When I was struggling with my Catholic faith as a young adult, I found his writings to be very illuminating. The Power and The Glory blew my mind and opened me up to a world of critical thinking
I’ve read The Ministry of Fear and Our Man In Havana and loved both but they are similar. Our Man In Havana is funnier, though. I like John Le Carre too.
there are a lot of great authors not on the list – you have to remember that it wasn’t put together by experts in literature, but by sales and popularity, and poles. The idea now is voting for the best in the list. I hope you go and vote often for the books you feel really are great literature so the ones you think are not good get pushed to the bottom of the list. (The idea is to get people reading and talking about the books – and that is working beautifully)
Yes, I am well aware of that, but thanks for your input. I think it’s important to express admiration for authors not on the list so as to expand all of our reading lists!
I could not believe that, either!! I tried to read it but the writing was just SOOOOOO bad! It wasn’t the X rated nature of it – that doesn’t bother me at all – it was just so so bad I didn’t even get through the first chapter!
I am a fan and I have several books on my shelf that I haven’t read for years. I think it is time to reread them. I will start with The End of the Affair.
There is one I go back to & it’s James Fenimore Cooper, Last of the Mohicans. We learned about that in school & it’s part of a series of books. The main character’s name was Natty Bumppo (Hawk eye in the book.), for some reason over 21 years later, it’s stuck with me. Just read some where Natty Bumppo was America’s first literary hero & James Fenimore Cooper was America’s first major novelist.
An extraordinary writer. Not one of his books is similar to his other books. His writing transforms from book to book.
And no William Golding!
When I was struggling with my Catholic faith as a young adult, I found his writings to be very illuminating. The Power and The Glory blew my mind and opened me up to a world of critical thinking
@Amanda I probably read that book thirty years ago and found it hard but beautiful. It has never left me.
I’ve read The Ministry of Fear and Our Man In Havana and loved both but they are similar. Our Man In Havana is funnier, though. I like John Le Carre too.
Travels with My Aunt is a delightful Graham Greene read!
@Amanda Flannery O’Connor as well
@Amanda I loved The Honorary Consul for similar reasons
Would have preferred more established rites of Graham Greene’s ilk over currrnt, trendy successes on this list
If you want a real treat, listen to The End of the Affair audible book. Colin Firth narrates it and it is wonderful!
@Rena will do!!!
Isn’t it exquisite?
@Mary that is a great word for it! The language, the performance are all so elegant. Another good word! ?
Also, no Pearl S. Buck or Alan Patton!
Or Milan Kundera!!
Faulkner??
Milan Kundera is one of my favorite authors
there are a lot of great authors not on the list – you have to remember that it wasn’t put together by experts in literature, but by sales and popularity, and poles. The idea now is voting for the best in the list. I hope you go and vote often for the books you feel really are great literature so the ones you think are not good get pushed to the bottom of the list. (The idea is to get people reading and talking about the books – and that is working beautifully)
Love this site. Inspiring!♥️
Howbout a write in category?
@Mark that would have been nice… I know I never saw anything about this until it was announced last spring and the 100 books were already chosen.
Yes, I am well aware of that, but thanks for your input. I think it’s important to express admiration for authors not on the list so as to expand all of our reading lists!
No Barabara Kingsolver BUT Shades of Gray??!! Yuck.
I could not believe that, either!! I tried to read it but the writing was just SOOOOOO bad! It wasn’t the X rated nature of it – that doesn’t bother me at all – it was just so so bad I didn’t even get through the first chapter!
@Sheryl it’s like reading the romance novels!!
@Michele I really think some of those are literary giants compared to Fifty Shades of Gray!!
@Sheryl ditto!!! I’m always so amazed who lovvvved it. Horrid blathering.
Vote was for the best loved book. Different strokes…
Oh I haven’t read him in years!! I really liked the ones of his I read. May have to revisit some of his books.
I’m going to reread The End of the Affair. I recall that it had a profound effect on a much younger me
one of my favorites
Such a beautiful story
I am a fan and I have several books on my shelf that I haven’t read for years. I think it is time to reread them. I will start with The End of the Affair.
R G Ellory. If you haven’t read him do start now
No Sinclair Lewis either
No Mailer, no Vidal, no Farrell, no Bellow..Do I sense a pattern here?
No Bukawski, no Burroughs. Juts kidding, Of course not.
I know!! Tragic!
Willa Cather!
Edith Wharton, Joyce Carol Oates, Annie Proulx, Celeste Ng, Emily Cline…
Yes, Edith Wharton!
But 50 Shades is???
Popular list
There is one I go back to & it’s James Fenimore Cooper, Last of the Mohicans. We learned about that in school & it’s part of a series of books. The main character’s name was Natty Bumppo (Hawk eye in the book.), for some reason over 21 years later, it’s stuck with me. Just read some where Natty Bumppo was America’s first literary hero & James Fenimore Cooper was America’s first major novelist.
Yes! Willa Cather. Bess Streeter Aldrich
Stephen Crane, Updike, Cheever
Chandler, Shirley Jackson
I would definitely put him on the list! I have shelves of his novels! And I love Monsignor Quixote the most!