Boxall's 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die discussion

Use this Topic to discuss books you’re reading or that fit the 1st Scavenger Hunt task.

Monkey: The Journey to the West by Wu Cheng'en

Does this have to be a list book?

Vikki wrote: "Does this have to be a list book?"

Yes, it has to be a list book.

Thanks Ellinor, now I have to find one!!

Does anyone of a title in this category that was written by a woman? I am trying to go for an all-women's challenge and failing hard in this one.

Other than Memoirs of Hadrian and The Tale of Genji which I have already read, nothing comes to mind.

Nocturnalux wrote: "Does anyone of a title in this category that was written by a woman? I am trying to go for an all-women's challenge and failing hard in this one.

Other than Memoirs of Hadrian and [b..."

I don't think there are any others. The only other book by a female writer set in an early century is [book:Kristin Lavransdatter|6217] by Sigrid Undset. But it's set in the 14th century, so it doesn't fit.

How about the Anonymous books?

Debbie McGreevy wrote: "The Norse Queen by Joana Whittenberg"

Published in 2020 and not a List book

Tilting at windmills,

There are just a few.

The answer to your quest

Can be found on a Bookshelf,

But beware the knight, the outlaws,

The prostitute, and the three brothers sworn.

The Golden Ass by Apuleius.

The Metamorphosis by Ovid

Trying to clear at least 6 biggins (>1000 pgs) this year, so I'm going to go with the full The Romance of the Three Kingdoms for this one.

I'm currently reading Aesop's Fables , an amusing retelling for adults in contemporary language.

Barabbas by Pär Lagerkvist

Euphues, the Anatomy of Wit by John Lyly (set in Ancient Rome).

I chose to go with Alamut set in 1094.

I am going with Caim that takes place in biblical times.

Diane wrote: "Euphues, the Anatomy of Wit by John Lyly (set in Ancient Rome)."

Just a heads up for anyone else who is thinking of reading this - I read it and I don't think it is set in Ancient Rome, but in contemporary Italy at the time it was written (16th century). But of course it is up to you what you count.

The reason I think this is because (a) in this book Euphues unfavourably compares the present-day Italy that he is visiting with the greatness of its classical past, and (b) there is a sequel 'Euphues and his England' in which Euphues and Philautus visit England and the court of Elizabeth I.

Marius the Epicurean is set in Ancient Rome.

I recently read The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter from the year 900.

Diane wrote: "Marius the Epicurean is set in Ancient Rome."

Thanks, Diane! That sounds like one I would enjoy.

Pharaoh by Bolesław Prus is another one.

Just finished an edition of The Tale of Genji as translated by Kenchō Suematsu. It only has 17 chapters, while I believe the standard edition has 54 chapters. It’s fine but the story feels finished and my print book is finished so I’m counting it.

I've finished Tales from the Arabian Nights aka 1001 Nights. The e-audiobook I listened to was 11 hrs long, which I figure at about 330 pages. I know there are much longer compilations. Some of the stories go back to 800, some added much later. The best-known stories were in this one, including Aladdin, Ali Baba & the 40 Thieves, Sinbad and several others. They come from various middle eastern countries, Egypt and India. Surprisingly, no flying carpets in these stories.

Just finished Metamorphoses! Only 11 more books to go in the last 6 weeks of the year 🤦🏼‍♀️

Siddhartha, by Hermann Hesse, is set in an ancient Indian kingdom, 4-6th century BCE, so it would work for this one.

I also read Monkey: The Journey to the West by Wu Cheng'en. I was really nervous to read something from this task as I thought it might be dull and hard to read, but I was wrong! Monkey King was super funny and my translation was pretty easy to read. Loved it and rated it 5 stars!

I'm jumping in late, but Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ by Lew Wallace