Native
Footballguy
Ok just plowed through this book. Could not put it down - the last 200 pages in particular were outstanding. Thanks so much for sharing!
Looking forward to the top 20.
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timschochet's thread- Mods, please move this thread to the Politics Subforum, thank you (2 Viewers)
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Looking forward to the top 20.
timschochet
Footballguy
19. A Time To Kill
John Grisham
1989, 515 pages
legal thriller
John Grisham's best novel is his first one. The plot is relatively simple: a young black girl in the deep South is raped by two rednecks. Her father kills the rednecks, shooting them in the courtroom. A young attorney tries to get him off. Grisham explores race relations, the law, the south, all with great knowledge and suspense. But what makes this novel so compelling are the colorful characters, from the old drunk disbarred Lucius to the sleazy divorce lawyer Harry Rex to the corrupt black nightclub owner in Memphis...in none of Grisham's other novels does he give us such a great group of flawed but fascinating people to examine. That being said, the young lawyer, Jake Brigance, is truly heroic.
This novel was made into a fine film in 1996, though much was changed: the father, played by Samuel L. Jackson, has a somewhat different personality. A new character is created: Kiefer Sutherland as a particularly vicious KKK member. And so on. Still, it's a pretty good rendering (compared to some of the other films made from novels on this list.)
Up next: a coming to age novel about South Africa...
John Grisham
1989, 515 pages
legal thriller
John Grisham's best novel is his first one. The plot is relatively simple: a young black girl in the deep South is raped by two rednecks. Her father kills the rednecks, shooting them in the courtroom. A young attorney tries to get him off. Grisham explores race relations, the law, the south, all with great knowledge and suspense. But what makes this novel so compelling are the colorful characters, from the old drunk disbarred Lucius to the sleazy divorce lawyer Harry Rex to the corrupt black nightclub owner in Memphis...in none of Grisham's other novels does he give us such a great group of flawed but fascinating people to examine. That being said, the young lawyer, Jake Brigance, is truly heroic.
This novel was made into a fine film in 1996, though much was changed: the father, played by Samuel L. Jackson, has a somewhat different personality. A new character is created: Kiefer Sutherland as a particularly vicious KKK member. And so on. Still, it's a pretty good rendering (compared to some of the other films made from novels on this list.)
Up next: a coming to age novel about South Africa...
timschochet
Footballguy
timschochet
Footballguy
When I get done with this list (hopefully soon) I will review my 100 favorite movies.
msommer
Footballguy
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
timschochet
Footballguy
18. The Power of One
Bryce Courtenay
1989, 516 pages
Coming of age, historical novel
In order to fully appreciate this brilliant novel, you probably need to know a little bit about the history of South Africa. Not that much, but if you don't know about the Boer War, the British concentration camps, the resulting sympathy by many Afrikaners for the Nazis during World War II, the rise of Apartheid, you might be a little lost. But the story will still be great nonetheless.
For one thing, it's the best sports fiction I have ever encountered. I'm disappointed that there isn't more good sports fiction. Marathon Man had great running scenes. There is a terrific softball scene in a book i will be reviewing shortly, and my favorite novel by Pat Conroy, upcoming, has an incredible college basketball chapter. But the boxing scenes in The Power of One (and Tandia, previously reviewed) rise above all the rest. They're also positive, as is the entire novel; most fiction about boxing is pretty negative stuff. This is more Rocky than Raging Bull.
But the boxing is only a small part of an epic novel that covers racism, class differences, anti-Semitism, the British private school system, religion, music, chess, gambling, prison life, mining, and more. Historical and suspenseful, the characters are fascinating and the story never falters. Unfortunately, for some reason, this novel is not currently available on Kindle, so you'll have to have it shipped to you if you want to read it (though it might still be in the bookstores.) There is both an American and Australian version; the only difference that I'm aware of is that the main Jewish character has his named changed in the American version (in the original version, it's *****; perhaps somebody objected to that after Jesse Jackson's statements a few years back.) There is also a heavily edited children's version that IS available on Kindle, but that won't give you the full novel.
Up next: One of Stephen King's two great magnum opuses...
Bryce Courtenay
1989, 516 pages
Coming of age, historical novel
In order to fully appreciate this brilliant novel, you probably need to know a little bit about the history of South Africa. Not that much, but if you don't know about the Boer War, the British concentration camps, the resulting sympathy by many Afrikaners for the Nazis during World War II, the rise of Apartheid, you might be a little lost. But the story will still be great nonetheless.
For one thing, it's the best sports fiction I have ever encountered. I'm disappointed that there isn't more good sports fiction. Marathon Man had great running scenes. There is a terrific softball scene in a book i will be reviewing shortly, and my favorite novel by Pat Conroy, upcoming, has an incredible college basketball chapter. But the boxing scenes in The Power of One (and Tandia, previously reviewed) rise above all the rest. They're also positive, as is the entire novel; most fiction about boxing is pretty negative stuff. This is more Rocky than Raging Bull.
But the boxing is only a small part of an epic novel that covers racism, class differences, anti-Semitism, the British private school system, religion, music, chess, gambling, prison life, mining, and more. Historical and suspenseful, the characters are fascinating and the story never falters. Unfortunately, for some reason, this novel is not currently available on Kindle, so you'll have to have it shipped to you if you want to read it (though it might still be in the bookstores.) There is both an American and Australian version; the only difference that I'm aware of is that the main Jewish character has his named changed in the American version (in the original version, it's *****; perhaps somebody objected to that after Jesse Jackson's statements a few years back.) There is also a heavily edited children's version that IS available on Kindle, but that won't give you the full novel.
Up next: One of Stephen King's two great magnum opuses...
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
I was just at a book sale at one of the libraries nearby and picked up your #19 and #21 for less than $1 total. Will get to a couple of these after your countdown is done.
timschochet
Footballguy
17. It
Stephen King
1986, 1,138 pages
horror
In one sense, It is an extension of Stephen King's earlier novella The Body, (the basis for the film Stand By Me.). Like that story, King concentrates on 11-12 year old children in a small town in Maine in the 1950s, relating stories both clearly autobiographical and somewhat reminiscent of Tom Sawyer or Our Town. This is Americana at it's most ideal. And yet there is so much more. King explores the relationships between children and adults almost effortlessly, and in examining his characters both as children and adults 27 years later, he shows both the similarities and evolution of personalities over time. While doing this, he manages to describe the history of a small town, with lots of great vignettes, from a discussion of racism in the 30s, the early labor movement, a Bonnie and Clyde like gangster scene, all the way to discussing gay bashing in the 80s.
And that's just the beginning. King explores, in great depth, spousal abuse, the evolution of rock and roll, the trials of obesity, anti-Semitism, the snobbery of literature readers (in light of this list, a personal favorite of mine), architecture, native American culture, and metaphysics.
Oh, and did I mention this is a horror novel featuring an extremely terrifying clown who kills children?
This is Stephen King at his very best. I actually have his other magnum opus ranked a little higher, but I'd be willing to accept an argument that It is his finest work. There is so much to love about this novel. Satisfying in every way.
Up next: the best courtroom novel I have ever read, out of print and hard to find...
Stephen King
1986, 1,138 pages
horror
In one sense, It is an extension of Stephen King's earlier novella The Body, (the basis for the film Stand By Me.). Like that story, King concentrates on 11-12 year old children in a small town in Maine in the 1950s, relating stories both clearly autobiographical and somewhat reminiscent of Tom Sawyer or Our Town. This is Americana at it's most ideal. And yet there is so much more. King explores the relationships between children and adults almost effortlessly, and in examining his characters both as children and adults 27 years later, he shows both the similarities and evolution of personalities over time. While doing this, he manages to describe the history of a small town, with lots of great vignettes, from a discussion of racism in the 30s, the early labor movement, a Bonnie and Clyde like gangster scene, all the way to discussing gay bashing in the 80s.
And that's just the beginning. King explores, in great depth, spousal abuse, the evolution of rock and roll, the trials of obesity, anti-Semitism, the snobbery of literature readers (in light of this list, a personal favorite of mine), architecture, native American culture, and metaphysics.
Oh, and did I mention this is a horror novel featuring an extremely terrifying clown who kills children?
This is Stephen King at his very best. I actually have his other magnum opus ranked a little higher, but I'd be willing to accept an argument that It is his finest work. There is so much to love about this novel. Satisfying in every way.
Up next: the best courtroom novel I have ever read, out of print and hard to find...
timschochet
Footballguy
16. The Seven Minutes
Irving Wallace
1969, 607 pages
courtroom drama
It seems hard to believe nowadays, but up to about the mid-1970s censorship of novels was a very real thing in American society. Certain books such as Ulysses, Lady Chatterly's Lover, Tropic of Cancer, The Catcher In the Rye, even Flowers for Algernon, were considered obscene or pornographic and banned in certain cities and libraries. Several of these books underwent famous obscenity trials. The Seven Minutes is a fictional description of one of these trials: a slim book about sex, (somewhat similar to a Henry Miller novel), published only in France, is suddenly found and printed decades later. A college student rapes a girl and claims the book drove him to it, and this leads to the trial.
And what a trial it is. Even though the issue of obscenity seems dated now, this novel is IMO the best courtroom drama ever written (with the possible exception of a military courtroom small portion of a larger novel that I'll get to later). The drama is incredible, the suspense and surprise builds to the end with a very satisfying conclusion. This is a great melodrama, with heroes and villains (and man are the villains despicable.) There is an awesome scene where the prosecution produces a young housewife who testifies that the novel is filthy and "unChristian." The hero of the novel, the defense attorney, challenges her: he offers her quotes from different books and asks her if she considers them obscene or not obscene. The first 3 books she declares as not obscene, and the lawyer reveals that previous courts did in fact, attempt to ban these 3 famous novels. The attorney then reads and summarizes quotes from a 4th book which the housewife says is "utterly obscene"; the lawyer reveals the quotations were taken from the Bible.
Irving Wallace is forgotten now but he was one of the great popular novelists of the last century. His writing style is riveting, and his knowledge of the subject is extremely deep. There are two Irving Wallace novels on this list, both in my top 16, so I think pretty highly of him. Unfortunately, this particular novel is out of print, and if you want a copy you'll have to find it or send for it on Amazon. The good news is it should be pretty cheap.
Up next: the novel that created an entire entertainment genre...
Irving Wallace
1969, 607 pages
courtroom drama
It seems hard to believe nowadays, but up to about the mid-1970s censorship of novels was a very real thing in American society. Certain books such as Ulysses, Lady Chatterly's Lover, Tropic of Cancer, The Catcher In the Rye, even Flowers for Algernon, were considered obscene or pornographic and banned in certain cities and libraries. Several of these books underwent famous obscenity trials. The Seven Minutes is a fictional description of one of these trials: a slim book about sex, (somewhat similar to a Henry Miller novel), published only in France, is suddenly found and printed decades later. A college student rapes a girl and claims the book drove him to it, and this leads to the trial.
And what a trial it is. Even though the issue of obscenity seems dated now, this novel is IMO the best courtroom drama ever written (with the possible exception of a military courtroom small portion of a larger novel that I'll get to later). The drama is incredible, the suspense and surprise builds to the end with a very satisfying conclusion. This is a great melodrama, with heroes and villains (and man are the villains despicable.) There is an awesome scene where the prosecution produces a young housewife who testifies that the novel is filthy and "unChristian." The hero of the novel, the defense attorney, challenges her: he offers her quotes from different books and asks her if she considers them obscene or not obscene. The first 3 books she declares as not obscene, and the lawyer reveals that previous courts did in fact, attempt to ban these 3 famous novels. The attorney then reads and summarizes quotes from a 4th book which the housewife says is "utterly obscene"; the lawyer reveals the quotations were taken from the Bible.
Irving Wallace is forgotten now but he was one of the great popular novelists of the last century. His writing style is riveting, and his knowledge of the subject is extremely deep. There are two Irving Wallace novels on this list, both in my top 16, so I think pretty highly of him. Unfortunately, this particular novel is out of print, and if you want a copy you'll have to find it or send for it on Amazon. The good news is it should be pretty cheap.
Up next: the novel that created an entire entertainment genre...
timschochet
Footballguy
15. The Godfather
Mario Puzo
1969, 448 pages
crime fiction
Mario Puzo's novel is extremely similar to the first film (and also the Robert DeNiro scenes in the second film). The only real difference is that added attention is given to the "Frank Sinatra" character (Johnny Fontane), his singing partner Nino (a combination, perhaps, of Dean Martin or Louis Prima?) as well as Lucy Mancini (Sonny's girlfriend) and doctor named Jules who does not appear in the film. Other than these changes, the plot line and dialogue is extremely similar. Which doesn't take anything away from the novel, as the film is great and the novel is nearly as good.
Puzo was supposedly ashamed of this novel; he considered it pulp crap compared to the more "serious" stuff he wrote before, like The Fortunate Pilgrim. I guess I'm a fan of pulp crap (as you might be able to tell by this list) because I loved The Godfather and was never able to finish The Fortunate Pilgrim. For that matter, I was never able to complete any other Puzo novels, not even the ones he wrote later on like The Sicilian, and The Last Don, trying to market the success of his bestseller. Or The Fourth K.
Nor for that matter was I able to read any of the three books about the Corleones that have appeared after Puzo's death: The Godfather Returns, The Godfather's Revenge, and The Family Corleone. All of these received good reviews, and I plunged into all three eagerly, hoping to find the characters again that fascinated me so much in the original novel. And I was forced to put down all three in frustration, same as the later Puzo novels. Whatever narrative skill he had that was captured so magically in The Godfather, he was never able to repeat, at least not for me. Like a well known rock star, who you like for one great song- not a one hit wonder but that song is the only one you like- but what a great song!
Up next: a quiet novel about two religious Jewish boys in Brooklyn...
Mario Puzo
1969, 448 pages
crime fiction
Mario Puzo's novel is extremely similar to the first film (and also the Robert DeNiro scenes in the second film). The only real difference is that added attention is given to the "Frank Sinatra" character (Johnny Fontane), his singing partner Nino (a combination, perhaps, of Dean Martin or Louis Prima?) as well as Lucy Mancini (Sonny's girlfriend) and doctor named Jules who does not appear in the film. Other than these changes, the plot line and dialogue is extremely similar. Which doesn't take anything away from the novel, as the film is great and the novel is nearly as good.
Puzo was supposedly ashamed of this novel; he considered it pulp crap compared to the more "serious" stuff he wrote before, like The Fortunate Pilgrim. I guess I'm a fan of pulp crap (as you might be able to tell by this list) because I loved The Godfather and was never able to finish The Fortunate Pilgrim. For that matter, I was never able to complete any other Puzo novels, not even the ones he wrote later on like The Sicilian, and The Last Don, trying to market the success of his bestseller. Or The Fourth K.
Nor for that matter was I able to read any of the three books about the Corleones that have appeared after Puzo's death: The Godfather Returns, The Godfather's Revenge, and The Family Corleone. All of these received good reviews, and I plunged into all three eagerly, hoping to find the characters again that fascinated me so much in the original novel. And I was forced to put down all three in frustration, same as the later Puzo novels. Whatever narrative skill he had that was captured so magically in The Godfather, he was never able to repeat, at least not for me. Like a well known rock star, who you like for one great song- not a one hit wonder but that song is the only one you like- but what a great song!
Up next: a quiet novel about two religious Jewish boys in Brooklyn...
Mr. Mojo
Footballguy
My favorite book of all time. I never get tired of reading it again.
As far as Stephen King, my favorite is The Dead Zone.
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
Take it for what it's worth, as I read this one in Middle School/High School when I was devouring King's books, but I remember being really annoyed by the last part of the book and the ending. I have had issues with how King's books end (don't think he sticks the landing a lot of times), but this one seemed to annoy me more than others. Maybe it was the length of the book, and I had the feeling that I got though the 1000pgs before it to end like that? Again, I don't remember specifics, I just still have this feeling/memory when I think of the book now, so much so that I still have yet to get around to reading The Stand. Don't mind not loving the ending of a book when it's a few hundred pages, but different story if I am trudging though 1000+.
wikkidpissah
Footballguy
I remember the summer before the movie came out, i'd be walking down the beach and it seemed every other lounge chair had someone reading or the book folded out on a towel of this title that didn't look at all like Love Story or Jacqueline Susann that i was used to seeing. Looks like we got us a phenomenon, i thought. Shonuff turned out to be so. Same thing with Exorcist a couple years later - EVERY beach chair.timschochet said:
timschochet
Footballguy
14. The Chosen
Chaim Potok
1967, 304 pages
coming of age novel
This quiet novel, which takes place in the Jewish section of Brooklyn during and just after World War II, begins with a dramatic softball game, in which two religious boys meet: one Orthodox, one Hasidic. It's the relationship between these two friends which forms the heart of this story, along with the relationship between the Hasidic boy and his father, a Tzaddik (leader) of the Hasidic community. Although the novel is about two Jewish teenagers, the themes are universal: dogmatic religious values vs. less dogmatic religious values; and religion in general vs. secularism.
There isn't that much I want to post about this novel because in so doing I might give away the plot essentials. Despite the quiet nature of the action (most of it is conversation) this really is a very gripping story about different worlds, and indeed one of the most powerful novels I have ever read. Both this novel and the sequel well deserve their place in the top 20 of this list.
Up next: The saga of The Chosen continues...
Chaim Potok
1967, 304 pages
coming of age novel
This quiet novel, which takes place in the Jewish section of Brooklyn during and just after World War II, begins with a dramatic softball game, in which two religious boys meet: one Orthodox, one Hasidic. It's the relationship between these two friends which forms the heart of this story, along with the relationship between the Hasidic boy and his father, a Tzaddik (leader) of the Hasidic community. Although the novel is about two Jewish teenagers, the themes are universal: dogmatic religious values vs. less dogmatic religious values; and religion in general vs. secularism.
There isn't that much I want to post about this novel because in so doing I might give away the plot essentials. Despite the quiet nature of the action (most of it is conversation) this really is a very gripping story about different worlds, and indeed one of the most powerful novels I have ever read. Both this novel and the sequel well deserve their place in the top 20 of this list.
Up next: The saga of The Chosen continues...
timschochet
Footballguy
13. The Promise
Chaim Potok
1969, 368 pages
coming of age
This sequel continues where The Chosen left off, centering around two intertwined story lines: the Hasidic Jew, Danny Saunders, has now abandoned his family as is studying as a young psychoanalyst; in that capacity he must try to help with the mental problems of a young teenager. Meanwhile the orthodox Jew, Reuven Malter, is studying to be a rabbi, but he faces a teacher who demands that he accept the Talmud as inerrant; Reuven prefers a different method of more open interpretation. This struggle represents a microcosm of all modern conflicts between those who choose to take religious scriptures literally and those who do not. Reuven struggles to find a way to keep his faith yet allow for reason and science not to be ignored.
As an atheist, it might seem strange that I would so enjoy a novel by a religious Jew who ultimately celebrates faith. The answer is that this novel is so brilliantly written, so powerful, that it really doesn't matter if I agree with it's general premise or not. It should be read after The Chosen, but it's even better than that book. A true masterpiece by a wonderful author,
Up next: A week in Hong Kong in the early 1960s....
Chaim Potok
1969, 368 pages
coming of age
This sequel continues where The Chosen left off, centering around two intertwined story lines: the Hasidic Jew, Danny Saunders, has now abandoned his family as is studying as a young psychoanalyst; in that capacity he must try to help with the mental problems of a young teenager. Meanwhile the orthodox Jew, Reuven Malter, is studying to be a rabbi, but he faces a teacher who demands that he accept the Talmud as inerrant; Reuven prefers a different method of more open interpretation. This struggle represents a microcosm of all modern conflicts between those who choose to take religious scriptures literally and those who do not. Reuven struggles to find a way to keep his faith yet allow for reason and science not to be ignored.
As an atheist, it might seem strange that I would so enjoy a novel by a religious Jew who ultimately celebrates faith. The answer is that this novel is so brilliantly written, so powerful, that it really doesn't matter if I agree with it's general premise or not. It should be read after The Chosen, but it's even better than that book. A true masterpiece by a wonderful author,
Up next: A week in Hong Kong in the early 1960s....
timschochet
Footballguy
12. Noble House
James Clavell
1981, 1154 pages
historical fiction
Nominally a sequel to the novel Tai-Pan (to be reviewed shortly) but really Noble House is it's own novel, set 120 years after the first one, in 1963. This is a sprawling, epic story about a week in Hong Kong. There are floods, landslides, fires, financial suspense as good as any Archer novel, espionage suspense as good as any LeCarre novel, historical drama as good as any Follett novel. Clavell surpasses them all in this masterpiece. The central character is Ian Dunross, taipan of the Noble House (a fictional company based on Jardine-Matheson.) He must save his company from financial chaos at the hands of his main enemy, Quillan Gornt, with the help of two Americans. At the same time Dunross has to deal with a Soviet spy in Mi-5, and also with a half-coin sprung on him from a drug lord who demands that Dunross comply with his wishes (this plot line goes back to Tai-Pan). Meanwhile there are love affairs, horse races and other gambling, bank runs, and more. In fact it's impossible to describe everything that goes on in this novel.
It's also impossible to put down. At his best (and this is one of his 3 best novels) there simply has never been a better storyteller, for my money, than James Clavell. He describes a universe foreign to most of us and makes it captivating. I have read this long engrossing novel several times in my life and never once found it wanting. Like everything this high on my list, an absolute all time favorite.
Up next: Leon Uris' monumental story of the birth of the modern Jewish state...
James Clavell
1981, 1154 pages
historical fiction
Nominally a sequel to the novel Tai-Pan (to be reviewed shortly) but really Noble House is it's own novel, set 120 years after the first one, in 1963. This is a sprawling, epic story about a week in Hong Kong. There are floods, landslides, fires, financial suspense as good as any Archer novel, espionage suspense as good as any LeCarre novel, historical drama as good as any Follett novel. Clavell surpasses them all in this masterpiece. The central character is Ian Dunross, taipan of the Noble House (a fictional company based on Jardine-Matheson.) He must save his company from financial chaos at the hands of his main enemy, Quillan Gornt, with the help of two Americans. At the same time Dunross has to deal with a Soviet spy in Mi-5, and also with a half-coin sprung on him from a drug lord who demands that Dunross comply with his wishes (this plot line goes back to Tai-Pan). Meanwhile there are love affairs, horse races and other gambling, bank runs, and more. In fact it's impossible to describe everything that goes on in this novel.
It's also impossible to put down. At his best (and this is one of his 3 best novels) there simply has never been a better storyteller, for my money, than James Clavell. He describes a universe foreign to most of us and makes it captivating. I have read this long engrossing novel several times in my life and never once found it wanting. Like everything this high on my list, an absolute all time favorite.
Up next: Leon Uris' monumental story of the birth of the modern Jewish state...
Thorn
Footballguy
Interesting, there is another Jewish coming of age novel set in NY/Brooklyn, which I know you like, that I don't see on your list yet. Top 10?
Righetti
Footballguy
Native
Footballguy
Maggot Brain
Footballguy
timschochet
Footballguy
11. Exodus
Leon Uris
1958, 626 pages
historical epic
Exodus is one of 3 great Leon Uris epic novels, all of which made my top 11. This one is his most famous novel, about the birth of the State of Israel. It is important to note that it IS a novel, and not exactly an accurate piece of history; Uris was a Jewish American novelist, and this book is written decidedly from a Jewish point of view. The Palestinian Arab characters are given rather negative treatment; some critics over the years have accused Uris of being racist against them. That is because this novel was an important element in shaping American public opinion in favor of the Israeli side of things. In fact, many of our leading politicians, including Barack Obama, have named this novel as influential.
So let me get out of the way that, having read some actual histories of the State of Israel, this is not accurate. The Irgun, a terrorist group, (called the Maccabees in the novel) are given a rather romantic aspect (which Uris repeats with the Irish Republican Brotherhood, the forerunner of the IRA, in his novel Trinity- to be reviewed shortly.) A:though Uris briefly describes the Deir Yassin massacre, he makes no connection between that incident and the flight of the Palestinians in 1948. Whatever sympathy the Jewish characters have for individual Palestinians is described in the most paternalistic terms- and they constantly portrayed as unwashed, illiterate, ignorant.
Having written that, it's still a great great novel. Uris creates suspenseful scenes and characters with ease, and recounts the history of the Zionist movement beginning in 19th century Russia, the first settlers, the Holocaust (including a description of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising which he would turn into it's own novel- upcoming)- the ships such as the real life Exodus that challenged the British blockade. There is an exciting escape from prison, the United Nations vote, and the first battles of the war. There are also two great love affairs. Much of the earlier parts of the novel are written in flashback, which is a Uris specialty. The events described are as dramatic as in any novel I have ever read, and this one fully deserves it's acclaim over the decades.
Up next: Leon Uris takes the Warsaw Ghetto story and makes its a novel of its own...
Leon Uris
1958, 626 pages
historical epic
Exodus is one of 3 great Leon Uris epic novels, all of which made my top 11. This one is his most famous novel, about the birth of the State of Israel. It is important to note that it IS a novel, and not exactly an accurate piece of history; Uris was a Jewish American novelist, and this book is written decidedly from a Jewish point of view. The Palestinian Arab characters are given rather negative treatment; some critics over the years have accused Uris of being racist against them. That is because this novel was an important element in shaping American public opinion in favor of the Israeli side of things. In fact, many of our leading politicians, including Barack Obama, have named this novel as influential.
So let me get out of the way that, having read some actual histories of the State of Israel, this is not accurate. The Irgun, a terrorist group, (called the Maccabees in the novel) are given a rather romantic aspect (which Uris repeats with the Irish Republican Brotherhood, the forerunner of the IRA, in his novel Trinity- to be reviewed shortly.) A:though Uris briefly describes the Deir Yassin massacre, he makes no connection between that incident and the flight of the Palestinians in 1948. Whatever sympathy the Jewish characters have for individual Palestinians is described in the most paternalistic terms- and they constantly portrayed as unwashed, illiterate, ignorant.
Having written that, it's still a great great novel. Uris creates suspenseful scenes and characters with ease, and recounts the history of the Zionist movement beginning in 19th century Russia, the first settlers, the Holocaust (including a description of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising which he would turn into it's own novel- upcoming)- the ships such as the real life Exodus that challenged the British blockade. There is an exciting escape from prison, the United Nations vote, and the first battles of the war. There are also two great love affairs. Much of the earlier parts of the novel are written in flashback, which is a Uris specialty. The events described are as dramatic as in any novel I have ever read, and this one fully deserves it's acclaim over the decades.
Up next: Leon Uris takes the Warsaw Ghetto story and makes its a novel of its own...
timschochet
Footballguy
Thanks for posting. I was unable to read that earlier, as I had just left for vacation. Absolutely fascinating article.Righetti said:
Long Ball Larry
Footballguy
Nothing cracks a turtle like Leon uris.
timschochet
Footballguy
Actually compared to most of the other books coming up in my top 10, the Uris novels are short.
timschochet
Footballguy
10. Mila 18
Leon Uris
1961, 539 pages
historical drama
This is a novel about the Warsaw Ghetto uprising. Earlier on this list, I reviewed The Wall by John Hersey; that was a better novel in a literary sense. This one is far more pulp fiction, and more enjoyable to read. It is also more emotionally satisfying, as the heroic Jews fend off the Nazis for a month and make an immortal stand for freedom. Uris provides tremendous melodrama here: the bad guys are truly evil and the good guys are incredibly courageous.
I'm a sucker for this sort of novel; it's probably the most optimistic, least depressing Holocaust novel ever written. Sure almost all of them die in the end (a few escape) but they get their revenge and find victory in defeat. Uris' main protagonist, Andrei Androfski, quotes Steinbeck from In Dubious Battle, (which is actually taken from Milton's Paradise Lost) to express the hopelessness of his struggle (a theme which gets repeated in Trinity with Conor Larkin) , yet as Milton writes, all is not lost, the study of revenge...etc. Definitely Leon Uris' most exciting, most satisfying novel.
Up next: Stephen King tackles apocalypse...
Leon Uris
1961, 539 pages
historical drama
This is a novel about the Warsaw Ghetto uprising. Earlier on this list, I reviewed The Wall by John Hersey; that was a better novel in a literary sense. This one is far more pulp fiction, and more enjoyable to read. It is also more emotionally satisfying, as the heroic Jews fend off the Nazis for a month and make an immortal stand for freedom. Uris provides tremendous melodrama here: the bad guys are truly evil and the good guys are incredibly courageous.
I'm a sucker for this sort of novel; it's probably the most optimistic, least depressing Holocaust novel ever written. Sure almost all of them die in the end (a few escape) but they get their revenge and find victory in defeat. Uris' main protagonist, Andrei Androfski, quotes Steinbeck from In Dubious Battle, (which is actually taken from Milton's Paradise Lost) to express the hopelessness of his struggle (a theme which gets repeated in Trinity with Conor Larkin) , yet as Milton writes, all is not lost, the study of revenge...etc. Definitely Leon Uris' most exciting, most satisfying novel.
Up next: Stephen King tackles apocalypse...
timschochet
Footballguy
9. The Stand: the complete and uncut edition
Stephen King
1990, 1152 pages
fantasy/horror
The title refers to the 1990 edition; as most King fans know, the original version, published in 1978, was about 400 pages shorter. The longer version doesn't really change any important aspects of the story, but it is richer with more depth.
The first 200 pages of the novel deals with a flu-like virus that kills 99% of the human population on Earth. This is the scariest part of the book. The rest of it features a struggle between two supernatural beings who represent good and evil; King refers to this as a tale of "dark Christianity" The two societies are formed around these two figures in Boulder, Co. and Las Vegas. The good guys have to make a stand.
Obviously it's an absurd plot but it works because of the strength of its characters, both good and evil, which are King's most memorable. One example of many is Trashcan Man, a pyromaniac; left alone in the world with most people dead he delights in blowing up as much of it as possible, for instance the chapter in which he carefully sets the entire city of Gary, Indiana on fire. Or Larry Underwood, the haunted rock star, or Harold, the fat teenager who can't get over being bullied and dreams of revenge. King makes these characters real and moving, and that's what allows him to put forward such a silly plot and make it fascinating. His finest novel.
Up next: Leon Uris takes on Ireland...
Stephen King
1990, 1152 pages
fantasy/horror
The title refers to the 1990 edition; as most King fans know, the original version, published in 1978, was about 400 pages shorter. The longer version doesn't really change any important aspects of the story, but it is richer with more depth.
The first 200 pages of the novel deals with a flu-like virus that kills 99% of the human population on Earth. This is the scariest part of the book. The rest of it features a struggle between two supernatural beings who represent good and evil; King refers to this as a tale of "dark Christianity" The two societies are formed around these two figures in Boulder, Co. and Las Vegas. The good guys have to make a stand.
Obviously it's an absurd plot but it works because of the strength of its characters, both good and evil, which are King's most memorable. One example of many is Trashcan Man, a pyromaniac; left alone in the world with most people dead he delights in blowing up as much of it as possible, for instance the chapter in which he carefully sets the entire city of Gary, Indiana on fire. Or Larry Underwood, the haunted rock star, or Harold, the fat teenager who can't get over being bullied and dreams of revenge. King makes these characters real and moving, and that's what allows him to put forward such a silly plot and make it fascinating. His finest novel.
Up next: Leon Uris takes on Ireland...
timschochet
Footballguy
msommer
Footballguy
That this book makes the top ten does not excuse the many horrible King books you have included earlier. But it does alleviate a little bit...
timschochet
Footballguy
8. Trinity
Leon Uris
1976, 896 pages
historical epic
Leon Uris was a Jewish author, and most of his best novels deal with Jewish modern historical themes (Exodus, Mila 18, QB VII, The Haj, Mitla Pass, etc.) So it's interesting that IMO his finest effort has nothing to do with Jewish history and there are no Jewish characters. Trinity is a novel about Ireland, set between 1885 and 1915 (although there is a lengthy flashback which describes the Great Famine of the 1840s, which is central to understanding the historical elements behind the novel.)
The "trinity" of the title refers to the three competing forces in Ireland during this time, each represented in the novel by a family: the Larkins are Catholic villagers who have taken a leadership role in resisting the British occupation. The Hubbles are British Anglicans, earls who have colonized Ireland. The MacLeods are Protestants from Ulster. Of these, the Larkins are the central family, with Conor Larkin the main protagonist of the novel, and the Irish liberation movement (represented first by Parnell and later by the Irish Republican Brotherhood, but not, notably, by the IRA) have Uris' sympathy. Despite this, he does attempt to represent everyone's point of view rather fairly, much more so than he did in Exodus. It may be that his lack of personal involvement allows him to be more objective.
IMO, this is a great a historical epic as any I have encountered. It has the same sweep of the Follett novels I mentioned earlier, and the Clavell novels I have reviewed (and have yet to review) but with an even greater emotional pull. That it's not my absolute favorite (beyond the Clavell, there are a few other historical novels yet to come) it's only because personally some other historical eras and subject matters interest me a little more- but that's a subjective preference. Trinity could easily be the #1 novel on this list, and some days I think it is.
Up next: the birth of Hong Kong...
Leon Uris
1976, 896 pages
historical epic
Leon Uris was a Jewish author, and most of his best novels deal with Jewish modern historical themes (Exodus, Mila 18, QB VII, The Haj, Mitla Pass, etc.) So it's interesting that IMO his finest effort has nothing to do with Jewish history and there are no Jewish characters. Trinity is a novel about Ireland, set between 1885 and 1915 (although there is a lengthy flashback which describes the Great Famine of the 1840s, which is central to understanding the historical elements behind the novel.)
The "trinity" of the title refers to the three competing forces in Ireland during this time, each represented in the novel by a family: the Larkins are Catholic villagers who have taken a leadership role in resisting the British occupation. The Hubbles are British Anglicans, earls who have colonized Ireland. The MacLeods are Protestants from Ulster. Of these, the Larkins are the central family, with Conor Larkin the main protagonist of the novel, and the Irish liberation movement (represented first by Parnell and later by the Irish Republican Brotherhood, but not, notably, by the IRA) have Uris' sympathy. Despite this, he does attempt to represent everyone's point of view rather fairly, much more so than he did in Exodus. It may be that his lack of personal involvement allows him to be more objective.
IMO, this is a great a historical epic as any I have encountered. It has the same sweep of the Follett novels I mentioned earlier, and the Clavell novels I have reviewed (and have yet to review) but with an even greater emotional pull. That it's not my absolute favorite (beyond the Clavell, there are a few other historical novels yet to come) it's only because personally some other historical eras and subject matters interest me a little more- but that's a subjective preference. Trinity could easily be the #1 novel on this list, and some days I think it is.
Up next: the birth of Hong Kong...
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
Maybe there is a good reason I have been dragging my feet on getting around to reading this one.
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
I said I was going to read a few, and now I have 6 TImBooks at home. Went to another book sale at the library and a couple more were there. I actually forgot that Flowers for Algernon was one of the books listed here. I just remember somebody talking about it in the FFA (I thought Krista), and picked that one up. I started reading it yesterday, and will report back on it. (probably just in the book thread) I also have Beach Music, She's Come Undone, The Abstinence Teacher, A Time to Kill, and King Rat.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
If you can read without having to have bullet-proof plot logic and you like characters (& how they react), I think you'll like this one. The Stand isn't my favorite King novel, but I think it's close to his best. If it's still to be found, I'd look for the original version first
timschochet
Footballguy
wikkidpissah
Footballguy
Don't know if this is praise or not but, if you gave a cross-section of books to a panel of intelligent people who describe themselves as "not really a reader", Trinity might be the novel that wins the vote.
timschochet
Footballguy
7. Tai-Pan
James Clavell
1966, 727 pages
historical drama
This novel is set on Hong Kong island in 1841, at the time of it's founding as a British crown colony. "Tai-Pan" is a Cantonese word that means "great leader", and was adopted by the British for the heads of all the great trading companies in Asia. THE Tai-Pan of the novel is DIrk Struan, head of the Noble House, loosely based on the real life trader and opium smuggler William Jardine. The main trade of the British in China at this time was opium, in exchange for silver, in exchange for tea.
As with Clavell's best novels, he creates here a world of excitement with multiple great characters: besides Struan, there is his rival, the great pirate Tyler Brock, who hates him yet works with him to establish British dominance in Asia. Much of the novel surrounds the plot of these two men and their children who fall in love in a sort of Romeo and Juliet theme. There are also Americans, Russians, and of course Chinese, all of whom scheme against each other for land and riches. Lots of great action scenes, exciting ship battles, malaria, typhoons, ancient secrets, sex, gambling, duels, whore houses, balls, British class struggle, diplomatic negotiations- Clavell combines it all into a fascinating story that once started is (for me anyhow) impossible to put down no matter how many times I've read it before. For those who enjoy historical epic, this has got to be at or very near the top of the list.
Up next: a novel about The Citadel...
James Clavell
1966, 727 pages
historical drama
This novel is set on Hong Kong island in 1841, at the time of it's founding as a British crown colony. "Tai-Pan" is a Cantonese word that means "great leader", and was adopted by the British for the heads of all the great trading companies in Asia. THE Tai-Pan of the novel is DIrk Struan, head of the Noble House, loosely based on the real life trader and opium smuggler William Jardine. The main trade of the British in China at this time was opium, in exchange for silver, in exchange for tea.
As with Clavell's best novels, he creates here a world of excitement with multiple great characters: besides Struan, there is his rival, the great pirate Tyler Brock, who hates him yet works with him to establish British dominance in Asia. Much of the novel surrounds the plot of these two men and their children who fall in love in a sort of Romeo and Juliet theme. There are also Americans, Russians, and of course Chinese, all of whom scheme against each other for land and riches. Lots of great action scenes, exciting ship battles, malaria, typhoons, ancient secrets, sex, gambling, duels, whore houses, balls, British class struggle, diplomatic negotiations- Clavell combines it all into a fascinating story that once started is (for me anyhow) impossible to put down no matter how many times I've read it before. For those who enjoy historical epic, this has got to be at or very near the top of the list.
Up next: a novel about The Citadel...
timschochet
Footballguy
6. The Lords of Discipline
Pat Conroy
1980, 499 pages
coming of age
Pat Conroy attended the Citadel, a military academy in Charleston, during the turbulent years of the 1960s, and this novel is about that experience. It is not, however, autobiographical (at least so far as we know). While the main character, Will McClain, has several similarities with Conroy, (both Catholic, both played basketball), the novel centers around the story of the first black student in Citadel history, and a secret society of racists who are determined to run him out.
In this novel Conroy explores the dark underside of old Charlestonian society, and also the brutalization of the plebe system at the university he attended. There are dark secrets here, and great betrayal, and as uplifting a final confrontation as in any novel I have ever read. And though Conroy is harshly critical of "the Institute" (The Citadel is called Carolina Military Institute in the novel), he is also clearly in love with it as well. As he states with pride in the first line of the novel, he wears the ring.
This is probably not Conroy's finest work: both Beach Music and The Prince of Tides are deeper, richer novels, but this one is easily my favorite.
Up next: the story of a black President, written in the 1960s...
Pat Conroy
1980, 499 pages
coming of age
Pat Conroy attended the Citadel, a military academy in Charleston, during the turbulent years of the 1960s, and this novel is about that experience. It is not, however, autobiographical (at least so far as we know). While the main character, Will McClain, has several similarities with Conroy, (both Catholic, both played basketball), the novel centers around the story of the first black student in Citadel history, and a secret society of racists who are determined to run him out.
In this novel Conroy explores the dark underside of old Charlestonian society, and also the brutalization of the plebe system at the university he attended. There are dark secrets here, and great betrayal, and as uplifting a final confrontation as in any novel I have ever read. And though Conroy is harshly critical of "the Institute" (The Citadel is called Carolina Military Institute in the novel), he is also clearly in love with it as well. As he states with pride in the first line of the novel, he wears the ring.
This is probably not Conroy's finest work: both Beach Music and The Prince of Tides are deeper, richer novels, but this one is easily my favorite.
Up next: the story of a black President, written in the 1960s...
timschochet
Footballguy
5. The Man
Irving Wallace
1964, 766 pages
political novel
The Man, which is the best political novel I have ever read, is a work of speculative fiction in which the sudden and accidental deaths of the President, VP, and Speaker cause the President Pro-Tempore of the Senate to be President- a black man named Doug Dilman. But this novel does not take place in 2008; it takes place at the time of it's writing, in 1964, when a black man in charge of the nation causes lots of problems. Dilman is a moderate liberal, eager for peaceful change and advancement of his people, but he faces extremists on all sides: southern racists who want to keep their section of the country segregated; black radicals who want to force their rights through violence. Dilman must also deal with the white establishment figures who attempt to treat him as a puppet, and the Russians during the height of the cold war. Ultimately, the forces that despise Dilman scheme to impeach him, and the final section of the novel is a Senate trial in which the integrity of the United States itself is at risk.
What I just described is pretty melodramatic, and indeed this is a melodramatic novel, but it also explains both the Presidency and the civil rights movement about as well as anything I've ever read (including non-fiction.) Plus there are scores of interesting characters, great dialogue, and suspenseful moments, with a satisfying conclusion. I'm not going to pretend that this novel is anywhere near as well written as many of the others on this list: it's pulp fiction. And it's awesome.
Up next: Herman Wouk begins the tale of World War II...
Irving Wallace
1964, 766 pages
political novel
The Man, which is the best political novel I have ever read, is a work of speculative fiction in which the sudden and accidental deaths of the President, VP, and Speaker cause the President Pro-Tempore of the Senate to be President- a black man named Doug Dilman. But this novel does not take place in 2008; it takes place at the time of it's writing, in 1964, when a black man in charge of the nation causes lots of problems. Dilman is a moderate liberal, eager for peaceful change and advancement of his people, but he faces extremists on all sides: southern racists who want to keep their section of the country segregated; black radicals who want to force their rights through violence. Dilman must also deal with the white establishment figures who attempt to treat him as a puppet, and the Russians during the height of the cold war. Ultimately, the forces that despise Dilman scheme to impeach him, and the final section of the novel is a Senate trial in which the integrity of the United States itself is at risk.
What I just described is pretty melodramatic, and indeed this is a melodramatic novel, but it also explains both the Presidency and the civil rights movement about as well as anything I've ever read (including non-fiction.) Plus there are scores of interesting characters, great dialogue, and suspenseful moments, with a satisfying conclusion. I'm not going to pretend that this novel is anywhere near as well written as many of the others on this list: it's pulp fiction. And it's awesome.
Up next: Herman Wouk begins the tale of World War II...
timschochet
Footballguy
4. The Winds of War
Herman Wouk
1971, 885 pages
historical epic
The Winds of War tells the story of the Henrys, an American naval family, during the Second World War. This first volume in Wouk's epic two volume series relates the years between 1939 and 1941- basically from the outbreak of the war to Pearl Harbor. Besides the Henrys, there are also the Jastrows, an American Jewish family caught up in Europe, and the novel is interspersed with the fictional recollections of a German Army general, Armin Von Roon.
Wouk masterfully brings to life these years and events as the Henrys travel all around the globe, from Germany to the invasion of Poland, to the Battle of Britain, to the invasion of Russia, and finally to Pearl Harbor. Real life figures such as Hitler, Churchill, FDR, Mussolini, and Stalin all appear in the novel (and many lesser real characters as well.) These are interspersed with love affairs and great drama surrounding the major characters. Wouk stated that it was his rather ambitious intention to do for World War II what Leo Tolstoy did for the War of 1812 in the epic War and Peace. IMO, Wouk outdoes Tolstoy, at least in terms of reading pleasure.
Up next: the saga of the Henrys continues...
Herman Wouk
1971, 885 pages
historical epic
The Winds of War tells the story of the Henrys, an American naval family, during the Second World War. This first volume in Wouk's epic two volume series relates the years between 1939 and 1941- basically from the outbreak of the war to Pearl Harbor. Besides the Henrys, there are also the Jastrows, an American Jewish family caught up in Europe, and the novel is interspersed with the fictional recollections of a German Army general, Armin Von Roon.
Wouk masterfully brings to life these years and events as the Henrys travel all around the globe, from Germany to the invasion of Poland, to the Battle of Britain, to the invasion of Russia, and finally to Pearl Harbor. Real life figures such as Hitler, Churchill, FDR, Mussolini, and Stalin all appear in the novel (and many lesser real characters as well.) These are interspersed with love affairs and great drama surrounding the major characters. Wouk stated that it was his rather ambitious intention to do for World War II what Leo Tolstoy did for the War of 1812 in the epic War and Peace. IMO, Wouk outdoes Tolstoy, at least in terms of reading pleasure.
Up next: the saga of the Henrys continues...
timschochet
Footballguy
3. War and Remembrance
Herman Wouk
1978, 1042 pages
historical epic
This novel continues the epic saga of the Henry family, relating the years from 1941-1945, basically from Pearl Harbor to the surrender of the Japanese in the Pacific. Two key naval battles are described: the battles of Midway and Leyte Gulf. Wouk does a better job with these than many non-fiction histories I have read about the same subject. There are also, as in the first volume, descriptions of real life characters and events, suspenseful scenes, love affairs, etc.
But probably the main theme that Wouk wishes to examine is the Holocaust, which he does in several different ways: there are many chapters on Auschwitz, which are particularly brutal. There is the continuing tale of the Jastrows, attempting to escape Europe and ending up at "The Paradise Ghetto" in Theresienstadt. The sections in the Paradise Ghetto are probably the most powerful in Wouk's long career as a novelist. There is also the subplot of the diplomat Leslie Slote, who attempts to tell the world about the Holocaust, only to discover disbelief and a reluctance by the American government to take action.
Even better than the first volume, this novel is a magnificent retelling of World War II, better (at least for me) than any actual history on the subject.
Up next: the novel that made Herman Wouk famous...
Herman Wouk
1978, 1042 pages
historical epic
This novel continues the epic saga of the Henry family, relating the years from 1941-1945, basically from Pearl Harbor to the surrender of the Japanese in the Pacific. Two key naval battles are described: the battles of Midway and Leyte Gulf. Wouk does a better job with these than many non-fiction histories I have read about the same subject. There are also, as in the first volume, descriptions of real life characters and events, suspenseful scenes, love affairs, etc.
But probably the main theme that Wouk wishes to examine is the Holocaust, which he does in several different ways: there are many chapters on Auschwitz, which are particularly brutal. There is the continuing tale of the Jastrows, attempting to escape Europe and ending up at "The Paradise Ghetto" in Theresienstadt. The sections in the Paradise Ghetto are probably the most powerful in Wouk's long career as a novelist. There is also the subplot of the diplomat Leslie Slote, who attempts to tell the world about the Holocaust, only to discover disbelief and a reluctance by the American government to take action.
Even better than the first volume, this novel is a magnificent retelling of World War II, better (at least for me) than any actual history on the subject.
Up next: the novel that made Herman Wouk famous...
timschochet
Footballguy
2. The Caine Mutiny
Herman Wouk
1951, 560 pages
coming of age/World War II
Long before The Winds of War, Wouk wrote The Caine Mutiny, using his experiences as an officer on a minesweeper during World War II to create a novel with some of the most memorable characters in all of popular fiction: the deranged Captain Queeg, the subject of the mutiny, the villainous Keefer, the heroic Maryk, and Willie Keith, the main character who grows up during the story and becomes a man at last.
From beginning to end this is the most powerful popular novel I have ever read, and I have read it many many times. The typhoon and mutiny scenes are unmatched for sheer drama, as are the court-martial scenes. The speech towards the end of the novel by the Jewish attorney who defends Maryk, exonerating Queeg and damning Keefer, is the best scene Completely engrossing and brilliant from beginning to end.
Up next: my favorite novel of all time takes place in Japan in the year 1600...
Herman Wouk
1951, 560 pages
coming of age/World War II
Long before The Winds of War, Wouk wrote The Caine Mutiny, using his experiences as an officer on a minesweeper during World War II to create a novel with some of the most memorable characters in all of popular fiction: the deranged Captain Queeg, the subject of the mutiny, the villainous Keefer, the heroic Maryk, and Willie Keith, the main character who grows up during the story and becomes a man at last.
From beginning to end this is the most powerful popular novel I have ever read, and I have read it many many times. The typhoon and mutiny scenes are unmatched for sheer drama, as are the court-martial scenes. The speech towards the end of the novel by the Jewish attorney who defends Maryk, exonerating Queeg and damning Keefer, is the best scene Completely engrossing and brilliant from beginning to end.
Up next: my favorite novel of all time takes place in Japan in the year 1600...
Eephus
Footballguy
Question: If you stacked Tim's top 100 novels (hard cover editions) on top of each other, how high would it reach?
I picked a random book from my office and found a 300 page book was 1 inch with an additional 1/4 inch for the two covers. The ten books on this page total 7692 pages which would be just over 28 inches including covers. Extrapolating this over 100 books results in a tower over 23 feet tall.
I picked a random book from my office and found a 300 page book was 1 inch with an additional 1/4 inch for the two covers. The ten books on this page total 7692 pages which would be just over 28 inches including covers. Extrapolating this over 100 books results in a tower over 23 feet tall.
timschochet
Footballguy
1. Shōgun
James Clavell
1975, 1152 pages
historical epic
Shogun tells the story of William Blackthorne (loosely based on the real life explorer William Adams) an English pilot who navigated a Dutch ship to Japan in 1600, only to become embroiled in a medieval civil war. Blackthorne meets the Lord Toranaga (heavily based on the real life Shogun Iyeyasu, who consolidated Japan) along with a host of other Samurai and peasants, and falls into a tragic love affair with the beautiful Lady Mariko.
As with Tai-Pan and Noble House, Clavell introduces us to a new world here, but in this one he goes even beyond those great novels and provides one great character after another, one great scene after another. There are no weak moments in this epic novel; its sheer perfection (at least for me) from start to finish. The battles, dialogue, characters, plotting, love scenes, are everything I could ask for in a story. In terms of narrative fiction, the only thing I can compare it to (somewhat) is Game of Thrones: the television series, not the novels (which for me were OK but at times slow and lacking.) There is nothing slow or lacking in Shogun. Its perfection in the form of the popular novel. And its my favorite of all time!
James Clavell
1975, 1152 pages
historical epic
Shogun tells the story of William Blackthorne (loosely based on the real life explorer William Adams) an English pilot who navigated a Dutch ship to Japan in 1600, only to become embroiled in a medieval civil war. Blackthorne meets the Lord Toranaga (heavily based on the real life Shogun Iyeyasu, who consolidated Japan) along with a host of other Samurai and peasants, and falls into a tragic love affair with the beautiful Lady Mariko.
As with Tai-Pan and Noble House, Clavell introduces us to a new world here, but in this one he goes even beyond those great novels and provides one great character after another, one great scene after another. There are no weak moments in this epic novel; its sheer perfection (at least for me) from start to finish. The battles, dialogue, characters, plotting, love scenes, are everything I could ask for in a story. In terms of narrative fiction, the only thing I can compare it to (somewhat) is Game of Thrones: the television series, not the novels (which for me were OK but at times slow and lacking.) There is nothing slow or lacking in Shogun. Its perfection in the form of the popular novel. And its my favorite of all time!
timschochet
Footballguy
timschochet
Footballguy
That completes my list. Took me a long time to do (mostly the write-ups!) Hope you guys enjoyed it.
Up next: my 100 favorite movies of all time.
Up next: my 100 favorite movies of all time.
wikkidpissah
Footballguy
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