What is your favourite novel, and why?

Canadiangran
The Light Between Oceans is a really sad and beautiful story, and for once, the film of the book is not bad either

As a child, from age 7-14 I used to lose myself in books and the very sensitive librarians at my local library really encouraged me and led me to choose books I may have overlooked, including many of the ‘classics’ already mentioned.

I read Anya Seton’s Katherine, as a young adult and it has never really been supplanted as a book that I can read and re-read and still thoroughly enjoy.

Another book that I’m surprised hasn’t been mentioned is Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. It’s a weighty tome, but the characters and storyline are very engaging.

Sara1954

Glammagran
Your choice of ‘Lessons’ surprised me, I am about half way through, and I’m not particularly enjoying it, but I’ve still got a way to go.

I admit I didn’t much enjoy Lessons at the start but it really grew on me as I went on through the book. DH has started it which is quite an achievement as he usually only ever reads Sci-Fi,

I devoured the Chalet School books when i was around 12 to 13.
Anybody else read A Solitary Grief, by Bernice Reubens? Its a heartbreaking story of the birth of a baby who has Downs Syndrome. Its bleak and heartbreaking but so percetively written

Glammagran
That’s good to know, I’ll see how I get on tonight, but it seems too crowded, like he’s trying to fit too much in.

Sara1954

With A Thousand Splendid Suns, I kept forgetting I was reading a book set in the present, until someone mentioned a phone or a television, I would feel I was in biblical times.

Yes, I agree. It was our Book Group choice which happened to be over Christmas, and I found it so upsetting. I'm not exaggerating when I say that it rather spoilt Christmas for me.
I cried a lot over it, and although I'd like to read it again, there hasn't been a time in my life recently when I want to go through that upset again.

Probably Wuthering Heights.

Difficult to choose but I tend to go back to Jane Austen and, in particular, Persuasion. All of her novels have a rich variety of characters, but for some reason which I can't quite explain I love this one the best.

Another vote for 'Gone with the Wind' here.

When I was leaving school, having take' A level English, my very good English teacher asked me my favourite author and favourite novel. I replied Jane Austen' and 'Pride and Prejudice'.

Her reply was that when I was more mature I would prefer 'Persuasion'.

She was right, I do now prefer 'Persuasion' and reading on this thread, the number of people who also say that Persuasion' is their favourite Jan Austen, I realise how very riht she was.

M0nica

When I was leaving school, having take' A level English, my very good English teacher asked me my favourite author and favourite novel. I replied Jane Austen' and 'Pride and Prejudice'.

Her reply was that when I was more mature I would prefer 'Persuasion'.

She was right, I do now prefer 'Persuasion' and reading on this thread, the number of people who also say that Persuasion' is their favourite Jan Austen, I realise how very riht she was.

You may want to rethink your wording rather than offend the others who prefer P&P Monica. I suspect we are equally mature, and have our reasons.

I’m not offended!

Cider with Rosie by Laurie Lee
and
Lark Rise to Candleford by Flora Thomson

both very peaceful reading.

Sorry, no offence meant. I had only seen the posts from those preferring Persuasion.

Glammagran
Just a quick update on ‘Lessons’
I am getting drawn in, and am now enjoying it.

Rosalyn69

Probably Wuthering Heights.

I loved WH as a teenager, and remembered it as being very sexy and romantic. I re-read it as an adult, and it really wasn't. There was no sex, and absolutely no romance. Heathcliffe and Cathy's relationship was what would now be called toxic .

A book of poems that tells the story of a relationship from start to end is Rapture by Carol Ann Duffy. I love that so much, and read it often.

Casdon

M0nica

When I was leaving school, having take' A level English, my very good English teacher asked me my favourite author and favourite novel. I replied Jane Austen' and 'Pride and Prejudice'.

Her reply was that when I was more mature I would prefer 'Persuasion'.

She was right, I do now prefer 'Persuasion' and reading on this thread, the number of people who also say that Persuasion' is their favourite Jan Austen, I realise how very riht she was.

You may want to rethink your wording rather than offend the others who prefer P&P Monica. I suspect we are equally mature, and have our reasons.

Oh, gosh, Casdon. I love P & P, too. I just love Persuasion more.

I'm a huge Georgette Heyer fan, too. Nobody's mentioned her. I think her style is impeccable in her earlier novels and admire the way she's created a totally convincing version of the early 19thC which probably didn't exist (I've read lots of contemporary letters and memoirs...)

Severnsider

Cider with Rosie by Laurie Lee
and
Lark Rise to Candleford by Flora Thomson

both very peaceful reading.

... I second that!

Doodledog
I re read Wuthering Heights a few years ago, and it almost seemed to be a different book than I remembered, so much more to it, I think Kate Bush may have warped my memories.
They were both quite unpleasant characters, Kathy in particular was horrible.
But I still really enjoyed it, and may read it again at some point.

Jane Eyre, which we read at school when I was 13. I still have my 30p Penguin copy but it’s been read so often that a few years ago I bought a new copy - not for 30p though!

The Thorn Birds. No reason just unforgettable.

Anna Karenin simply for the shock.of the ending, I wasn't expecting that 😱, and The Warden by Anthony Trollope, for the portrayal of the eponymous warden, Mr Harding, playing his invisible cello when he was upset, and for his affection towards his charges. When his daughter Eleanor slapped the 'odious Mr Slope' well that just sealed the deal and I had to go on.and read all if the Barchester Chronicles.

As a teenager Catcher In The Rye and also Le Grand Meaulnes by Alain Fournier as I reckon it helped me secure my place at uni .

Little Women and To Kill a Mockingbird are probably my all time favourites,carried on from childhood. Both touched me greatly. The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns. Both give an emotional insight into life in Afghanistan.

For me it’s Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. The first page always drags me in - even though I nearly know it off by heart.
When I was younger ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ was a favourite.
However nowadays I tend to read more nonfiction.