Since I've been complaining a lot lately, both on- and offline, about disappointing books, I thought that I should be fair and mention some stand-out books that I read this last year.
A Journal of the Plague Year by Daniel Defoe
This is the most memorable of the lot this year: written in 1722, it describes the breakdown of society in plague-stricken London, 1665. Defoe includes a satisfying amount of facts and figures in with the story, which brings to life how the city experiences each stage of the plague. A remarkably modern work in many ways.
The Jeeves and Wooster books by P.G. Wodehouse
Any BBC-philes out there will recognize these characters: the '20s upperclass twit Bertie Wooster and his ever-resourceful gentleman's personal gentleman, Jeeves. The books top the movies, of course, particularly as they are told through the incredibly silly narration of Bertie himself (with a few notable exceptions told by Jeeves). There's just one succession of crazy plot after another, all meant to variously advance, dodge, or break an engagement. They're simply wonderful.
Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
I suspect that I actually read this in '06, but we'll sneak it in here since it seems to have gotten me started on this year's humor streak. This book is just endlessly entertaining. I am still amused picturing the demon Crowley intimidating his houseplants into becoming the most beautiful and lush houseplants ever — he read that talking to your plants is good for them, you see. It's just a great absurdly hilarious world.
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein
Yes, yes, how did I ever go so long without reading this book? In my defense, I'll only say that the first Heinlein I ever read was a late work, so I wasn't rushing to read more of him. This, however, truly is the classic that everyone touts it as. An interesting narrative perspective and a plot so well executed and believable that you could almost take it as a blueprint for a revolution. Just read it.
Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain
I'm an anecdote addict. I like telling and hearing them, and, of course, no one can tell them like Twain. Mostly an autobiography of his time as a pilot's apprentice learning the river, the book combines anecdote, legend, and news reports to document a culture that had already vanished by the time of its writing. I think it was this bittersweetness that's the real appeal.
Lyonesse by Jack Vance
Jack Vance is probably best known for his sci-fi adventures, which are marked by fully realized worlds and remarkably well-crafted language. I thoroughly enjoy almost any Jack Vance, but the Lyoness books are unique as a tongue-in-cheek Grail quest in which the Grail is completely and utterly trivial. The real quests are for identity and recognition. Just don't expect any depth of character in the fairy-tale villians.
The Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser books by Fritz Leiber
The original heroes of sword and sorcery — the books are really lighthearted and funny, too. They're all prime examples of buddy comedy adventure stories, each with the equivalent of Bond-girls.
2 comments:
Of your picks, I've read Good Omens and most of if not all the Fritz Leiber Lankhmar novels. I thoroughly enjoyed them all.
Have you read any written by Pratchett or Gaiman individually? I might suggest Small Gods from the former and American Gods from the latter.
I've read a bunch of the Discworld novels by Pratchett, most of which are crazy funny. When he hits his groove every other line is just hilarious. From Gaiman I've only read Stardust, which I enjoyed quite a bit. It's quite different from the movie, but somehow in such a way that each still works well. I've been eyeing American Gods for a while now, so it's good to hear you liked it.
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