BBC's best British novels

[doubleshuffle]

Originally Posted by HarryT

It is a little lacking in the "feel good factor" . So are most of Hardy's books, come to that. Not a great fan of happy endings, our Thomas!

You're right of course about the lack of happy endings in Hardy's novels, but Jude is the only one that is nothing but depressing from page 1.

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by doubleshuffle

You're right of course about the lack of happy endings in Hardy's novels, but Jude is the only one that is nothing but depressing from page 1.

[Ravensknight]

Only 12 here. I honestly thought I would have more. Well, this gives me some goals for the coming years I guess...

[4691mls]

I've read 8 of them.
After all the talk of Middlemarch, I guess I should add it to my TBR list.

[astrangerhere]

I've read 18, including both of the Woolf novels. But my first degree was in literature, so that is pretty par for the course. It's the modern ones I've not read - McEwan, Zadie Smith, and Doris Lessing. I've also not managed that particular Hardy or Tom Jones.

Those wondering about reading Woolf - I highly recommend reading Mrs. Dalloway and then reading The Hours by Michael Cunningham (or at least seeing the film) as soon as possible thereafter.

[Phogg]

I have read ten of them.

[DrNefario]

Only four for me, and one of those was for a school English Literature class, so I can't say how much I really read of it.

I also started Jane Eyre a while ago, on one of my e-readers, but got distracted.

My four does include the two SF classics on the list, of course - Frankenstein and Nineteen Eighty-Four. I read Frankenstein last year, and I don't think it would make my top 25 books of the year, let alone my top 25 British novels of all time. It's an important book, but I didn't think it was a particularly great read.

[HomeInMyShoes]

I've read five and can't say I cared about them much really. I seem to have a problem with the 19th Century and the United Kingdom somewhere in my synapses.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by HomeInMyShoes

I've read five and can't say I cared about them much really. I seem to have a problem with the 19th Century and the United Kingdom somewhere in my synapses.

For me, the 19th century was truly the era of great British novelists: Jane Austen, the Brontë sisters, Charles Dickens, George Eliot, Anthony Trollope, Thomas Hardy - the list goes on and on. All among my very favourite books.

We all have different tastes, though; that of course goes without saying.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by HarryT

For me, the 19th century was truly the era of great British novelists: Jane Austen, the Brontë sisters, Charles Dickens, George Eliot, Anthony Trollope, Thomas Hardy - the list goes on and on. All among my very favourite books.

I noted that Trollope, my very favorite of the Victorians, didn't crack the top 25. Neither did George Meredith among others, but I suppose that he's probably not read much any more. I suspect that two factors that hurt Trollope were his literary fecundity, making choice difficult, and that his best known books were in two series, of which the first was not the best book.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by issybird

I suspect that two factors that hurt Trollope were his literary fecundity, making choice difficult, and that his best known books were in two series, of which the first was not the best book.

Very true. I love both the "Barchester" and the "Pallisers" series.

[Rizla]

BBC Culture contributor Jane Ciabattari polled 82 book critics, from Australia to Zimbabwe.

So a poll of academics. That's why the books are mostly so dull and dusty. Two Virgina Wolf? Really?

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Rizla

So a poll of academics.

It said "book critics". Why do you think that a book critic equates to an academic?

Two Virgina Wolf? Really?

Nope. Count again.

Personally I think it's a wonderful selection, but I've always loved "classic" literature. Each to his own.

[Phogg]

Originally Posted by Rizla

So a poll of academics. That's why the books are mostly so dull and dusty. Two Virgina Wolf? Really?

But if plebeians were polled the wrong sort might be counted great.

As an example; do you not realize how hard and relentlessly the united academia worked to keep Robert Service in his place during his lifetime?
Where is your appreciation for that? Where is your respect for the ivory tower?

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Phogg

Where is your appreciation for that? Where is your respect for the ivory tower?

I ask you the same question as I've asked Rizla, Phogg. Why do you equate "book critic" with "academic" and "ivory tower"?