Works of Staggering Fiction

[Asherian]

I've recently decided to re-dedicate myself to reading more fiction. Normally I'm more a sci-fi/fantasy kind of girl, but reading to much Camus and Palahniuk is making me want to work on expanding my fiction author list. Anyone have authors they'd recommend/avoid like a dire plague upon all humanity? I'm normally most into existential-eske items, just really not sure where to start. I've been told House of Leafs might be a good place..

Philip K. Dick is another big favorite of mine, though most people forget he wrote anything but sci-fi. Mostly cause his fiction fell so flat of anyone caring. Also read Lovecraft, Jim Butcher, Pratchett(if the signature wasn't a clue.), Heinlein, Louis McMasters Bujold, Robert Jordan, and Brandon Sanderson.

Also kind of surprised this forum area is so slow, seems like reading is at least a semi-common hobby among most of the forumers.

Oh and The Iluminatus trilogy made sense. Apparently that isn't supposed to happen, (I was recently informed that I was broken beyond repair for the fact.)

[mountainmage]

If you want short but heavy reading, Joseph Conrad is a classic, excellent short-story writer. The ending of "Heart of Darkness" is some of the most well-written stuff I've ever read.

If you want long but heavy reading, Dostoevsky is a sure pick. "The Idiot" is existentialism hidden behind romance and Russian upper-class gossip, and is truly a good read, albeit dry here and there. But what good classical fiction isn't?

[Asherian]

I'll have to look into getting those two, I'd heard of Dostoevsky, but didn't know where to start with him or the exact nature of his work. Also just tend to get confused where to start, dry is fine. After all Camus isn't exactly full of passion and vigor.

I think the stuff that isn't dry has been marinated 2-3 days in a nice oyster sauce, then sauteed for a few minutes. Very juicy then.

[diode_dirigible]

depends what kind of fiction you want, but if you want a well written book go for something by Markus Zusak. He did the Book Thief recently, but I didn't like it as much as his other stuff, namely The Messenger

[Cirtur]

Lord of the Flies is a fantastic book.

[cheez.wiz]

I, for one would advocate Steinbeck.

Richard Bachman (yes, he's really Stephen King, but don't hold it against him) wrote some pretty good stuff. "Rage" and "The Long Walk" mainly, but "Thinner" has its merits(or had, at least, it's been a while since i opened that book). John Irving's "The world according to Garp" was awesome, always moving me from laughter to sad feelings. Nick Hornsby's "High Fidelity" was spot on on the subject of neurotic self analysing men in modern times (if i say so myself).

That said, i personally hated Dostoyevsky. And Camus is like, a hundred time more lively than Sartre is. At least.

[Cirtur]

Tomorrow I'm going to have to write about 4 pages on "Of Mice and Men". There really aren't words for how much I dislike Steinbeck at the moment. The pearl is disturbing.

[TwoBuy]

hmm.. The Pearl was the only book of his I was remotely interested while reading. Agreed that he's not the greatest writer.

[Lethal Interjection]

I didn't want to de-rail the Kipling thread, but it brought to mind another author, Roald Dahl.
Specifically a book called Revolting Rhymesthat I read back in Grade 6 or so. Hilarious spin/retake on several Fairy Tales (complete with a few minor swears which were a pleasure to find at that age). I'm not 100% sure it would still hold up, but I remember finding it really funny, and I have desired to go back an read it over time.

[Kidd]

Tomorrow I'm going to have to write about 4 pages on "Of Mice and Men". There really aren't words for how much I dislike Steinbeck at the moment. The pearl is disturbing.

I enjoyed "Of Mice and Men".

The only thing I've ever read that I disliked (Other than the Eragon series. I WILL NEVER DROP MY VENDETTA AGAINST CHRISTOPHER PAOLINI) was "The Scarlett Letter." I don't remember who wrote it, but asshole made me cry in the sixth grade, and for that, they must die.

[mountainmage]

Odd...I liked The Scarlet Letter. The only book I had to read for High School English that I didn't like was Catcher in the Rye. Ugh.

[Sahan]

I always loved reading, but I hated Robinson Crusoe. It came to the stage that it was the only book I had that I'd never read, and I finally forced myself to read it through to the end about 5 years ago, which was the first time I ever had to do that. It was just so boring, I mean, it was about a guy recounting every day of his 20 years on a deserted island. No inner monologue or exploration of the mind, just "I found a goat. Maybe I can breed them and survive, so I can bore you for another 100 GODDAMN PAGES!"

So yeah, in my opinion, worst book I ever read. Even if it was a classic.

[TwoBuy]

Jane Eyre is the worst book that has EVER been forced down my gullet. The bronte sisters can suck a dick. I'd rather read about angsty teen vampires.

[cheez.wiz]

Nausea by Sartre is the only book i never finished.

I think i'm still halfway through catcher in the rye, but it's only because i lost the book. I think.

[ruotwocone]

a tale of two cities... utter shite.