Time Magazine's Top 100 Novels

[Moony]

Animal Farm by George Orwell
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis
Lord of the Flies by Willian Golding
Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien
1984 by George Orwell
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
White Noise by Don DeLillo

That's it, and all those in bold were assigned reading from class.

Thanks for the tip on Ulysses, guys.

[ragandbone]

Originally Posted by David

I don't read this contemporary fiction.

If you read "Gatsby," make sure you have the corrected edition (Matthew Broccoli or something -- the authorized text) out from Scribner. No greater a critic than Edmund Wilson Himself -- the towering Olympian among plebs -- messed up some of Fitzgerald's language in the editing: "Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future . . ." edited Wilson, when in fact Fitzgerald wanted "Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future . . ." The two words mean different things.

The corrected Scribner edition also replaces space breaks that were deleted in earlier editions; Fitzgerald used space breaks here & there in order to signal shifts in time or narrative.

Thanks for this information! I should reread "Gatsby", and I had no idea there was an authorized version. Is that E. O. Wilson, of the New Yorker? I didn't realize he edited the version I probably read in high school.

[Jyqm]

Originally Posted by ragandbone

I am not sure I think "Ubik" is Dick's best. And, Where's Truman Capote? I guess that's just how these lists are.

In Cold Blood isn't technically a novel, since it's not fiction, so they probably didn't even consider it.

I am more of a short story reader, so I don't read many novels.

But apparently you're reading the good ones, judging by your list!

I am about to read "Atonement",

I thought Atonement was really enchanting, but I know some people have thought the beginning of the book is very slow. Stick with it if it doesn't grab you right off the bat, though.

[Jyqm]

Originally Posted by Moony

Thanks for the tip on Ulysses, guys.

If you want any help with it or have any questions, I usually get very excited at the prospect of discussing it. I don't have my Gifford with me, but PM me anytime...

[ragandbone]

Originally Posted by Jyqm

In Cold Blood isn't technically a novel, since it's not fiction, so they probably didn't even consider it.

Yes, but I thought "Breakfast at Tiffany's" might be considered. Isherwood's "Berlin Stories" is very similar in some ways. Capote's short stories are his best work anyway.

Originally Posted by Jyqm

I thought Atonement was really enchanting, but I know some people have thought the beginning of the book is very slow. Stick with it if it doesn't grab you right off the bat, though.

I am looking forward to it. I enjoyed his novella, "The Comfort of Strangers". He has an ability to convey a sense of forboding and dread like Bowles, and I dig that.

Oops, I removed my complaint about the list not having Wharton on it. I just failed the close reading test, since the first post of this thread says after 1923! I figured this out when I realized Twain wasn't on it either. Doh!

[Moony]

Originally Posted by Jyqm

If you want any help with it or have any questions, I usually get very excited at the prospect of discussing it. I don't have my Gifford with me, but PM me anytime...

Cool, thanks for the offer! I will definitely take you up on that once I start it again.

[Merf]

Where is THE FOUNTAINHEAD by Ayn Rand?

This is crap.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by Merf

Where is THE FOUNTAINHEAD by Ayn Rand?

This is crap.

FABULOUS BOOK AND MOVIE!!!!!

I have read most on that list and there are some glaring omissions

[Moony]

Originally Posted by Merf

Where is THE FOUNTAINHEAD by Ayn Rand?

This is crap.

I'm trying to read that one. I think it's highly annoying so far

[Jyqm]

Originally Posted by Moony

I'm trying to read that one. I think it's highly annoying so far

Damn, you're just firing on all cylinders in the heavy readfing department, aren't you?

[Moony]

Originally Posted by Jyqm

Damn, you're just firing on all cylinders in the heavy readfing department, aren't you?

LOL. I suppose so. I'm trying to challenge myself right now.

[Jyqm]

Originally Posted by Moony

LOL. I suppose so. I'm trying to challenge myself right now.

Well, as I mentioned in the other reading thread, when you sit down with Ulysses again, be sure to give it your full attention. It demands it.

Now, where's ol' Brown Eyes? I want to know his thoughts on Ms. Rand.

[amber]

Originally Posted by Merf

Where is THE FOUNTAINHEAD by Ayn Rand?

This is crap.

I prefer Atlas Shrugged by quite a margin, but your point still holds.

I have 18:

Animal Farm
Are you there god, it's me margaret
Beloved
The Big Sleep
The Blind Assassin (strange little book, I love Atwood)
Brideshead Revisited
The Catcher in the Rye
Gone With the Wind
The Grapes of Wrath
The Great Gatsby
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (which is soooo not the best book in the series)
Lolita
Lord of the Flies
Naked Lunch
On the Road
To Kill a Mockingbird
Tropic of Cancer
White Noise


I agree tons of good books are missing.

[amber]

Originally Posted by Moony

I'm trying to read that one. I think it's highly annoying so far

Highly annoying? I thought it was good, as a story, but again I much prefer Atlas Shrugged.
Hmm, I guess it could be highly annoying. She does pound you over the head with her point. hahahaha.

[Jyqm]

Originally Posted by amber

Highly annoying? I thought it was good, as a story, but again I much prefer Atlas Shrugged.
Hmm, I guess it could be highly annoying. She does pound you over the head with her point. hahahaha.

And regardless what you think of her philosophical or literary merits, Ayn Rand made her living from being highly annoying. Woman was a total bitch, and probably one of the worst misappropriators of her own philosophy.