Mr. Heartbreak Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 Another vote for Hesse. I'd also suggest Magister Ludi (The Glass Bead Game). Great novel. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Synthesizer Patel Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 If you read The Trial, and enjoy The Trial; then see if you can pick up The Castle by Kafka at some point, as it's basically the same theme, but slightly more interesting (well, I thought so). And; if Kafka doesn't get you depressed enough, you should get Hunger by Knut Hamsun, which is about a man - a writer - (never find out his name, actually), who is starving to death slowly because he is too proud to beg for money, but is unable to sell his stories to make money to live. Nice. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jahilia Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 Another vote for Hesse. I'd also suggest Magister Ludi (The Glass Bead Game). Great novel. My favorite Hesse is Steppenwolf. Siddhartha and Journey to the East were both good (I didn't fiinsh The Glass Bead Game), but I really identify with the philosophy in Steppenwolf. There's so many layers to that book, it's just amazing. I've re-read it about 7 times.Nabokov is probably my favorite writer. If you haven't read Lolita, start with that - then move on to Pale Fire or Ada. You probably want to get through the stack you have, but a couple more can't hurt. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beltmann Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 Let's throw Thomas Hardy into the mix. Any of his novels will do, but I'm partial to The Mayor of Casterbridge. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jhh4321 Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 I would second Crying of Lot 49 and also suggest DeLillo's White Noise. DeLillo is a big fan of Pynchon and you can see the influence so you may want to go for 49 first. Both are a bit difficult to get through (49 more so) but fun reads. I read them both for a literature class last semester and enjoyed both quite a bit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bobbob1313 Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 I couldn't get through Confederacy of Dunces. That main character was by far the most annoying character ever. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bjorn_skurj Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 I read V and liked it but gave up on Gravity's Rainbow. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paula Deen Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 and after that: Confederacy of Dunces (if you've read it before, read it again). i would totally have to agree. this book changed my life in my early twenties, much in the same way catcher in the rye did in my teens. you absolutely must read this book. again and again and again. please allow me another quote: "I find, dear reader, that I have grown accustomed to the hectic pace of office life... I have succeeded in in initiating several work-saving methods. I have taken to arriving at the office one hour later than I am expected. Therefore, I am far more rested and refreshed when I do arrive, and I avoid that bleak first hour of the working day during which my still sluggish senses and body make every chore a penance. I find that in arriving later, the work which I do perform is of a much higher quality. My innovation in connection with the filing system must remain secret for the moment, for it is rather revolutionary..." Quote Link to post Share on other sites
c53x12 Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 Currently reading: The Children of Men by P.D. James. I haven't seen the movie yet, so I thought I'd try the book first. I'm about halfway through, and so far it's very good. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
austrya Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 I've only read 3 of the books you have listed, so I can only vote on those... First read Middlesex, then Of Mice and Men, and then Wuthering Heights. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
junkbond_trader Posted June 22, 2007 Author Share Posted June 22, 2007 Thanks all for the kind responses. I ended up reading "Of Mice and Men" first since it got some votes and its a quick read. I enjoyed it, but I wouldn't call it one of my favorites. Up next I think I am going to go with Herman Hesse or Kafka. I will also check out the books you mentioned and the authors. Thanks again Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jasmine Posted June 23, 2007 Share Posted June 23, 2007 am i the only vote for SALINGER? classic. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jenbobblehead Posted June 23, 2007 Share Posted June 23, 2007 Middlesex-Jeffrey Eugenides my sis is constantly raving about this book. It's next in line for me after Slaughterhouse 5i was woefully underwhelmed by this book (Middlesex) One Hundred Years of Solitude, however, is a great book and you should pick it back up and finish it.If you haven't read Kite Runner or Life of Pi yet, those are must reads and i continue to plug for one of my favorite books of all time: Winters Tale by Mark Helprin. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Basil II Posted June 25, 2007 Share Posted June 25, 2007 "A Drinking Life" by Pete Hamill I'm re -reading it for the 6th time.........A most powerful book.... -Robert Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tugmoose Posted June 25, 2007 Share Posted June 25, 2007 I couldn't get through Confederacy of Dunces. That main character was by far the most annoying character ever.Sir, your characterization is an egregious affront to taste and decency, geometry and theology! (God, please don't let Will Farrell play Ignatius J. Reilly on the big screen. One Chevy Chase was more than enough.) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paula Deen Posted June 25, 2007 Share Posted June 25, 2007 (God, please don't let Will Farrell play Ignatius J. Reilly on the big screen. One Chevy Chase was more than enough.) is that a possibility you've read somewhere??? nooooooooooooo! we need a disgusting pig of an actor...someone we've never seen before. unless they really wanna fatten up bill murray (not counting the razor's edge, please)....he is the only one that comes to mind immediately that could possibly pull it off...and i'm not totally sure of that...but please not Will Farrell. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
renic Posted June 25, 2007 Share Posted June 25, 2007 they need to use comic book guy. i couldn't finish the book either. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
etcetera Posted June 25, 2007 Share Posted June 25, 2007 White Noise is my favorite book. That gets my vote.I'm a little more than halfway through this right now and it's incredible. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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