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What is your favourite novel, and why?

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Doodledog Sun 26-Feb-23 21:07:07

I was asked this question yesterday (at a literary event), and my mind just went blank. I grasped at straws, and said Great Expectations, which is a very good book, but probably not my favourite of all time. Coming home on the bus, I started to think about what I would say if someone asked me again, but I'm not much further forward really.

How would you answer that question? Do you have a favourite novel, and do you know why you love it? If you can't make up your mind, what are your top three (or four or five, if that's easier)? You can change your mind tomorrow, so don't let the question faze you like it did me grin.

My list would probably include:
Maus by Art Speigleman, although maybe that shouldn't count, as it is a graphic novel
The Women's Room by Marilyn French, although it is probably terribly dated.
The Woman Who Walked Into Doors, or pretty much anything by Roddy Doyle, who is the only male author I know who can write convincingly from the point of view of a woman, but I've changed my mind already writing that (other contenders are The Autobiography of Henry VIII by Margaret George, Life of Pi by Yann Martel and The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini) and as soon as I see other people's choices I will change it again.

what are yours?

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TwiceAsNice Thu 25-Jan-24 12:25:43

I prefer Jo’s Boys to Little Women

Water ship Down, Richard Adams made me cry, as does the song Bright Eyes from the film

CJ Sansoms Tudor lawyer books, sometimes hard to read but I love the historical detail

Elizabeth Jane Howard’s Cazaleat Chronicles- best family saga series ever!

Black Beauty best ever children’s book which I’ve read again as an adult

Sophie’s Choice- terrible decision - it broke me! Made such an impact rather than it being a “favourite”

Modesty Blaise novels - can’t remember the authors name- Peter someone I think- for sheer fun and fantasy value

I’m a varied reader!

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TwiceAsNice Thu 25-Jan-24 12:32:14

I forgot Patricia Cornwall have read every single one of her books and Stephen Kings Fantasy books- all 7 of them

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TwiceAsNice Thu 25-Jan-24 12:35:21

And the Chalet School Books still have them sorry keep reading thread and remembering more

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Sadgrandma Tue 16-Jul-24 18:12:17

A book I really loved recently was Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey. It has also been a film starring Glenda Jackson. It really made me think about what it must be like to suffer from Alzheimer’s. The author was only 28 when she wrote it

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Bevbeau Sun 25-Aug-24 14:29:10

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. Read many times, my go to book when I'm upset.

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Witzend Sun 25-Aug-24 14:34:44

I could so easily list seven ‘desert island’ books!

Of the many, two favourites that I’ve re-read several times are The Way We Live Now (Anthony Trollope) and Crampton Hodnet (Barbara Pym).

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Greenfinch Sun 25-Aug-24 14:42:44

sadgrandma I agree with you about Elizabeth is Missing. Have you read her second novel: Whistle in the Dark which is equally as good ?It is also about disappearance but this time of a self- harming teenager with depression . Much food for thought.

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