Best stand alone novels - any genre, any author

[Pickering]

I just finished Swan Song and I really liked it. It's a post apocalyptic story with a little fantasy thrown in (a la The Stand).

[PKFFW]

Originally Posted by FizzyWater

Mystic River or Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane.

Of course, if you've seen the movies, a lot of the "punch" of these books will be lost.

I've seen Mystic River but not Shutter Island so I will give it a try.

Originally Posted by Pickering

I just finished Swan Song and I really liked it. It's a post apocalyptic story with a little fantasy thrown in (a la The Stand).

I've been thinking of trying some post apocalyptic stuff. Never read any before but it seems like something that could work for me. Swan Song looks like a good place to start.

Thanks for the ideas.

Cheers,
PKFFW

[Stitchawl]

Shutter Island really threw me for a loop! Loved it... I think.


Stitchawl

[John F]

How about John Irving?

[Ea]

Originally Posted by PKFFW

I had actually forgotten about Neil Gaiman, having read American Gods but nothing else. So thanks for reminding me of such a great author.

Based on your tastes, I was just about to recommend "America Gods"

But I'd like to suggest:

"The end of Mr. Y" by Scarlett Thomas
From goodreads: "A cursed book. A missing professor. Some nefarious men in gray suits. And a dreamworld called the Troposphere? Ariel Manto has a fascination with nineteenth-century scientists—especially Thomas Lumas and The End of Mr. Y, a book no one alive has read. When she mysteriously uncovers a copy at a used bookstore, Ariel is launched into an adventure of science and faith, consciousness and death, space and time, and everything in between. [...] With The End of Mr. Y, Scarlett Thomas brings us another fast-paced mix of popular culture, love, mystery, and irresistible philosophical adventure."

"Fingersmith" or "Affinity" by Sarah Waters - gothic victorian thrillers with convoluted plots involving several layers of deception.

[BenG]

Lord Valentine's Castle by Robert Silverberg. There are sequels but the first one works as a stand alone sci-fi novel.

The Princess Bride by William Goldman. I liked it much more than the movie.

Imajica by Clive Barker

Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut

A Night In the Lonesome October by Roger Zelazny

Dune by Frank Herbert. It's better to pretend it's a stand alone novel.

Perdido Street Station by China Mieville

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by BenG

Lord Valentine's Castle
Dune by Frank Herbert. It's better to pretend it's a stand alone novel.

Sad but true. It really was a great read, and everything done afterwords to try to prolong it failed dismally, both book and movie.



Stitchawl

[Simon Wood]

I would recommend:

NO SECOND CHANCE by Harlan Coben
GONE FOR GOOD by Harlan Coben
A SIMPLE PLAN by Scott Smith
I AM LEGEND by Richhard Matheson

Four great books that I re-read at least once a year.

[Genaro Zamora]

Right off the back the only ones that I can think of would be,
Along came a spider and Kiss the girls.
Both by James Patterson.
But they may not classify as stand alone novels.

Many good ones are done in series.

[J. Strnad]

I was going to recommend one of my favorite s-f books, Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes, and then it all went pear-shaped.

Flowers for Algernon (made into the movie Charly) is not available as an ebook!

This is inconceivable to me!

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by J. Strnad

I was going to recommend one of my favorite s-f books, Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes, and then it all went pear-shaped.

Flowers for Algernon (made into the movie Charly) is not available as an ebook!

This is inconceivable to me!

Just one of many old backlist titles that have yet to see the light of day (at least not legally). I wonder if a publisher has digital rights to it or if they lie with the author.

[PKFFW]

Thanks again for all the good suggestions everyone. I'm really looking forward to reading some stuff different to what I normally do.

Cheers,
PKFFW

[Poppa1956]

I like the classics. Tale of Two Cities by Chuckie Dickens, is a winner on my list.
I also just plowed through American Gods by Neil Gaiman. I'd highly recommend it, especially if you surrealism quota is a little low.

[afa]

Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie.

Based in the same world as (and features some of the minor characters from) The First Law trilogy, but you don't have to have read the latter to enjoy it.

[goodscoolwf]

If you really want to try some new style, perhaps you can give some attention to Tony Morrision, maybe not trendy, but always leave somewhat courage for life.