Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

This discussion is made so we can share the best books from our region.
I discovered very interesting things about other cultures from books. It would be great if we could kind of get to know each other better through books :)

I love this idea. I feel like the United States at large is too bulky to claim as my region, so I'll go with my home state and then my current city.

I grew up in Massachusetts and my favorite book from a Massachusetts author is "The Blithedale Romance" by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

And as for Chicago, I actually don't really know that many Chicago authors yet. I'll have to investigate this and post back when I come up with something.

Bye for now!

- Dave

I come from The Balkans. We use to be a federation Yugoslavia until the 90`s , so our books, especially the classics are intertwined. It`s weird, but they are either highly religious or socialistic. I will write only the books I`ve read.
So here is my list:

The Bridge on the Drina by Ivo Andrić

Death and the Dervish by Meša Selimović

Gentlemen Glembajevi by Miroslav Krleža (This is my translation)

Encyclopedia of the Dead by Danilo Kiš

The witch by Venko Andonovksi

The dragon`s bride by Vlada Urošević

Black seed by Taško Georgievksi

The crazy years - Branko Kopić (my translation of the title)

Weed by Petre M. Andreevski

Conversation with Spinoza: A Cobweb Novel by Goce Smilevski

I'm in the UK, so there are many English classics from my country, far too many to name. From my particular region it's much harder to think of anyone, but I am close to London and of course many writers have lived there. I like the history of authors you can find in London, such as seeing their former houses, or visiting Poet's corner in Westminster Abbey where many are buried. Some of my favourite books set in London are the Sherlock Holmes stories and 1984. Dickens may be the most prolific writer about London life, but I'm still yet to read anything by him (except A Christmas Carol, which I didn't like that much)

I live in the US state of Minnesota. F. Scott Fitzgerald was born here (The St. Paul Stories of F. Scott Fitzgerald). Others that immediately spring to my mind are Garrison Keillor (Lake Wobegon Days, etc) and On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

I'm from Germany and I live in a village in the greater Frankfurt area. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was born in Frankfurt. They made a museum out of his birthplace and it includes an original writing table which I think is really cool. Later in his life, Goethe was an articled clerk (he had studied the law like his father) at the Reichskammergericht in Wetzlar (even closer to my home than Frankfurt) which was the highest court of the Holy Roman Empire. There he fell in love with his neighbour, Charlotte Buff, and wrote his famous The Sorrows of Young Werther.

goethe is wise man

I live in Finland, city called Porvoo. Writer and creator of moomins; Tove Jansson used to spent his summers in here. I really liked her biography and moomin books as well. But the cartoons are the best I think.

Rachid wrote: "goethe is wise man"

Yet, he wouldn't believe Newton's theory of light ;)

I'm from Hampshire in England. As were Jane Austen. Charles Dickens, Neil Gaiman, Olivia Manning and Ian McEwan.

I was born in Manhattan, state of NY but most people refer to it as NYC. However, I now live in the borough of Brooklyn which is also NYC. I was racking my brain trying to come up with a great classic and came up with Betty Smith who wrote A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. She was born, naturally, in Brooklyn. :)

Marleny wrote: "I was born in Manhattan, state of NY but most people refer to it as NYC. However, I now live in the borough of Brooklyn which is also NYC. I was racking my brain trying to come up with a great cl..."

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is a wonderful read.

So, am I the only one on the face of the planet that hasn't read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn? Oh, the shame, the horror!

Loretta wrote: "So, am I the only one on the face of the planet that hasn't read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn? Oh, the shame, the horror!"

I haven't read it either, so we can be ashamed together. ;-)

Christine wrote: "Loretta wrote: "So, am I the only one on the face of the planet that hasn't read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn? Oh, the shame, the horror!"

I haven't read it either, so we can be ashamed ..."

Good to know I'm not alone, lol :) !

I currently live in Lombardy, the italian region where Milan is. The most famous author born here is Alessandro Manzoni, who wrote The Bethrothed:, which takes place in Milan and on the Lake Como (where I live).
I'm of Swiss origin, and my home town is close to where Friedrich Dürrenmatt was born. And also Annemarie Schwarzenbach! I know swiss authors are not really famous abroad, except maybe for Johanna Spyri...

The state of Georgia has a few authors that can lay claim to writing what are now considered "classics" the most notable is probably Margaret Mitchell author of Gone with the Wind.

Others of note:
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers
Wise Blood by Flannery O'Connor
Tobacco Road by Erskine Caldwell

Anthony Doerr now lives & writes in Idaho. Won the Pulitzer for for fiction with All the Light We Cannot See.

Ezra Pound was born in Hailey, Idaho in 1885, just 11 miles south of where Ernest Hemingway is now buried. At 18 months, Pound left Idaho to grow up and become one of the controversial movers and shakers of modern literature.

Ernest Hemingway won the Nobel prize for literature in 1954. He arrived in Sun Valley in 1939 and is now buried in Ketchum where he died July 2, 1961.

Edgar Rice Burroughs creator of the Tarzan stories was one of the most famous part-time residents of Pocatello, Idaho. It is rumored that while running a stationery store in Pocatello, he wrote the first drafts of Tarzan of the Apes.

Loretta wrote: "So, am I the only one on the face of the planet that hasn't read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn? Oh, the shame, the horror!"

I haven't read it either.

Pink wrote: "Loretta wrote: "So, am I the only one on the face of the planet that hasn't read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn? Oh, the shame, the horror!"

I haven't read it either."

Now I feel better! :) . Lol!

I am from the province of Quebec, cradle of many great authors such as Michel Tremblay and Marie Laberge.

But my favorite of all is Patrick Sénécal. He wrote many horror and psychological thriller. One of his book is actually translated in English: Against God. He is doing is very best to have them all translated. Hope you enjoy it!

Loretta wrote: "So, am I the only one on the face of the planet that hasn't read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn? Oh, the shame, the horror!"

I haven't read it, either. ;)

Maybe we should rectify that Reading Faerie! :)

Even an old red-neck like me has read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, its really good bye the way. Maybe you can put together a buddy read, good luck.

I'm Norwegian and our most read classics are mostly about workers, the hierarchy of the classes, women in society, and general social realism.
The modern classics are either about really quirky characters who live in the woods of nowhere; 800 page books about growing up where the entire plot happens between the lines; or good old fashioned social critisism.

Classics

Constance Ring, Lucie, and Forraadt by Amalie Skram
Albertine by Christian Krohg
Gift by Alexander Lange Kielland
The District Governor's Daughters by Camilla Collett
Norwegian Folk Tales by Asbjørnsen & Moe
Hunger by Knut Hamsun
Alberta and Jacob by Cora Sandel
Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset

Modern Classics

The Birds and The Ice Palace by Tarjei Vesaas
Mengele Zoo by Gert Nygårdshaug
Jonas and The History of Bestiality triology by Jens Bjørneboe
Beatles and The Half Brother by Lars Saabye Christensen
The books about Elling by Ingvar Ambjørnsen
Dina's Book by Herbjørg Wassmo
Naïve.Super and Doppler by Erlend Loe
The Bookseller of Kabul by Åsne Seierstad

@Stine_Kristin - thanks a lot for your book suggestions!
In Estonia (as in other Baltic and Nordic countries) we celebrate the Nordic library week (9-15 th November). I try to read as many Finnish / Norwegian / Swedish / Danish / Icelandic books as I can this week (or month). :)

I have Doppler and The Half Brother, I found them somewhere, but of course I haven't read them yet. I have also seen the movie about Kristin Lavransdatter but the translated books were published so long ago that they may be difficult to find. Otherwise your literature sounds quite familiar, except the Finnish modern lit is often set in a quirky world. The living in the middle of the woods was already done in the first Finnish book ever. :-P

(As a side note, if the titles were visible, they would be easier to read.)

@Tytti - could you (or other this group's Finnish members) recommend me some great books from the category "modern Finnish literature" (some fantasy books, if possible, but others are good, too). :) I already have Teemestarin kirja - will read it soon.

I don't really read much fantasy but I know there's quite a lot of it around, Leena Krohn (Tainaron: Mail from Another City) and Johanna Sinisalo (Troll: A Love Story) are popular authors for example. Maybe you should check the writers who have contributed to this book: It Came from the North: An Anthology of Finnish Speculative Fiction.

Can you read in Finnish? I know many from the older generations can but... If so then here is one list where you can find books from the 2000's (to 2013) https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7... and the winners and nominees of the Finlandia prize https://www.goodreads.com/award/show/... is another good place to start. Some have been translated, too, and there is speculative fiction in both of lists. Hannu Rajaniemi writes in English and his finished trilogy is pretty hard core, I'm told, but this should be easier: Hannu Rajaniemi: Collected Fiction.

@Madle I'm happy it was helpful for you! Wow, I didn't know you guys had Nordic Library Week, that's awesome! :D

@Tytti Haha! Makes me think of practically every single Norwegian horror film ever; a group of teenagers get lost in the woods, finds an old, scray cabin, and suddenly things are starting to emerge from the dark woods hunting them. How will they find their way out? Spooky spooky! Horror! Gore! (Spoilers: everyone dies.)

Oh, and also I thought people would just hover over the books to see the titles, that's why I didn't add any.
I guess you can find the books about Kristin Lavransdatter at Amazon or something, I have just started reading them myself. But I think those books are more interesting to Norwegians as there are lots of references to Norwegian medieval society, Norwegian and Swedish kings and their families, as well as names of farmes and places that might not say much to somebody who isn't familiar with them.
But I think the Finnish middle ages were quite similar, so maybe you will enjoy Kristin more than the Americans. xD

Stine Kristin wrote: "I guess you can find the books about Kristin Lavransdatter at Amazon or something"

I really don't think Amazon has books published in 1923/-24 in Finnish, as it seems to be... I would probably prefer a newer translation, too. I also think the Finnish medieval society was different, the Catholic church wasn't so strong in most of the country and the people were pagan or some Orthodox. But not that much is known really.

Hah, but that's different, for us the woods mean safety. That's where you go to hide: the law and church, like in Seven Brothers, or the enemy, like in the real world.

I´m currently reading Kristin Lavransdatter, I found it in Porvoo library´s varasto (luulisin sen olevan alkuperäispainos 20-luvulta, ainakin ulkonäkö viittaa siihen ja se on painettu porvoossa WSOY:llä ja epäilen ettei niitä tosiaan varmaan monessa paikkassa ole).

I´m liking it, though in some points the religion is very much present and it´s in some places maybe little slow going. The first book was the best (I´m currently in the third).

I really want to read Kristin Lavransdatter so badly, but I think it will be a while before I have time to devote to it. I'm American, but several of my ancestors immigrated here from Norway so I would someday like to get more acquainted with Norwegian literature.

Stine Kristin wrote: Oh, and also I thought people would just hover over the books to see the titles, that's why I didn't add any." That's true for people viewing on computers, but for those members accessing GR on mobile devices, that option does not exist. So it's nice to always include the typed title along with a cover image. Very interesting list! :-)

@Christine I just finished the first book, The Wreath, and quite liked it. I think a lot of foreigners doesn't quite appreciate the books because it's so centered around the Scandinavian middle ages, and has a lot of references to society, culture, and history that is unfamiliar to people who doesn't know much about Scandinavian history. It's great that you want to read it! Maybe Kristin Lavransdatter will make you even more interested in Norwegian history and culture!
I'd like to recommend Maihaugen if you're ever visiting Lillehammer in Norway. The first part of the museum has a stave church built in the eraly 1200s, a century before the books about Kristin Lavransdatter takes place, and many traditionally built houses and and other buildings. It's one of my favourite places to visit!

Thanks for the heads up, I didn't consider people might use the mobile app! I'll add the titles right away.

I'm from NZ. These are some of our really famous books. I have not read all of them yet - but the ones I haven't read are on my list. :)
Singularity by Charlotte Grimshaw
Season of the Jew by Maurice Shadbolt 
The Bone People  by Keri Hulme
Mr Pip by Lloyd Jones
Once Were Warriors  by Alan Duff
Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera
Tangi by Witi Ihimaera 
Pounamu Pounamu by Witi Ihimaera
Living in the Maniototo by Janet Frame
An Angel at my Table by Janet Frame
Faces in the Water by Janet Frame
Gardens of Fire by Stevan Elderd-Grigg
Potiki by Patricia Grace 
Tu by Patricia Grace 
Cousins by Patricia Grace 
The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton 
Plumb by Maurice Gee
In my Father's Den by Maurice Gee
Katherine Mansfield's Short Stories by Katherine Mansfield
The Captive Wife by Fiona Kidman
Into the River by Ted Dawe
Dirty Politics by Nicky Hager
A Good Keen Man by Barry Crump
Man Alon by John Mulgan

Zoe,

I read "Once Were Warriors" last year for bingo. Though it wasn't what I'd call light reading or A "happy" story, it was a really great book.

Zoe wrote: "I'm from NZ. These are some of our really famous books. I have not read all of them yet - but the ones I haven't read are on my list. :)
Singularity by Charlotte Grimshaw
Season of the Jew by Mauri..."

Thanks for the list, I often struggle to think of authors from New Zealand. Do you have any favourites?

Anything by

Henrik Ibsen
Knut Hamsun
Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson
Alexander Kielland
Jonas Lie
Amalie Skram
Sigrid Undset
Herbjørg Wassmo
Lars Saabye Christensen

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "Zoe,

I read "Once Were Warriors" last year for bingo. Though it wasn't what I'd call light reading or A "happy" story, it was a really great book."

Agreed. It is great book, but definitely not a happy one. I was going to read the sequels but as well written and brave as the book was (it full on tackled taboos), it was just enough to read. I needed something less intense after it.

Pink wrote: "Thanks for the list, I often struggle to think of authors from New Zealand. Do you have any favourites?
"

I liked Once Were Warriors. It made waves when it was published and was also made into a film (not nearly as good). But is not for everybody.

Singularity was another particularly good one. It is a collection of short stories about people and their lives all tie together. Beautifully written.

The Bone People is the one I most want to read. I have heard so many good things about it - I'm mildly embarrassed that I haven't yet. :)

I have "The Bone People" on my radar for bingo 2017.

Thanks for the list!
Got The Luminaries (waiting) and have enjoyed what I have read of Katherine Mansfield.

Oh I also just bought one of Persephone's latest from a NZ author, Robin Hyde (real name Iris Wilkinson), which sounds really good too - The Godwits Fly
http://www.persephonebooks.co.uk/the-...

Thanks Zoe, they're both on my tbr now :)

I read The Bone People earlier this year and while it was difficult to read because of the subject matter, it is a novel that will stay with me for a long time. I don't usually like magical realism, but it worked in this novel for me. I think I would like to read it again at some point to catch some of nuances I missed the first time.

Great list, Zoe! I'm reading Katherine Mansfield's earlier stories right now--the ones she said should be thrown out--and I'm really enjoying them. Also have some Janet Frame around that I need to read. And now more to add!

And Alia, I need to get back to Kristin Lavransdatter, and then get to the others on your list!

I grew up near the literary city of San Francisco, California. The SF Bay Area is home of the Beats of course, but has also been home of some other great writers: Shirley Jackson, Alice Walker, Isabel Allende, Amy Tan, and my all-time favorite William Saroyan.

Alia wrote: "Anything by

Henrik Ibsen
Knut Hamsun
Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson
Alexander Kielland
Jonas Lie
[author:Amalie Skram|7380..."

I've read none of these! I've only heard of 3 or 4 of those authors, but they're all people whose work I keep meaning to read.

Kathleen wrote: "And Alia, I need to get back to Kristin Lavransdatter, and then get to the others on your list!

I grew up near the literary city of San Francisco, California. The SF Bay Area is home o..."

Thank you! I went and bought the William Saroyan Reader right away.

I'm originally from Guernsey where Victor Hugo spent years in exile. He wrote Les Misérables while there and set The Toilers of the Sea on the island. I think that is about it.

These are said to be good

Ravan & Eddie
God's Little Soldier
Cuckold
Seven Sixes Are Forty Three

I haven't read any yet... but I just came across the author Kiran Nagarkarand he seems to be good yet not appreciated fully..

Then there are

Vaikom Muhammad Basheer
Kamala Suraiyya Das
Only The Soul Knows How To Sing
Selected Poems
Summer in Calcutta: Fifty Poems by Kamala Das
my storyTørketid
Alphabet of lust
Kamala Das: A Selection with Essays on Her Work


Khasakinte Ithihasam