floatingleaf | (no subject)

An interesting book meme I have snagged from

lady_elina:

Name fifteen books you've read that will always stay with you, and don't take too much time to think about it (the first fifteen you can recall in no more than 15 minutes). Copy this into your own post.

More or less in the order of importance - though that is, of course, subject to certain fluctuations:

1) Mary Renault, The Persian Boy (or the entire so-called 'Alexander trilogy', of which this book is the central part)

2) Mary Renault, The King Must Die and The Bull from the Sea (I am treating those as one book, because they comprise one story - a magnificently epic retelling of the myth of Theseus)

3) Mary Renault, The Charioteer

4) Jeanette Winterson, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit

5) Jeanette Winterson, The Stone Gods

6) Anne Rice, The Vampire Lestat

7) Christopher Rice, A Density of Souls (Christopher is Anne's son, and this was his first novel and so far the best, imo - though I haven't read the latest one yet)

8) Sara Maitland, Angel Maker (this is actually a collection of short stories, but most of them had a PROFOUND effect on me, so I think it totally qualifies)

9) Cherry Potts, Mosaic of Air (again, a short story collection, significant because of the author's unique perspective)

10) Emily Bronte, Wuthering Heights

11) Monique Truong, The Book of Salt (another first novel by a young author that left me open-mouthed with awe)

12) Patrick Suskind, Perfume

13) Kathryn Harrison, Poison

14) Margaret Atwood, A Handmaid's Tale

15) Alice Borchardt, 'the Wolf Trilogy' - comprised of The Silver Wolf, Night of the Wolf and The Wolf King (Alice was Anne Rice's sister, and she also wrote novels with supernatural themes - but instead of vampires, she favored werewolves ;)

Most of these are historical fiction and/or fantasy. Many have supernatural elements. Most are written with great epic skill and in unique, beautiful language. Some (notably the antologies by Maitland and Potts) retell famous mythical or biblical stories from a decidedly feminist (and/or lesbian) perspective. Most have prominent gay characters - or characters who are 'different' and/or feel excluded from society for some other reason. This is probably the essence of why these books took up a permanent residence inside my brain. Which tells you a lot about my brain, I suppose - perhaps all you need to know.;)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I love this meme! I might have to snag it. :D I adore Mary Renault's Alexander books but I haven't been able to bring myself to read Funeral Games yet. I must read the two Theseus ones you mentioned. I must read a bunch of these, actually ;) Thanks for the recommendations and for sharing your thoughts. ♥

Funeral Games are pretty depressing, but no less brilliant than the other two. It's just that The Persian Boy holds a really special place in my heart. *clutches the book to chest*

The Theseus books are stunning because they evoke the clash between ancient matriarchal society (Crete) and early patriarchy represented by the Greeks. And Renault, of course, is completely non-judgemental in her representation of either culture - merely letting us have a peek into the minds & souls of people on both sides. It's her trademark, and the dramatic effects are staggering. *worships*

Okay, so I need to read these right now and my library better have them. ♥

Thanks for sharing this. I knew a few of these but there were several I didn't, and I have now added them to my wish list.

I'll try this... though I fear I'm not able to come up with fifteen. I'm widely read, but I rarely feel the urge to revit a book because I liked it so much.

This must be one of the best memes around. Will definitely snag it. Read some, had to check out some and J. Winterson is in my need-to-read list.

Handmaid's Tale lingers a lot after reading. You preferred Persian Boy over Fire from Heaven? The latter was my favourite. Haven't read any other Renault's since they aren't in the libraries here and other novels have taken ordering priority over them for me.

You preferred Persian Boy over Fire from Heaven?

I think I did - though I love them both. It's just that I read The Persian Boy first - actually, it was the first book by Mary Renault that ever found its way into my hands, and therefore it is very special. Plus, Bagoas is such a tragic character. *snuggles the boy like there's no tomorrow* ;)

I have read most of Renault's novels, I think, except for a few early ones that aren't easily available. I wanted to include mor of her on this list, but since it was supposed to be only 15 books, I decided to give other authors a chance as well...;P

I love Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit! The Stone Gods also made a huge impression on me -- unfortunately I felt that the last quarter of the book didn't quite live up to what had gone before, but Winterson's style is simply gorgeous. I adore the way she uses language.

I also love Renault's The Charioteer. I should definitely read more of her books.

Winterson does have a tendency to veer off on strange tangents and temporarily lose sight of the storyline - if there is one in the first place, lol. But she also has moments of pure brilliance that totally make up for this. And yes, the things she does with language are simply amazing.

I also love Renault's The Charioteer. I should definitely read more of her books.

Yes, you should.:D

Interesting read. I've seen Emily Bronte, Wuthering Heights mentioned in other memes like this. I think I have it at home, I haven't read it yet.

It's a classic. And definitely my favorite on the list of classics I had to read for my English literature studies.:)