BBC's best British novels

[Zetmolm]

I've read all except one (The Golden Notebook). But it's a long time ago for most of these books, and I don't remember much of them. Guess I should re-read some of them.

No, D.H. Lawrence is not an oversight. None of his books belong in the top 2500, let alone in the top 25.

[HarryT]

Thanks, Bilbo. All our "missing" authors appear in that longer list.

[doubleshuffle]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Ireland became an independent country in 1922, so authors like Wilde (who died in 1900) were British citizens their entire life. The selection, though, was specifically of novels, and Wilde is of course best known as a playwright, and I don't think that his one novel, "The Picture of Dorian Gray", is likely to make anyone's "best novels" list! Joyce died in 1941, so can reasonably be considered an Irish author rather than a British one.

Thanks, Harry. Wasn't considering the date of Irish independence when I made my post. But that makes things even more of a mess, doesn't it? Ulysses was published in serialized form between 1918 and 1920, and in book form in February 1922, when Ireland nominally wasn't independent yet. So Joyce was a British citizen when he published it, wasn't he? And yet it may not be included in a list of the greatest British novels? Sounds a bit arbitrary to me.

So I think some of the 82 critics may have decided to err on the side of caution in the case of authors who are not totally obviously English...

[issybird]

I missed out on Clarissa and White Teeth. Clarissa's never going to happen; it's too long. But given how often Zadie Smith crops up on these lists, I have to get to her.

Originally Posted by Bilbo1967

Wonder no more! They were;

26. The Lord of the Rings
27. Robinson Crusoe

From the top 100 of the same poll, that can be seen here;

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/201...british-novels

Thank you!

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by doubleshuffle

Thanks, Harry. Wasn't considering the date of Irish independence when I made my post. But that makes things even more of a mess, doesn't it? Ulysses was published in serialized form between 1918 and 1920, and in book form in February 1922, when Ireland nominally wasn't independent yet. So Joyce was a British citizen when he published it, wasn't he? And yet it may not be included in a list of the greatest British novels? Sounds a bit arbitrary to me.

I agree - it does seem arbitrary to make such a distinction!

[pdurrant]

There's a remarkably even split between male and female authors in the top 25. Although with four out of the top five, the female authors take pride of place.

[tdonline]

I've read two. There are a number that I 'read' for school, meaning bits and pieces but never cover to cover.

I started To the Lighthouse on my own, but didn't finish it. I've had Middlemarch on my ereader/phone/laptop for years and have yet to crack it open. The shame. Maybe the audiobook version will get me going. They do love their Virginia Woolf, eh?

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by tdonline

I've read two. There are a number that I 'read' for school, meaning bits and pieces but never cover to cover.

I started To the Lighthouse on my own, but didn't finish it. I've had Middlemarch on my ereader/phone/laptop for years and have yet to crack it open. The shame. Maybe the audiobook version will get me going. They do love their Virginia Woolf, eh?

"Middlemarch" is an absolutely wonderful book. I do encourage you to give it a go!

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by HarryT

"Middlemarch" is an absolutely wonderful book. I do encourage you to give it a go!

I must admit that I'm considering adding it to my TBR for next year.

[doubleshuffle]

Not much love for William Golding. Lord of the Flies at #93, that's it.

[doubleshuffle]

Originally Posted by HarryT

"Middlemarch" is an absolutely wonderful book. I do encourage you to give it a go!

I gave up on George Eliot because The Mill on the Floss bored me to tears (but I finished it!). Is Middlemarch much different?

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by doubleshuffle

Not much love for William Golding. Lord of the Flies at #93, that's it.

I think I was put off it by, like most British schoolchildren, being forced to read it at school.

I gave up on George Eliot because The Mill on the Floss bored me to tears (but I finished it!). Is Middlemarch much different?

I certainly enjoyed "Middlemarch" a lot more, but of course that's purely a personal viewpoint.

[doubleshuffle]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I think I was put off it by, like most British schoolchildren, being forced to read it at school.

Not only British schoolchildren... Not a great fan either, just found it interesting that the sentiment seems so widespread.

Brilliant final sentence though.

[tdonline]

Originally Posted by HarryT

"Middlemarch" is an absolutely wonderful book. I do encourage you to give it a go!

I know, I know, that's what I keep hearing! I gotta get around to it. So many books, so little time, so inefficient reader.

Not every book gets gets voted the greatest British novel of all time...

[doubleshuffle]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I certainly enjoyed "Middlemarch" a lot more, but of course that's purely a personal viewpoint.

Thanks. Many people tell me I should try it. I'll get round to it eventually.