07.05.07
Favourite Book?
This question comes from the Word Press blog, Booking Through Thursday, and I thought it might be fun to play along…
What, in your opinion, is the (mythical) Great American Novel? At least to date. A “classic,” or a current one–either would be fine. Mark Twain? J.D. Salinger? F. Scott Fitzgerald? Stephen King? Laura Ingalls Wilder?
It doesn’t have to be your favorite book, mind you. “Citizen Kane” may be the “best” film, and I concede its merits, but it’s not my favorite. You don’t have to love something to know that it’s good.
Now, I know that not all of you are American–but you can play, too! What I want from you is to know what you consider to the best novel of YOUR country. It might be someone the rest of us haven’t heard of and, frankly, I think we’d all like to get some new authors to read.
In fact, while we’re at it–I’m curious about the geographical make-up of this meme. So, while you’re leaving your link to your post, tell us where in the world you are! (For the record, I’m in New Jersey, USA.)
My immediate response regarding a Canadian favourite, and even after giving this a lot of thought and perusing of bookshelves, is still The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz by Mordecai Richler. The poor, delapidated, now bound-by-an-elastic, paperback Penguin copy has followed me since high school, which was a very long time ago, and has stood the test of many readings, the great movie version, and even a short-lived musical that opened - and closed - in Edmonton.
As for American novels, I still consider Richard Ford to be my favourite living author. But as for a favourite book I would have to say English Creek and Dancing At the Rascal Fair by Ivan Doig. I know, I know - that’s two books, but one follows beautifully after the other and neither has ever disapointed in surprising me as though I reading it for the first time again.
What about you? What’s your favourite book? Comments?
Paige Mason said,
July 5, 2007 at 1:53 pm
Choosing a favourite book is like choosing a favourite colour. Depends on my mood. The great Canadian novel… hmmm. That’s a question. What book is quintessentially Canadian - who has captured that sentiment. I’m going to stew on this for a while. Thanks for giving me something to think about on this lazy summer day.