'Wise Children' by Angela Carter. It's the best book in the world ever, and I've got one and a half degrees in Literature, so I'm qualified to say that. :op
If you like classic stuff, Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' was my favourite thing I read at uni throughout my whole undergrad degree. 'The Ruby in the Smoke' by Philip Pullman is a kids book, but I adore it, and the sequels. I like them better than his more famous 'His Dark Materials' trilogy. For funny books, you can't beat P. G. Wodehouse. I'm trying to think what modern fiction I've read recently ... I quite liked 'Desirable Daughters' by Bharati Mukherjee.
Ironically, I did finally select a Wodehouse today since I haven't read him before. I'm always hesitant to get books that are supposed to be funny because a LOT of times, while they may not be bad reads, I just don't get the humour. Like with Terry Pratchett. I've read several of those with a perfectly straight face - just am not on that humour wavelength or something. My dad picks one up and is in hysterics the whole time. We'll see!
Who can resist characters named Gussie Finknottle and the various Biffy, Beffy, Stiffy, Tipper, Tuppy, Corky, Sippy, and let's not forget Honoria Glossop!
I second Wise Children- just fabulous. I adore Angela Carter in general. For a classic of 1930s self-deprecating British humour, I recommend The Diary of a Provincial Lady by EM Delafield (the way it's done as a diary makes it very easy to dip in and out of depending on your attention span) and Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day by Winifred Watson.
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momijizukamori
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Date: 2009-07-21 09:24 pm (UTC)If you like classic stuff, Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' was my favourite thing I read at uni throughout my whole undergrad degree. 'The Ruby in the Smoke' by Philip Pullman is a kids book, but I adore it, and the sequels. I like them better than his more famous 'His Dark Materials' trilogy. For funny books, you can't beat P. G. Wodehouse. I'm trying to think what modern fiction I've read recently ... I quite liked 'Desirable Daughters' by Bharati Mukherjee.
no subject
Date: 2009-07-21 09:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-21 09:42 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-21 09:58 pm (UTC)Who can resist characters named Gussie Finknottle and the various Biffy, Beffy, Stiffy, Tipper, Tuppy, Corky, Sippy, and let's not forget Honoria Glossop!
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Date: 2009-07-21 10:09 pm (UTC)This harks back to my Tintin days. "It's Thompson. With a P! As in PSYCHOLOGY!"
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Date: 2009-07-21 10:19 pm (UTC)I've concentrated on the Blandings Castle books as well as Jeeves & Wooster.
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Date: 2009-07-21 10:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-24 01:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-24 02:15 pm (UTC)