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Unlikely Books -- Big Impressions
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Posted by frances_md (My Page) on Sat, Oct 10, 09 at 14:47
| While working with the donated books at the library this morning, I found Frozen in Time by Owen Beattie & John Geiger, a book about the fate of the Franklin Expedition that was the basis of Dan Simmons' book, The Terror. This led me to think about some unlikely books I've read since becoming part of RP that have made lasting impressions on me. Of course, I've read some really great literature such as The Count of Monte Cristo and The Lord of the Rings that are very memorable but that is not unexpected.
Two books that I will always remember, both of which have aspects that I dislike immensely, are The Terror and The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski. Both of these books were difficult to put down and kept me reading even though they upset me. Maybe the strong emotions they created in me make them so memorable but I never would have expected to still be thinking about either of them.
What unlikely books have made big lasting impressions on you in either a good or bad way?
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Unlikely Books -- Big Impressions
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| Frances, I enjoyed Frozen in Time tremendously -- of course, it's right up my alley. When I found out The Terror was about the Franklin Expedition and Francis Crozier, particularly, I knew I would read it and either be enthralled or I would want to stomp on it. Turns out I that I was enthralled between the stompings! Yep, it made a BIG impression on me. For some reason The Crimson Petal and the White has stuck with me, although I really don't think it was very good in some ways (e.g., too many anachronisms). I guess it's the main character, a prostitute named Sugar, and her skin condition (she spent a lot of time in bathtubs to alleviate it) that made an otherwise mediocre historical novel memorable. A very unlikely book for me to have read was Karen Joy Fowler's Sarah Canary; but thanks to our very own RPer "Sarah Canary," who led a discussion of it, I find myself thinking about the characters and story quite often. |
RE: Unlikely Books -- Big Impressions
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| Blindness by Joseph Saramago. A stunning book, which I would never have read if I hadn't heard about it here. Mind, I don't think I'll ever read it again - it's a most unpleasant book, too! |
RE: Unlikely Books -- Big Impressions
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| For me it was The Road by Cormac McCarthy. For me this beautifully written novel was not only profoundly disturbing but also persuasive. After reading it I spent the next six months half convinced that the end of the human race was imminent. Eventually I worked my way into a more functional frame of mind, but I still shy away from thinking about the book in detail out of concern that I'll slip back into that way of thinking. Rosefolly |
RE: Unlikely Books -- Big Impressions
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| I completely agree about "The Road" and "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle." I will never forget McCarthy's futuristic novel with its frightening details. Others which have made a profound impression on me that I first heard about at RP are: "The Historian"
"Austerlitz"
"Rings of Saturn"
"Kristin Lavransdatter"
"The Go-Between" |
RE: Unlikely Books -- Big Impressions
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| I have been a member of RP for only three months but already I have read several RP-recommended books that I think will leave lasting impressions. I happened to mention one of them, "The Sheltering Sky," on its designated thread, and how I did not think I would like it. The jury is still out but after a month I am still thinking about it. Two others that I will be thinking about for a while are "The Little Stranger" by Waters and "The Stranger" by Camus. |
RE: Unlikely Books -- Big Impressions
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My book to add is Ransom by David Malouf.
A wonderful journey into mythology and its magic. A most unusual donkey named Beauty, she can not help but win your heart. |
RE: Unlikely Books -- Big Impressions
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| My unlikely one on thinking back was a paper back and very old of Wuthering Heights from a secondhand shop. My first real read of the classics, it was wonderful since then I have delved into a few of Charles Dickens, this has opened up a new type of reading for me. |
RE: Unlikely Books -- Big Impressions
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| It is very interesting to see the books that have made lasting impressions on readers. I will need to check out some of these -- most likely skipping Blindness and The Road, however. I've had The Crimson Petal and the White on my TBR shelves for ages, as well as The Historian. |
RE: Unlikely Books -- Big Impressions
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| Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell (recommended by Martin) was discussed here, and I would never have ever picked it up otherwise. Talk about unlikely -- I was stunned by that book. Both the stories and the structure were fascinating and unexpected. |
RE: Unlikely Books -- Big Impressions
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| My book to add is The Sea, The Sea by Iris Murdoch. I first read about it here. It was the first time in years that a book got me to slow down and savor the language as well as the story. PAM |
RE: Unlikely Books -- Big Impressions
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| The book that has left me with a very lasting impression was 'Boy in Striped Pyjamas' John Boyne. When I finished the book it left me stunned. Whenever I think of the book I remember the last scene with the two little boys, so beautifully worded and so so sad. |
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