my head around so I never finished it.
Yes I would agree with that. I have downloaded the BBC dramatization and will star listening to Frank Delaney's re-Joyce podcast, but I'm not holding out much hope.
For best I can't decide between Tale of Two Cities, The Grapes of Wrath and My Antonia.
Well its hard to peg 1 single book..... The Complete Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy (though technically not one book when i first read it it was all together)
Damn it man, you beat me to it (by just a little over a month)!!!
So I'll have to nominate instead....
The passage that discusses Nikki Sixx walking into a meeting with some of their labels execs, smacked out of his mind, and taking a keen interest in one of the suits girlfriends is only one of the unbelievable stories that makes this book something you just can't put down.
Because unlike when mere mortal men like myself takes a keen interest in one of his bosses girlfriends, it doesn't generally end in a book worthy moment. That's because in that type of situation, me and a handful of lotion would have a good time at home that night thinking about her... and that would be the extent of it. MOD EDIT: NSFW
But when you're a rock and roll star like Nikki Sixx was back then, living on a strict diet of heroine and Jack Daniels without ever hearing the word 'NO' in 4 or 5 years and you take a keen interest in your bosses girlfriend, it's a different story all together. Nikki was unaware that you weren't supposed to mix business with pleasure. So he walked over to her, picked her up, layed her down on the table, removed her panties, then removed her tampon (not that I can fault him for that.... have you ever tried ****ing a girl without removing her tampon???), and had his way with her right then and there.
If you haven't already read this book you might be sitting there thinking that this must be the most shocking account of Motley Crues wild behavior in the entire book. But those of you who have read this book know as I do that it is far, far, FAR from being the most shocking story in the book. It's actually quite mild in comparison to the truly unbelievable stuff that's all there for the reader to discover in the pages of this book.
This certainly doesn't make my list of 'Best Novels of All Time' because of it's sofistication or brilliance. It only makes it on here as my recommendation because it is truly a book that once you open it up and start reading... you simply CAN'T put it down!
LOL... but then again, I'm probably more of a barbarian than many of you! haha
I think I'm going to have to stop by the library tonight on my way home. Sounds like just the kind of thing I need to read. (Really wish it was on the Kindle though!)
Well I expect we won't be hearing for you for a few days then... or however many days it takes you to read the book. Oh, and Kindle wouldn't dare touch this book for obvious reasons! lol
Well I expect we won't be hearing for you for a few days then... or however many days it takes you to read the book. Oh, and Kindle wouldn't dare touch this book for obvious reasons! lol
Got it on my lunch hour today.....can't wait. And wishing Kindle could touch it - I forgot that the lesser used books at the library have that 'old book' smell going on. Lol.
a lot of critics say the best american novel is Moby Dick. I went through that book and I have to say that it's a great story, but very very difficult to read all the way through, especially with the old english thing.
For me this was very influential. I was unhappy and everything was hard and I didn't know why until I read this book. Now I'm the happiest guy here. This book turned a bunch of light bulbs on for me. I don't know if it's because I was such a train wreck before I read it or if it really is all that. Probably some of both.
Well its hard to peg 1 single book..... The Complete Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy (though technically not one book when i first read it it was all together)
I think the best novel of all time is Animal Farm. Short and very well written. I simply love the analogy and metaphors of the story to the Russian Revolution. The story made me really interested in knowing more about the Revolution.
Second place would have to be The Princess Bride. That book is brilliantly written.
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