Comments on: Seven Fascinating Literary Works for Bookworms

By: Stephanie Moore

Stephanie Moore — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 23:49:21 +0000

This is AWESOME!
Books make me happy.They really do. Maybe I am addicted…
Anyway, thumbs up for One Hundred Years of Solitude and Catch-22-I have both and my copies are all do-eared and covered in coffee stains.
I haven’t read the others but I keep hearing about them. Time to give ‘em a try I guess…

By: Allison Jae

Allison Jae — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 22:31:40 +0000

I’m a total bookworm.I could go for any one of these.

By: CPAG9Y

CPAG9Y — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 10:59:47 +0000

Excellent article!!! I’ll definitely be getting hold of some of these books!!!

By: PR Mace

PR Mace — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 06:34:52 +0000

Wow, it took me longer the read the comments than the article. Which by the way was good. I loved ” Catch 22 “, I read it around the same time I read ” Mash and Mash’s Goes to Maine”. I was around 12 and when my mother found out what I was reading, I got in a lot of trouble. But what an education. I love to read and will have to try out some of the ones on your list I have missed. Thanks.

By: Verniel Cutar

Verniel Cutar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 06:23:49 +0000

hi rjd, im glad that fact and opinion are two different things. Your manner of labeling these literary works as “poor, substandard, and written by a group of authors belonging to a pseudo-academic circle”, is your personal opinion. The opinion of literary critics who awarded these novels and authors with Pulitzers, National Book Awards, and Nobel Prizes carries much more weight. I guess your statement that these novels are “run-of-the-mill prose” would be entirely true if you’re the only reader in the world (and by then, it’s your only opinion that would matter). The last time I checked though, hundreds and possibly thousands of literature lovers still maintain their respect for these authors.

I am not too much inclined towards Dostoevsky, Tolstoy and other similar writers. But I still maintain my respect for their work because theirs are tremendous examples of great literature. To call them “poor” and “substandard” just because they are not my favorites would reflect a foolishness on my part.

Delillo’s writing style stands out by breaking free from the norms of storytelling. Updike presents the reality of modern American life, and he attempts to lessen the romanticism and idealism commonly present in other novels (which is why I think you did not like him). And then think twice about calling Garcia Marquez “substandard’. Remember, the “Lost Generation” writers Hemingway, Fitzgerald etc. were also misunderstood in the past because they presented a totally different way of storytelling. I think it’s happening all over again, this time, with your so called “New York pseudo-academic circle”.

Here’s another contemporary author who’ll probably cause you to freak out: Cormac McArthy. Pulitzer Prize Winner, writer of No Country For Old Men, and “The Road”. Hmm..another substandard work for you, I presume? Nahh..for me it’s called modern day literature, and I am confident that these will be hailed as timeless classics in the future, and then you’ll be glad I posted this article.

Cheers and have a good day!

By: rjd

rjd — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 02:35:25 +0000

Actually, I have read Rushdie, Roth, Updike, et al, but find that whole ‘New York pseudo-academic circle quite dull. I don’t really care about their characters’ potential impotence problems, mainly because they’re not very interesting and the writing style is poor. With regards to Heller, don’t get me wrong – I think Catch 22 is a great novel, but Heller has not written anything to equal it. And yes, I have read Atlas Shrugged, as well as Anthem and We the Living By Ayn Rand. All are excellent books. I really enjoy novels, short stories, plays, poems and essays that show great sparks of imagination – books that startle, surprise, amaze, annoy, unsettle, provoke, etc. Real fiction, not just run-of-the-mill pedestrian prose. Fill the world with great novels only and let the substandard be pulped – as that’s all it’s fit for. It’s very simple – if the story isn’t absolutely phenomenal, then trees should not die for it.

By: djohnson

djohnson — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 03:00:42 +0000

I am definately a book worm , always finding myself at the library and f its a book I like the book store to add it to my collection. I think you just suggested my next read, breathing lessons by Anne Tylor – Thanks!!!!!

By: SoccerFanatic14

SoccerFanatic14 — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 21:41:10 +0000

I LOVE catch 22!!!!

By: Chad Lutz

Chad Lutz — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:37:43 +0000

Dude, Delillo and Heller are two of my favorite authors EVER! Great list here old boy. I do say, good show!

By: Verniel Cutar

Verniel Cutar — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 01:57:04 +0000

rjd, hats off to the books you mentioned especially the Fountainhead by Ayn Rand (I also love the other one entitled Atlas Shrugged, by the same author). Naked Lunch is uncommonly well too. I see you’re a reader with good taste. But to disparage authors such as Rushdie, DeLillo, Updike and others, and implying that their works are examples of poor literature, is very uncharacteristic of a true literary enthusiast. Im sorry but one cannot speak ill of these authors and their works without sounding like an ignoramus. I suppose you haven’t read them, and if indeed you haven’t, maybe you should start with a little bit of Delillo, then you can move on to Philip Roth and Toni Morrison. Being highly appreciative of good literature as you are, I have no doubts that you will find these authors extremely valuable. Cheers and good day to all!