So, I said it was coming - I would be eternally grateful if, via the comments page, you can recommend books for me to marvel at and devour. Especially wanted are any books easy or light enough to read on the beach this summer :-)
Thank you! I shall start off with a recommendation of my own. Karen Wallace's Raspberies on the Yangtze captures a similar languid exploration of childhood to The Catcher in the Rye, but with a more powerful (to me) evocation of learning, loss and the dwindling of childhood. It's for 11-year-olds upwards, but easily qualifies as a wonderful, moving read for grown-ups.
Posted by biondino at June 13, 2002 12:37 PM*rubs hands*
Tell me your five favorite books (that aren't Italian, please) so I can have some basis to work off of as to what you enjoy.. BOOK WISE, that is.
Posted by: Llew on June 13, 2002 09:47 PMOh God, that's not fair!
It's also impossible, as it happens. Imagine Stephen Fry bumping into Joseph Heller in one of Haruki Murakami's hotels, with Nick Hornby noting down what happens. That should do for starters.
Posted by: Mark on June 14, 2002 12:55 PMGrr. I was going to come over all excitable and recommend my current favourite, Haruki Murakami, but it seems you already like him so I am denied the pleasure. Also, since you like Nick Hornby there is probably no hope for you.
Posted by: Archel on June 14, 2002 01:18 PMI knew the Hornby digs would be imminent. I just didn't expect them from you, Rachel. Yes, hang your head, you foul snob!
And in case anyone's wondering, The Basic Eight is already on muh shopping list :-)
Posted by: Mark on June 14, 2002 03:34 PMSnob? Or woman of impeccable taste?
OK, so try this then: Death and the Penguin, by Andrey Kurkov. Good if you like Russians. And/or penguins.
Posted by: Archel on June 17, 2002 04:15 PMI bought J.M. Coetzee's 'Disgrace' originally because I needed some change, and then finished it in a few hours. Lovely prose, pure and refreshing.
Posted by: Genevieve on September 15, 2002 03:26 AMI recommend "Menzogna e Sortilegio" - one of my faves!
Posted by: Christian Cecchi on October 22, 2002 10:30 AM