Book Crazy Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 I know that that is a broad question with many possible answers. I very rarely read anything that was not written in the 18th or 19th century. Dh never reads anything that isn't along the lines of Stephen King, Dean Koontz or Brian Lumley. Dh has said that if I read a book by Brian Lumley, then he will read a book of my choosing. So what to pick? I want to pick something that is not too long, or heavy reading. Or is not to concerned with who is going to marry whom. I thought something along the lines of Woman in White or The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins. What would you pick? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 I'd pick a collection or two of E.T.A. Hoffman's tales (unfortunately, there is no one "best" collection). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 I would go with Robinson Crusoe or Huckleberry Finn. I read both of those this year and enjoyed them even over (ducking now for those thrown tomatoes) Jane Austen. They are both more masculine in tone and adventure, but still resonate with you after reading. I used the Aladdin versions of both. The print was well-spaced and sized, so it seemed easier to read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyinNNV Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 I know that that is a broad question with many possible answers. I very rarely read anything that was not written in the 18th or 19th century. Dh never reads anything that isn't along the lines of Stephen King, Dean Koontz or Brian Lumley. Dh has said that if I read a book by Brian Lumley, then he will read a book of my choosing. So what to pick? I want to pick something that is not too long, or heavy reading. Or is not to concerned with who is going to marry whom. I thought something along the lines of Woman in White or The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins. What would you pick? What is your definition of classic? Holly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Book Crazy Posted July 27, 2008 Author Share Posted July 27, 2008 He wants to read something that I would normally read. My normal readings are British, Russian and French from the 18th and 19th century. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crissy Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 The Once and Future King. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragons in the flower bed Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 How about some Dostoevsky? Notes from Underground is not a huge leap from Koontz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danestress Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 My husband was an English major and has read at least as much classic lit as I have, and probably with deeper understanding. But for your husband? Well, first of all, I think you have to choose something that you personally have really enjoyed. Isn't that the point? For each person to read something that isn't want they normally read, but that has been a favorite of his spouse? So I think you need to generate a list of your all time favorite classic (loosely defined) novels and go from there. I would be tempted to give him Tolstoy. Anna Karenina might be my choice. Yes, I know it's named for a woman, and there is a bit of "who marries whom" but it's so much greater than that. On the otherhand, I might want something shorter and more modern, and that you are sure he would like. How about Catch 22? Animal Farm? Lord of the Flies? The Great Gatsby? Is the Call of the Wild a classic? I did say "loosely defined." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 How about some Dostoevsky? Notes from Underground is not a huge leap from Koontz. Yes, Dostoevsky! "Notes from Underground" would be a great start (especially if you don't want to place to high a burden in terms of "length"). Another great choice would be "Crime and Punishment". Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyinNNV Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 He wants to read something that I would normally read. My normal readings are British, Russian and French from the 18th and 19th century. I don't normally read what you normally read!:D Well, I was going to suggest Fahrenheit 451 or Alas Babylon. They do not really fall within your specs. Have fun picking! Holly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Day_in_the_Life_of_Ivan_Denisovich Important for teens, as well. How about something funny to start him off, like Three Men in a Boat or Tom Jones (although there is some marrying in there). Another 20th century one is Burmese Days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaNY Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 The Count of Monte Cristo is one of my all-time favorite classic novels. It gripped me from the start. GREAT story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda in NE Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 Metamorphsis (Kafka), MAN = COCKROACH. The only classic I could get my hubby to read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel in K-zoo Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 Its not old, but I think it is a Russian classic: Gulag Archipelago. Otherwise what about Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde or Frankenstein. These might fit in with his interests. If you want to go back farther, there is always the great Canterbury Tales. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiguirre Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 The Count of Monte Cristo is one of my all-time favorite classic novels. It gripped me from the start. GREAT story. :iagree: I also loved the Three Musketeers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CactusPair Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 I first pick would be The Great Gatsby. If it has to be pre-20th century and non-American I think I'd go with something by Thomas Hardy, though he's a bit dramatic. I wouldn't go Russian yet--too long and thick in so many ways. What about something by Dickens? He's so entertaining. Or George Eliot? Or what about Wuthering Heights? I think I'd go with that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 I vote for "Phantom of the Opera." :) Rosie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs. Readsalot Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 My ds and I are reading now and I so wish we had done this as a family read aloud. I know my dh would really enjoy it and want to discuss it with us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laylamcb Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 On the otherhand, I might want something shorter and more modern, and that you are sure he would like. How about Catch 22? Animal Farm? Lord of the Flies? The Great Gatsby? Is the Call of the Wild a classic? I did say "loosely defined." These are great suggestions. My dh (a nonfiction reader, primarily) loved loved LOVED Animal Farm. It opened a lot of doors for me to slide in some other books.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommylawyer Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 DH picks the classics for me to read! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Virginia Dawn Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 Metamorphsis (Kafka), MAN = COCKROACH. The only classic I could get my hubby to read. I was going to suggest this. One day in the Life of ID, and the count of Monte Christo would also be good, but they are longer. Do Not give him Anna Karenina, not if you want him to read a classic again someday. ;-) What about Sherlock Holmes, or some Poe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 Its not old, but I think it is a Russian classic: Gulag Archipelago.. While I was riveted by this book, it is not a novel, and is three long volumes. It has one of my favourite quotes: A serial killer might kill 20 people, but an ideology can kill millions. I think I liked this book better because I'd already read some of his novels and therefore "cared" about him. The photos before and after the camps are very telling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ma23peas Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 How about The Scarlet Pimpernel, or he really may like "The Last of the Mohicans" by James Fennimore Cooper!! Tara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E_Edgerton Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 I guess classic may be a relative term...I love The Confederacy of the Dunces by John Kennedy Toole. This is one that flew by for me, I loved every page and experienced a bit of depression when it was over. Good luck.:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.