More Literature

I thought I'd update with more books I love. From 1930-1980:

Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote
This is my all-time favourite book, one of few to have truly changed my life. I cannot say enough about the brilliance of the novella, so I may have to let the Wall Street Journal speak for me.
"'Tiffany's' -- a triumph of literary imagination, narrative structure, prose style, deep emotion kept under extraordinary control, and real moral seriousness-- that marked Capote's artistic summit."
The movie positively ruined the perfection that the novella achieves, so do yourself a favour and read the book-- don't just watch the movie. As cute as Audrey Hepburn is, she's no Holly Golightly.

Truman Capote has the fine distinction of being my favourite writer. Other books you should read by him include Other Voices, Other Rooms, Summer's Crossing, The Grass Harp, and The Complete Stories of Truman Capote ("Miriam" is my favourite).

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
The classic high school curriculum book depicting the futuristic world. Wonderfully imaginative but also disturbing, the pacing is perfect, as is the ending. The character name's make me smiles and I have been unable to think of Shakespeare, anti-depressents, and classical conditioning in the same way since.

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Another one of my absolute favourites. Although well known for her poetry, her prose style is remarkably refined as well. I read it having heard it called the girl's equivalent to Catcher in the Rye (which is not one of my favourites) and I feel it's a great story in its own right. Frankly, I'd prefer if it didn't spark those comparisons. Plath's description of Esther's (and her own) descent into mental illness is so convincing, you never feel that she's crazy. Beautifully crafted and interesting. It seems to me to be a pleasing read for all.

Enough Rope by Dorothy Parker
Not fiction, but rather a book of verse. Dorothy Parker has her own unique style of verse, always ironic and rhyming, that is difficult to effectivly replicate (I've tried). She has some really beautiful, funny poems, mainly poking fun at men. Although most were written when she was depressed, it's a great pick-me-up (ironic?)

Tomorrow, or whenever else I update, it'll be books from the latter half of the 19th century and from 1900-1930.