Novels to read
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Jordan Simpson
Apr 20, 2011, 12:15:05 PM4/20/11
to Summer Book Club
There are plenty to choose from in this catagory. I've mainly looked
for less popular works of authors (or shorter ones, in the case of the
Russian novelists). Any of these would be easy to find online or in
the library.
The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy
The dying life of a 19th century Russian judge, who has led a
successful career but been a horrible father and husband. High point
of late Tostoy, written shortly after his religious conversation;
strong theological arguments.
Crime and Punishment by Fryodor Dostoevsky
The mental anguishes and moral wrestlings by a poor student in 19th
century Russia who seeks to prove his theory of great men unbound by
society. Strong existentialist themes, one of Dostoevsky's better-
known works.
Labyrinths by Jorge Luis Borges
Collection of short stories, many which are part of Ficcones by
Borges, considered one of the best books ever written. There are a
range of styles, from detective fiction to magical reality. Borges is
one of the most famous Argentinian writers.
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
The epic of a family moving out to California, dealing with depravity,
love, acceptance, and self-destruction. Steinbeck's magnum opus, it
contains many allusions to Genesis 4. Longer than others on this
list.
Persuasion by Jane Austen
A young woman rejects the offer of a British officer, then meets him
again ten years later. Austen's last novel, it is a moving love story
incorporating themes of family, the condition of women, and self-made
wealth.
for less popular works of authors (or shorter ones, in the case of the
Russian novelists). Any of these would be easy to find online or in
the library.
The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy
The dying life of a 19th century Russian judge, who has led a
successful career but been a horrible father and husband. High point
of late Tostoy, written shortly after his religious conversation;
strong theological arguments.
Crime and Punishment by Fryodor Dostoevsky
The mental anguishes and moral wrestlings by a poor student in 19th
century Russia who seeks to prove his theory of great men unbound by
society. Strong existentialist themes, one of Dostoevsky's better-
known works.
Labyrinths by Jorge Luis Borges
Collection of short stories, many which are part of Ficcones by
Borges, considered one of the best books ever written. There are a
range of styles, from detective fiction to magical reality. Borges is
one of the most famous Argentinian writers.
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
The epic of a family moving out to California, dealing with depravity,
love, acceptance, and self-destruction. Steinbeck's magnum opus, it
contains many allusions to Genesis 4. Longer than others on this
list.
Persuasion by Jane Austen
A young woman rejects the offer of a British officer, then meets him
again ten years later. Austen's last novel, it is a moving love story
incorporating themes of family, the condition of women, and self-made
wealth.
longfellow
Apr 22, 2011, 3:00:08 AM4/22/11
to Summer Book Club
My order of interest:
1. East of Eden - Steinbeck is one of my favorites and has yet to
disappoint. Read this one several years ago and enjoyed it but would
like to reread as I've forgotten most of the details.
2. Death of Ivan Ilyich (and other stories?) - In my copy, Death is
about 50 pages but the collection includes "Family Happiness," "The
Kreutzer Sonata" and "Master and Man," altogether about 300 pages.
Read this one but again it's been too long to remember details. LIked
it.
3.Crime and Punishment - I enjoy saying "Raskolnikov." I remember more
details from this one than the others, probably because it left a
strong impression. I think for me this would be the most time-
consuming read of the options.
I think these three are great selections for potential theological
discussion.
4 & 5 - The remaining two are good choices as well. Austen is a
completely different feel from the others. Borges is a recognized
genius. To be honest, his Labyrinths intimidates me because I read
another book of shorts by him (The Aleph and Other Stories) and I
comprehended very few of them. I think I remember being lost mostly
because of many allusions I didn't get and historical references I
didn't know (I think Spanish and Argentinian).
Future considerations for those with interest:
Like you said, Jordan, there are a ton of options in this category.
Just thinking about ones that might be interesting seminary student/
pastor options for anytime, I thought I'd throw four classic titles
out for future reference. Some may have been mentioned already: Cry,
The Beloved Country (Alan Paton), The Power and the Glory (Graham
Greene), The Plague (Albert Camus), and Portrait of the Artist as a
Young Man (James Joyce). I'm sure this is only the tip of a large
iceberg.
1. East of Eden - Steinbeck is one of my favorites and has yet to
disappoint. Read this one several years ago and enjoyed it but would
like to reread as I've forgotten most of the details.
2. Death of Ivan Ilyich (and other stories?) - In my copy, Death is
about 50 pages but the collection includes "Family Happiness," "The
Kreutzer Sonata" and "Master and Man," altogether about 300 pages.
Read this one but again it's been too long to remember details. LIked
it.
3.Crime and Punishment - I enjoy saying "Raskolnikov." I remember more
details from this one than the others, probably because it left a
strong impression. I think for me this would be the most time-
consuming read of the options.
I think these three are great selections for potential theological
discussion.
4 & 5 - The remaining two are good choices as well. Austen is a
completely different feel from the others. Borges is a recognized
genius. To be honest, his Labyrinths intimidates me because I read
another book of shorts by him (The Aleph and Other Stories) and I
comprehended very few of them. I think I remember being lost mostly
because of many allusions I didn't get and historical references I
didn't know (I think Spanish and Argentinian).
Future considerations for those with interest:
Like you said, Jordan, there are a ton of options in this category.
Just thinking about ones that might be interesting seminary student/
pastor options for anytime, I thought I'd throw four classic titles
out for future reference. Some may have been mentioned already: Cry,
The Beloved Country (Alan Paton), The Power and the Glory (Graham
Greene), The Plague (Albert Camus), and Portrait of the Artist as a
Young Man (James Joyce). I'm sure this is only the tip of a large
iceberg.
Audra Marvin
Apr 23, 2011, 8:27:47 PM4/23/11
to Summer Book Club
Crime & Punishment would be great because it would give me the impetus
I need to finish it, since I'm slowly making my way through it right
now. I'd also be interested in Persuasion. I'm not at all interested
in Tolstoy or in a collection of short stories - mainly because that
doesn't qualify as a novel. I bet I could be persuaded to East of
Eden.
I need to finish it, since I'm slowly making my way through it right
now. I'd also be interested in Persuasion. I'm not at all interested
in Tolstoy or in a collection of short stories - mainly because that
doesn't qualify as a novel. I bet I could be persuaded to East of
Eden.
Kati Rucker
Apr 26, 2011, 11:03:33 PM4/26/11
to Summer Book Club
Jane Austen, always. My hands down favorite author. I've read this
book repeatedly and I'd kind of like to see what guys might have to
say about it. I'm also interested in Labryinths, though Audra makes a
good point that it technically is not a novel. And I could go for East
of Eden mostly because I have long felt like one of the few people who
didn't read it in high school. I like a good story.
book repeatedly and I'd kind of like to see what guys might have to
say about it. I'm also interested in Labryinths, though Audra makes a
good point that it technically is not a novel. And I could go for East
of Eden mostly because I have long felt like one of the few people who
didn't read it in high school. I like a good story.
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