The Best CLASSIC novel of ALL TIME! - Page 3

Bilbo1967 · 10-04-2010, 03:54 PM

I think that I'd probably go for:

The Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
Germinal - Emile Zola

induna · 10-04-2010, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gollu

I've read a few of the already mentioned in the topic books, but IMO nothing comes close to Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. It's definitely not a page turner like LOTR or Dune but the complexity and the descriptions are one of a kind.

Crime and Punishment is also my pick, even though I've only read it in translation. I think it is a near perfect example of what the Novel can do. I know it's not a page-turner in the typical sense, but I read it from cover to cover over a weekend when I was in school, and that was one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had with a book.

Even though I probably wouldn't say they were the absolute best novels of all time, I'd like to throw in Gustave Flaubert's Madam Bovary and L'Education Sentimental if only for their wonderfully biting sarcasm and irony, along with great story-telling.

pdurrant · 10-04-2010, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K-Thom

And what about Shakespeare's scripts of his plays? Are they considered to be novels?

No. They're play scripts.

boswd · 10-04-2010, 09:03 PM

My vote goes to watership down

boswd · 10-04-2010, 09:05 PM

And a close second would mary shellys frankenstein

Tom Wood · 10-04-2010, 09:33 PM

Grump and Pout

Timoleon · 10-04-2010, 09:47 PM

Bleak House by Charles Dickens

mrscoach · 10-04-2010, 10:45 PM

It really depends on what I'm in the mood for, really. And what I've been reading recently. I also wonder on what would be considered 'classic'.

Martian Chronicles is a good one.

Piper_ · 10-04-2010, 11:00 PM

Ivanhoe

It might not be the very best, but it's close and doesn't get enough attention, so I'll claim it.

Following that, I'll go with:

LOTR
Quo Vadis
War and Peace
Odyssey & Illiad...

...so many more, this is impossible. lol

Lady Fitzgerald · 10-04-2010, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Williamlk

I thought this might be fun!

I am talking about CLASSIC novels only.

Which is the best of ALL TIME? In your opinion.

I am going to say my all-time favorite in terms of story, writing quality and substance is Dune

I just think Frank Herbert was an absolute genius.

That's kinda asking me which of my children are best.

church mouse · 10-05-2010, 04:14 AM

There are so many books I have yet to read that I can have no meaningful opinion on which is the "best novel of all time".

Of those I have read, my favourite 19th century book is Great Expectations, though Jude the Obscure comes a close second.

Of the 20th century, I choose 1984.

The book which made me cry the most was A Prayer for Owen Meany (the only time I have genuinely not wanted to turn the pages over because I so wished to not allow to happen what was going to happen).

Oh, and then there was that selected collection of Biggles stories which I picked up one day as a 11 year old and didn't sleep for 24 hours as I read the whole collection in one sitting.

astra · 10-05-2010, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piper_

Ivanhoe

It might not be the very best, but it's close and doesn't get enough attention, so I'll claim it.

Aw...

robkat · 10-05-2010, 04:32 AM

Les Miserable. Victor Hugo

lost66615 · 10-07-2010, 08:26 AM

war and peace is my fav book only one that i have in pback and hardback got about 10 different editions and a first english edition

patrickt · 10-07-2010, 08:50 AM

For me, it's Moby Dick by Herman Melville. I also thing the movie with Gregory Peck is awesome.

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10-04-2010, 03:54 PM	#31
Bilbo1967 Not scared! Posts: 13,424 Karma: 81011643 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Midlands, UK Device: Kindle Paperwhite 10, Huawei M5 10	I think that I'd probably go for: The Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck Germinal - Emile Zola

10-04-2010, 09:03 PM	#34
boswd Banned Posts: 2,391 Karma: 1001781 Join Date: May 2010 Device: The Nook, Nook color and Droid X	My vote goes to watership down

10-04-2010, 09:05 PM	#35
boswd Banned Posts: 2,391 Karma: 1001781 Join Date: May 2010 Device: The Nook, Nook color and Droid X	And a close second would mary shellys frankenstein

10-04-2010, 09:33 PM	#36
Tom Wood oddly human Posts: 82 Karma: 6872 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Kindle	Grump and Pout

10-04-2010, 09:47 PM	#37
Timoleon Time Enough at Last Posts: 387 Karma: 1151316 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: New England Device: iPad 3, iPhone 5, Kindle 3, Fire, Sony PRS-350	Bleak House by Charles Dickens

10-04-2010, 10:45 PM	#38
mrscoach Guru Posts: 767 Karma: 4837659 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: San Angelo Texas Device: Samsung Galaxy tab	It really depends on what I'm in the mood for, really. And what I've been reading recently. I also wonder on what would be considered 'classic'. Martian Chronicles is a good one.

10-04-2010, 11:00 PM	#39
Piper_ ~~~~~ Posts: 761 Karma: 1278391 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: USA Device: Kindle 3, Sony 350	Ivanhoe It might not be the very best, but it's close and doesn't get enough attention, so I'll claim it. Following that, I'll go with: LOTR Quo Vadis War and Peace Odyssey & Illiad... ...so many more, this is impossible. lol

10-05-2010, 04:14 AM	#41
church mouse Evangelist Posts: 493 Karma: 5277078 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: UK Device: Kobo Clara HD, Boox Poke 2, PocketBook Verse Pro (634)	There are so many books I have yet to read that I can have no meaningful opinion on which is the "best novel of all time". Of those I have read, my favourite 19th century book is Great Expectations, though Jude the Obscure comes a close second. Of the 20th century, I choose 1984. The book which made me cry the most was A Prayer for Owen Meany (the only time I have genuinely not wanted to turn the pages over because I so wished to not allow to happen what was going to happen). Oh, and then there was that selected collection of Biggles stories which I picked up one day as a 11 year old and didn't sleep for 24 hours as I read the whole collection in one sitting.

10-05-2010, 04:32 AM	#43
robkat Connoisseur Posts: 63 Karma: 38 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Scotland Device: Sony PRS 300	Les Miserable. Victor Hugo

10-07-2010, 08:26 AM	#44
lost66615 Enthusiast Posts: 38 Karma: 134 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: ENGLAND Device: kindle dx	war and peace is my fav book only one that i have in pback and hardback got about 10 different editions and a first english edition

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10-07-2010, 08:50 AM	#45
patrickt Wizard Posts: 1,221 Karma: 8381518 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Oaxaca, Mexico Device: Paperwhite 4 X 2	For me, it's Moby Dick by Herman Melville. I also thing the movie with Gregory Peck is awesome.