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The FBG Top 300 Books of All Time (fiction edition) | We are currently up to #60 | Running list in posts #3 and #4 (38 Viewers)
- Thread starter kupcho1
- Start date
TheBaylorKid
Footballguy
Chaos34
Footballguy
I ran that by kupcho and he gave it a thumbs up. Like my River Runs Through It, it's labeled semi-autobiographical. Both are likely more non fiction than fiction. I cheat. I mostly read non-fiction so this was a challenge for me.
krista4
Footballguy
@Uruk-Hai , I think you might have missed quoting this one, or I missed your quote. I need you on that wall!
I see now that there were two of mine on this list. I wondered why someone mentioned Things Fall Apart.
In terms of Go Tell It on the Mountain, I ranked it #7 but figured some people might have overlooked it by classifying it as non-fiction - I know that OH had, when I mentioned its omission from his list (where it would have been top 20). It's certainly semi-autobiographical, but still fiction. I won't say anything more than the craftmanship of James Baldwin's prose matches that of any of the greatest American writers. Full stop. Go read it if you haven't.
Oliver Humanzee
Footballguy
I have not read this, but reading your description reminded me that I completely forgot about the existence of his The Universal Baseball Association, Inc., J. Henry Waugh, Prop, which I discovered at Myopic Books in 2000 or so and it felt like finding a Rembrandt at a thrift store and should definitely have found it's way onto my list, and would have had I not forgotten its existence.
I haven't thought of Coover since reading (experiencing? absorbing?) Jon Bois's incredible 17776, which should also have found its way onto my list somehow.
shuke
Black Ice Skeptic
Agree, I like HST's articles and essays but was just meh on this book.
Dr_Zaius
Footballguy
Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A.Milne
I have 5 children’s books in my list, and this is my highest at number 10. I’m sure I can be accused of overrating this as my (now adult) kids still love Winnie the Pooh, and they spent hours playing with their stuffed toys in general, so I’d come home to a bunch of Poohs riding baskets on strings between floors, or to learn that the Sock Monkeys had started a rock band. How can I be objective with that background?
At any rate, I was only familiar with the characters from the Disney adaptations when my cousin got us this book when the kids were younger. From the very first chapter where Pooh decides that he will “deceive” the bees into letting him get their honey by floating nearby with a balloon and pretending to be a cloud, I was hooked. When the bees are not fooled and buzz suspiciously around him, Pooh implores Christopher Robin to get his umbrella and loudly worry about rain to help the subterfuge. When that fails to work it’s determined that rather than being a bad plan it’s being used on the “wrong sort of bees”. All of this delivered in that classic British deadpan style.
If you’re only familiar with the TV show and especially if you have young kids to read to, I’d encourage you to pick this up. Consistently witty, and the characters in the books have a lot more depth than they were given in the adaptations. Just a great way to bond with your kids while also helping them learn about the personalities that make up humanity.
I have 5 children’s books in my list, and this is my highest at number 10. I’m sure I can be accused of overrating this as my (now adult) kids still love Winnie the Pooh, and they spent hours playing with their stuffed toys in general, so I’d come home to a bunch of Poohs riding baskets on strings between floors, or to learn that the Sock Monkeys had started a rock band. How can I be objective with that background?
At any rate, I was only familiar with the characters from the Disney adaptations when my cousin got us this book when the kids were younger. From the very first chapter where Pooh decides that he will “deceive” the bees into letting him get their honey by floating nearby with a balloon and pretending to be a cloud, I was hooked. When the bees are not fooled and buzz suspiciously around him, Pooh implores Christopher Robin to get his umbrella and loudly worry about rain to help the subterfuge. When that fails to work it’s determined that rather than being a bad plan it’s being used on the “wrong sort of bees”. All of this delivered in that classic British deadpan style.
If you’re only familiar with the TV show and especially if you have young kids to read to, I’d encourage you to pick this up. Consistently witty, and the characters in the books have a lot more depth than they were given in the adaptations. Just a great way to bond with your kids while also helping them learn about the personalities that make up humanity.
Eephus
Footballguy
Universal Baseball Assn should have been right up my alley as an old tabletop baseball game nerd but I found the god allegory stuff obvious and repetitive. Maybe I'd feel the same way today about The Public Burning but at least it was funny.
I'll have a lot to say about the Dark Tower in my countdown. Most stuff is going to have relatively small, quick entries. But the core Dark Tower novels will be longer commentaries probably with some of my favorite quotes added in.
This is fascinating. As a trial for my thread I just did a draft of commentary for Wizard and Glass and made the comment that it is the most polarizing book in the series. Some consider it one of the greatest things King has ever written (I would be one - it won't be ranked #1 on my list, but there are some days I would consider it my favorite). Others feel just like you do and can't even finish it. I'll save my reasoning for that thread.
Don Quixote
Footballguy
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel (2009) (my #7)
I wrote this one up a little bit already with my write-up of Volume 2 in the series, Bring Up the Bodies, earlier on in the countdown. As I mentioned there, this series is about the rise and fall of Thomas Cromwell in court of King Henry VIII. This is the first volume and about the rise, as he becomes an aide to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey when King Henry VIII is looking to separate from Catherine of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn, and Cromwell positions himself to help make it happen.
If you care about awards, etc, from an award perspective, it won the Booker Prize, NYT list called it the 3rd best book of the 21st century, Guardian placed it first on its similar list. Obviously, I think it deserves all that, and it is my highest ranked book from 21st century.
I wrote this one up a little bit already with my write-up of Volume 2 in the series, Bring Up the Bodies, earlier on in the countdown. As I mentioned there, this series is about the rise and fall of Thomas Cromwell in court of King Henry VIII. This is the first volume and about the rise, as he becomes an aide to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey when King Henry VIII is looking to separate from Catherine of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn, and Cromwell positions himself to help make it happen.
If you care about awards, etc, from an award perspective, it won the Booker Prize, NYT list called it the 3rd best book of the 21st century, Guardian placed it first on its similar list. Obviously, I think it deserves all that, and it is my highest ranked book from 21st century.
kupcho1
Footballguy
Phase 3: Books 200 - 101 continued
Next, here are 11 more to make it an even 20 for the day (seems like a reasonable pace)
In this batch we had 7 people's #5 ranked book as well as a second appearance today from Sanderson's Stormlight Archives. Three picks for The New York Trilogy which I've never heard of so I hope we get a look into that one.
Next, here are 11 more to make it an even 20 for the day (seems like a reasonable pace)
| 152 | Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of N.I.M.H. | Robert C. O'Brien | TheBaylorKid |
| Fifth Business | Robertson Davies | Eephus | |
| Water for Elephants | Sara Gruen | Dr_Zaius | |
| The Way of the Kings | Brandon Sanderson | guru_007 | |
| The Stars My Destination | Alfred Bester | Barry2 | |
| The Lords of Discipline | Pat Conroy | timschochet | |
| Beloved | Toni Morrison | Mrs.Marco | |
| The Corrections | Jonathan Franzen | kupcho1, Don Quixote | |
| 151 | The Killer Angels | Michael Shaara | turnjose7, Eephus |
| 149 | Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix | J.K. Rowling | scoobus, Frostilicus |
| The New York Trilogy | Paul Auster | Oliver Humazee, krista4, shuke |
In this batch we had 7 people's #5 ranked book as well as a second appearance today from Sanderson's Stormlight Archives. Three picks for The New York Trilogy which I've never heard of so I hope we get a look into that one.
The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara
Pulitzer-prize winning account of the Battle of Gettysburg as seen from the perspective of several key players on both sides. The title comes from a passage in the book in which Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain recounts a conversation with his father about Hamlet's "What a piece of work is a man" speech (incidentally, my favorite Shakespeare passage), and another soldier replies "Well, if he's an angel, all right then...But he damn well must be a killer angel."
The book is a really excellent summary of the battle, but it also is brilliant in the way it portrays the thoughts of the various participants. Some might know it as being the source material for the movie Gettysburg, which is a decent movie but no where near as compelling as the book.
Michael's son Jeff would go on to write a prequel (Gods and Generals) and sequel (The Last Full Measure), both of which are also excellent but not as good as the original.
I'm actually quite surprised more people didn't rank this. It is my favorite piece of military writing ever, fiction or non-fiction.
Pulitzer-prize winning account of the Battle of Gettysburg as seen from the perspective of several key players on both sides. The title comes from a passage in the book in which Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain recounts a conversation with his father about Hamlet's "What a piece of work is a man" speech (incidentally, my favorite Shakespeare passage), and another soldier replies "Well, if he's an angel, all right then...But he damn well must be a killer angel."
The book is a really excellent summary of the battle, but it also is brilliant in the way it portrays the thoughts of the various participants. Some might know it as being the source material for the movie Gettysburg, which is a decent movie but no where near as compelling as the book.
Michael's son Jeff would go on to write a prequel (Gods and Generals) and sequel (The Last Full Measure), both of which are also excellent but not as good as the original.
I'm actually quite surprised more people didn't rank this. It is my favorite piece of military writing ever, fiction or non-fiction.
kupcho1
Footballguy
The Corrections (2001) by Jonathan Franzen was my #5 overall and frankly I'm surprised more people didn't rate it (shout out to @Don Quixote 
).
Some notes from Wiki:
The Corrections is at times heartbreaking and at others, uproariously funny. It explores the interpersonal dynamics of the Lambert family: father Alfred, mother Enid and children Gary, Chip and Denise. Enid wants the children to all come home for Christmas. The kids want anything but that, as each of them wrestles with issues of their own (crushing depression, unemployment and a Lithuanian "warlord" to name a few).
It's a post postmodern novel that was released in 2001 shortly before September changed everything. Here's The Guardian on the book:
).Some notes from Wiki:
- In 2005, The Corrections was included in TIME magazine's list of the 100 best English-language novels since 1923.
- The Corrections won the 2001 National Book Award for Fiction, the 2002 James Tait Black Memorial Prize, and was a finalist for the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, as well as the 2001 National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction and the 2002 PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction. It was also shortlisted for the 2003 International Dublin Literary Award.
- The novel was selected for Oprah's Book Club in 2001. However, Franzen publicly expressed ambivalence about the selection, criticizing its association with what he viewed as "schmaltzy" books. As a result, Oprah Winfrey rescinded his invitation to appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
The Corrections is at times heartbreaking and at others, uproariously funny. It explores the interpersonal dynamics of the Lambert family: father Alfred, mother Enid and children Gary, Chip and Denise. Enid wants the children to all come home for Christmas. The kids want anything but that, as each of them wrestles with issues of their own (crushing depression, unemployment and a Lithuanian "warlord" to name a few).
It's a post postmodern novel that was released in 2001 shortly before September changed everything. Here's The Guardian on the book:
kupcho1
Footballguy
This was just outside my top 70.
krista4
Footballguy
The Corrections (2001) by Jonathan Franzen was my #5 overall and frankly I'm surprised more people didn't rate it (shout out to @Don Quixote
I read this and his other "big" work. I absolutely loved both of them...for the first two-thirds. In each case, I felt like they really fell off somewhere around there, to the point that they made me mad.
If I could have, I'd have put half of The Corrections and half of the other together to form one entry on my list. Incredibly talented writer.
Eephus
Footballguy
The Corrections (2001) by Jonathan Franzen was my #5 overall and frankly I'm surprised more people didn't rate it (shout out to @Don Quixote
Some notes from Wiki:
The first two points are nice, but I expect it's the 3rd one that will win most of you over.
- In 2005, The Corrections was included in TIME magazine's list of the 100 best English-language novels since 1923.
- The Corrections won the 2001 National Book Award for Fiction, the 2002 James Tait Black Memorial Prize, and was a finalist for the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, as well as the 2001 National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction and the 2002 PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction. It was also shortlisted for the 2003 International Dublin Literary Award.
- The novel was selected for Oprah's Book Club in 2001. However, Franzen publicly expressed ambivalence about the selection, criticizing its association with what he viewed as "schmaltzy" books. As a result, Oprah Winfrey rescinded his invitation to appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
The Corrections is at times heartbreaking and at others, uproariously funny. It explores the interpersonal dynamics of the Lambert family: father Alfred, mother Enid and children Gary, Chip and Denise. Enid wants the children to all come home for Christmas. The kids want anything but that, as each of them wrestles with issues of their own (crushing depression, unemployment and a Lithuanian "warlord" to name a few).
It's a post postmodern novel that was released in 2001 shortly before September changed everything. Here's The Guardian on the book:
Mrs. Eephus bought me a copy for Xmas that year but I never got around to reading it. I was tangentially aware of the whole Oprah thing at the time and it was a turn off for me because I expected schmaltziness. Now that I know what happened, my belated apologies to Mr. Frantzen.
Don Quixote
Footballguy
I don’t go out of my way to read Oprah Book Club books, but I also don’t avoid them because they were selected as an Oprah Book Club book. I’ve got a handful of books on my list that were Oprah selections. Probably also have some that were Reese Witherspoon or Jenna Bush book club selections. A good book is a good book no matter who recommends it. 
Oprah later selected Franzen’s Freedom and he appeared on the show then for that one.
Oprah later selected Franzen’s Freedom and he appeared on the show then for that one.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
krista4
Footballguy
I don’t go out of my way to read Oprah Book Club books, but I also don’t avoid them because they were selected as an Oprah Book Club book. I’ve got a handful of books on my list that were Oprah selections. Probably also have some that were Reese Witherspoon or Jenna Bush book club selections. A good book is a good book no matter who recommends it.
Oprah later selected Franzen’s Freedom and he appeared on the show then for that one.
I remember at the time kind of thinking poorly of a book if I heard it was an Oprah book, which was probably silly for the reason you mentioned. Luckily my memory is bad enough at this point that I have no idea if I've picked Oprah books or not. And I've never heard of the other two book clubs you mentioned.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
This is a wonderful choice and one I would've forgotten if I had submitted a list. Kudos for remembering it, sir.
Frostillicus
Footballguy
I think I read this and I think I liked it.
shuke
Black Ice Skeptic
If that doesn't convince everyone to give it a try, I'm not sure what will.
krista4
Footballguy
He's working tonight, but I believe he'll be cooking tomorrow night, so I'll catch up on these then.
Mrs.Marco
Footballguy
The Corrections came out when I was home with small children and lived for my 4pm appointment with Oprah. So I was not pleased with Franzen slammed me as a potential reader, and maybe I haven't quite forgiven him yet. But I read the book anyway and found a lot to admire. All these years later, I am still puzzled why any author would dismiss a category of readers who were reading all kinds of literary novels due to Oprah's recommendation. Dumb, Franzen, dumb. I did not buy his other books.The Corrections (2001) by Jonathan Franzen was my #5 overall and frankly I'm surprised more people didn't rate it (shout out to @Don Quixote
Some notes from Wiki:
The first two points are nice, but I expect it's the 3rd one that will win most of you over.
- In 2005, The Corrections was included in TIME magazine's list of the 100 best English-language novels since 1923.
- The Corrections won the 2001 National Book Award for Fiction, the 2002 James Tait Black Memorial Prize, and was a finalist for the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, as well as the 2001 National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction and the 2002 PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction. It was also shortlisted for the 2003 International Dublin Literary Award.
- The novel was selected for Oprah's Book Club in 2001. However, Franzen publicly expressed ambivalence about the selection, criticizing its association with what he viewed as "schmaltzy" books. As a result, Oprah Winfrey rescinded his invitation to appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
The Corrections is at times heartbreaking and at others, uproariously funny. It explores the interpersonal dynamics of the Lambert family: father Alfred, mother Enid and children Gary, Chip and Denise. Enid wants the children to all come home for Christmas. The kids want anything but that, as each of them wrestles with issues of their own (crushing depression, unemployment and a Lithuanian "warlord" to name a few).
It's a post postmodern novel that was released in 2001 shortly before September changed everything. Here's The Guardian on the book:
Mrs.Marco
Footballguy
I just started this one today! Grabbed me on the first page!
Mrs.Marco
Footballguy
#6 A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry
A hefty Dickensian novel filled with quirky characters, human outrages and wild coincidences but all set in India. A delightful and gripping read.
#5 Beloved by Toni Morrison
I remember thinking, how does she use words this way? Poetic, tragic and true. One of the true great American writers and I'm so glad that she won the Nobel Prize for her work.
A hefty Dickensian novel filled with quirky characters, human outrages and wild coincidences but all set in India. A delightful and gripping read.
#5 Beloved by Toni Morrison
I remember thinking, how does she use words this way? Poetic, tragic and true. One of the true great American writers and I'm so glad that she won the Nobel Prize for her work.
Eephus
Footballguy
Added this one to my neverending queue
Eephus
Footballguy
164t. Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan (2017)
A homefront novel set in a WWII-era New York City populated by defense workers, gangsters, sailors and union men. The plot is driven by two quests of a young woman: to discover the reasons for her father's disappearance and to become a sea diver repairing navy ships. She's an interesting character with a special kinship to the sea. In retrospect, I may have ranked this one too highly but I remember being spellbound by it while reading.
A homefront novel set in a WWII-era New York City populated by defense workers, gangsters, sailors and union men. The plot is driven by two quests of a young woman: to discover the reasons for her father's disappearance and to become a sea diver repairing navy ships. She's an interesting character with a special kinship to the sea. In retrospect, I may have ranked this one too highly but I remember being spellbound by it while reading.
Eephus
Footballguy
151. The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara (1974)
This vivid depiction of the battle of Gettysburg kickstarted the Shaara family business which is good work if you can get it.
I ranked it in the low 60s thinking that others would vote for it as well and I'd get a higher commonality score than I got in the TV poll.
This vivid depiction of the battle of Gettysburg kickstarted the Shaara family business which is good work if you can get it.
I ranked it in the low 60s thinking that others would vote for it as well and I'd get a higher commonality score than I got in the TV poll.
timschochet
Footballguy
Taipan by James Clavell
Although he’s more famous for Shogun this is nearly as good a novel and some like it better. Clavell was sort of a modern version of Dickens, with lots of characters and great drama. The great theme of all his novels was how East meets West. Taipan is also IMO essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the west’s relationship with China (which frankly should be everyone.)
Although he’s more famous for Shogun this is nearly as good a novel and some like it better. Clavell was sort of a modern version of Dickens, with lots of characters and great drama. The great theme of all his novels was how East meets West. Taipan is also IMO essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the west’s relationship with China (which frankly should be everyone.)
Long Ball Larry
Footballguy
I haven’t , but I’ve seen roadhouse. Mans search for faith, that sort of ****.
timschochet
Footballguy
The Man by Irving Wallace
Written in the mid-60s, this tremendous novel is about a black man who accidentally becomes President of the United States during the middle of the Civil Rights movement. That makes it dated but it really doesn’t matter because the story and characters are so compelling. This is a great old fashioned feel good novel.
Written in the mid-60s, this tremendous novel is about a black man who accidentally becomes President of the United States during the middle of the Civil Rights movement. That makes it dated but it really doesn’t matter because the story and characters are so compelling. This is a great old fashioned feel good novel.
Long Ball Larry
Footballguy
I see this in a lot of used book stores and always think I should read it because of its reputation, but I don’t really have that much interest that historical period. Should I get past that?
timschochet
Footballguy
The Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy.
Just about everything Conroy wrote was superb but this novel is my favorite: about Citadel University, Charleston, the 60s. It is dark and moving and just a great great story. The basketball chapter might be the best sports fiction I’ve ever read.
Just about everything Conroy wrote was superb but this novel is my favorite: about Citadel University, Charleston, the 60s. It is dark and moving and just a great great story. The basketball chapter might be the best sports fiction I’ve ever read.
Eephus
Footballguy
152t. Fifth Business by Robertson Davies (1970)
The first part of the Deptford Trilogy by the great Canadian man of letters Robertson Davies. It's a standalone novel but connects to the other two entries of the trilogy via character relationships. This one is structured as the reminiscences an old man looking back at his boyhood and time as a soldier in WWI. He goes on to become a hagiographer who studies the lives of the saints and becomes fascinated by the mythical elements that animate ordinary lives.
Fifth Business was my highest ranked book that I hadn't read or re-read this century. I had fond memories of it and the other two parts of the trilogy but wasn't quite sure why so I picked up a copy and am currently about 25% through it. Davies is a delightful writer and his depiction of a small Canadian town and its inhabitants has still charmed me the second time through. So thanks kupcho and this thread for reuniting me with Davies.
The first part of the Deptford Trilogy by the great Canadian man of letters Robertson Davies. It's a standalone novel but connects to the other two entries of the trilogy via character relationships. This one is structured as the reminiscences an old man looking back at his boyhood and time as a soldier in WWI. He goes on to become a hagiographer who studies the lives of the saints and becomes fascinated by the mythical elements that animate ordinary lives.
Fifth Business was my highest ranked book that I hadn't read or re-read this century. I had fond memories of it and the other two parts of the trilogy but wasn't quite sure why so I picked up a copy and am currently about 25% through it. Davies is a delightful writer and his depiction of a small Canadian town and its inhabitants has still charmed me the second time through. So thanks kupcho and this thread for reuniting me with Davies.
Eephus
Footballguy
James Earl Jones starred in the movie version. I tracked it down after his death last year but the print was unwatchable even by my low standards.
Psychopav
Help us, Joebi-Wan Brynobi, you're our only ho
Dostoevsky's Demons (or The Possessed):
Dostoevsky's Demons (also known as The Possessed) is a dark and politically charged novel set in a provincial Russian town. It centers around the arrival of the enigmatic Nikolai Stavrogin, whose magnetic personality and complex past influence a web of interconnected characters, including the idealistic liberal Stepan Verkhovensky and his revolutionary son Pyotr. As Pyotr orchestrates a nihilistic and destructive political cell, the town descends into chaos, marked by manipulation, violence, and ultimately, tragic deaths that expose the dangerous consequences of radical ideologies and the seductive power of nihilism.
Demons stands as one of Dostoevsky's greatest works due to its profound psychological exploration of individuals consumed by destructive ideologies and its chillingly prophetic depiction of the potential for societal collapse fueled by nihilistic fervor. Its complex characters, intense drama, and sharp critique of the intellectual and political currents of 19th-century Russia make it a timeless and disturbingly relevant masterpiece.
It's a shame that I'm the only one who ranked this novel. I would be curious to know the rationale if there's anyone participating in this thread who read this book but didn't consider it for ranking. In the same way that Chernobyl helped me understand how Soviets felt national pride and "got things done" in a socialist system, Demons - written 30 years prior to the 1905 revolution - showed how socialism took root in Russian society, and how it was able to grow with the help of true believers.
Joseph Frank wrote an excellent 5 volume biography of Dostoevsky. I didn't read it, but about 10-12 years ago I read a single volume abridged version of this work (link). In that biography, Frank included a Pushkin poem entitled "The Prophet" which really hit home when I read Demons. It was translated by D.M. Thomas:
The Prophet
By A.S. Pushkin
(Translated by D.M. Thomas)
Parched with the spirit's thirst, I crossed
An endless desert sunk in gloom,
And a six-winged seraph came
Where the tracks met and I stood lost.
Fingers light as dream he laid
Upon my lids; I opened wide
My eagle eyes, and gazed around.
He laid his fingers on my ears
And they were filled with roaring sound:
I heard the music of the spheres,
The flight of angels through the skies,
The beasts that crept beneath the sea,
The heady uprush of the vine;
And, like a lover kissing me,
He rooted out this tongue of mine
Fluent in lies and vanity;
He tore my fainting lips apart
And, with his right hand steeped in blood,
He armed me with a serpent's dart;
With his bright sword he split my breast;
My heart leapt to him with a bound;
A glowing livid coal he pressed
Into the hollow of the wound.
There in the desert I lay dead.
And God called out to me and said:
'Rise, prophet, rise, and hear, and see,
And let my words be seen and heard
By all who turn aside from me.
And burn them with my fiery word.'"
ps: when I read the biography, I paused when I got to the publishing of each work, in order to read it in context, as it were. It was glorious and my family thought I was nuts.
Dostoevsky's Demons (also known as The Possessed) is a dark and politically charged novel set in a provincial Russian town. It centers around the arrival of the enigmatic Nikolai Stavrogin, whose magnetic personality and complex past influence a web of interconnected characters, including the idealistic liberal Stepan Verkhovensky and his revolutionary son Pyotr. As Pyotr orchestrates a nihilistic and destructive political cell, the town descends into chaos, marked by manipulation, violence, and ultimately, tragic deaths that expose the dangerous consequences of radical ideologies and the seductive power of nihilism.
Demons stands as one of Dostoevsky's greatest works due to its profound psychological exploration of individuals consumed by destructive ideologies and its chillingly prophetic depiction of the potential for societal collapse fueled by nihilistic fervor. Its complex characters, intense drama, and sharp critique of the intellectual and political currents of 19th-century Russia make it a timeless and disturbingly relevant masterpiece.
It's a shame that I'm the only one who ranked this novel. I would be curious to know the rationale if there's anyone participating in this thread who read this book but didn't consider it for ranking. In the same way that Chernobyl helped me understand how Soviets felt national pride and "got things done" in a socialist system, Demons - written 30 years prior to the 1905 revolution - showed how socialism took root in Russian society, and how it was able to grow with the help of true believers.
Joseph Frank wrote an excellent 5 volume biography of Dostoevsky. I didn't read it, but about 10-12 years ago I read a single volume abridged version of this work (link). In that biography, Frank included a Pushkin poem entitled "The Prophet" which really hit home when I read Demons. It was translated by D.M. Thomas:
The Prophet
By A.S. Pushkin
(Translated by D.M. Thomas)
Parched with the spirit's thirst, I crossed
An endless desert sunk in gloom,
And a six-winged seraph came
Where the tracks met and I stood lost.
Fingers light as dream he laid
Upon my lids; I opened wide
My eagle eyes, and gazed around.
He laid his fingers on my ears
And they were filled with roaring sound:
I heard the music of the spheres,
The flight of angels through the skies,
The beasts that crept beneath the sea,
The heady uprush of the vine;
And, like a lover kissing me,
He rooted out this tongue of mine
Fluent in lies and vanity;
He tore my fainting lips apart
And, with his right hand steeped in blood,
He armed me with a serpent's dart;
With his bright sword he split my breast;
My heart leapt to him with a bound;
A glowing livid coal he pressed
Into the hollow of the wound.
There in the desert I lay dead.
And God called out to me and said:
'Rise, prophet, rise, and hear, and see,
And let my words be seen and heard
By all who turn aside from me.
And burn them with my fiery word.'"
ps: when I read the biography, I paused when I got to the publishing of each work, in order to read it in context, as it were. It was glorious and my family thought I was nuts.
Long Ball Larry
Footballguy
I was reading up more about this book this weekend based on this thread and I was very intrigued. I am part of a book club where everyone just reads whatever they want and they bring it and share their thoughts and then put them up for trade (usually). I was going to ask if anyone had read this, for some additional perspective, and lo and behold, some dude comes in with the actual book and is ridiculously fired up about its. He’s not very far into it, so hopefully he finishes this month and I can grab it at the next meeting…
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
Oh, nice - that is one that I had forgotten about. I read that one after I went to India for a couple weeks for school and really liked it.
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
I care to a point. For some reason when buying books I avoid the O and I avoid the book covers with the movie tie-in pictures on them. One of the many weird tics I have. I was at the used store today and almost got Revolutionary Road and a Stephen King book, but both had the movie covers so I passed. I got a random horror novel instead.I don’t go out of my way to read Oprah Book Club books, but I also don’t avoid them because they were selected as an Oprah Book Club book. I’ve got a handful of books on my list that were Oprah selections. Probably also have some that were Reese Witherspoon or Jenna Bush book club selections. A good book is a good book no matter who recommends it.
Oprah later selected Franzen’s Freedom and he appeared on the show then for that one.
Don Quixote
Footballguy
I find the period interesting too and like historical fiction, which probably helps, but it is more than that. House of Cards-ish realpolitik as Cromwell tries to obtain and hold onto his influence.
Hard for me to say if you will enjoy it or not.
krista4
Footballguy
I don't think I'd avoid the movie covers if I really wanted to read something and it were the only option, but I'll definitely go out of my way to get the non-movie-cover version.
I do have the movie cover version of Dead Man Walking, but it's because, a year or so before he died, my Dad went to a book signing by Sister Helen Prejean specifically to get an autographed copy for me, and what he did and she wrote to me makes me well up even as I'm typing this.
Eephus
Footballguy
shuke
Black Ice Skeptic
Very cool club concept. Also, that book is now calling you.
Oliver Humanzee
Footballguy
I haven't read it in 20+ years, so it might seem that way to me, too.
kupcho1
Footballguy
I'd like resolution for all of the coins please.
kupcho1
Footballguy
Phase 3: Books 200 - 101 continued
Moving right along, a 10-way tie for 139th place
A few new authors to the list as well as several repeats, including 2 more from Stephen King.
Back later to comment on my selection
Moving right along, a 10-way tie for 139th place
| 139 | City of Thieves | David Benioff | Long Ball Larry |
| Birdsong | Sebastian Faulks | Eephus | |
| The Heart is a Lonely Hunter | Carson McCullers | ilov80s | |
| Night Shift | Stephen King | turnjose7 | |
| Magister Ludi, the Glass Bead Game | Hermann Hesse | guru_007 | |
| Little Dorrit | Charles Dickens | Mrs.Marco | |
| Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince | J.K. Rowling | scoobus | |
| The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay | Michael Chabon | kupcho1 | |
| Carrie | Stephen King | KeithR, shuke | |
| Tenth of December | George Saunders | Don Quixote, Oliver Humanzee, krista4, rockaction |
A few new authors to the list as well as several repeats, including 2 more from Stephen King.
Back later to comment on my selection
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
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