One book to read before you die.....

[benecios]

It has probably been covered before but if you had to suggest one book to be read by everyone,what would it be? It can be factual,fiction,biography,anything at all.
The reason I ask is because I see so many of you during discussions mention various books that I have never even heard of and with so little reading time on my hands I want to make the right choices.

 

[JBZ]

Lonesome Dove - Larry McMurtry

 

[MOCAZEN]

one of the greatest books I ever read was forced on me during a South American Literature course while doing my B.A, it was Jose Agustin "De Perfil" its in spanish , but I'm sure there has to be a copy of one in english

 

[dkzzzz]

Oh, anything by Borghes or Nabokoff really.

 

[Connemara]

The Sea by John Banville. Some of the greatest prose ever written. Period.

 

[DNW]

Thus Spake Zarathustra - Nietzsche

 

[Thomas]

Lolita.

Read today - take your time, please - and repeat every ten years or so. Each reading has been more rewarding than the previous one.

 

[chorse123]

This is such a crazy question. One book that everyone should read? I can't think of only one. Okay, fine. Survival in Auschwitz by Primo Levi EDIT - I think you're in the States, but if you're not, it's published as If This is a Man

 

[Britalian]

A la recherche du temps perdu/In Search Of Lost Time, Marcel Proust.

Five or six years ago, over several months. Absorbing, beautiful prose which took me to depths of characterisation previously not encountered. Set aside a good few hours each time you settle down with it, and, ideally, a glass of something nice.

 

[lawyerdad]

Originally Posted by dkzzzz

Oh, anything by Borghes or Nabokoff really.
Borges
Nabokov
But spelling nit-picking aside, good choices.

 

[dkzzzz]

Originally Posted by Thomas

Lolita.

Read today - take your time, please - and repeat every ten years or so. Each reading has been more rewarding than the previous one.

I have to say Lolita is my least fav. of his works. Unfortunately it is the one that was popularised the most. Please take a look at his many early works, such as: The Defense, Glory, Laughter in the Dark.

 

[Thomas]

Originally Posted by dkzzzz

I have to say Lolita is my least fav. of his works. Unfortunately it is the one that was popularised the most. Please take a look at his many early works, such as: The Defense, Glory, Laughter in the Dark.

Fair enough. I read Invitation to a Beheading and wasn't blown away, but then again I read it only once which is unfair given the preferential treatment I've shown to Lolita. I'll start looking for his earlier ones.

 

[lawyerdad]

Originally Posted by dkzzzz

I have to say Lolita is my least fav. of his works. Unfortunately it is the one that was popularised the most. Please take a look at his many early works, such as: The Defense, Glory, Laughter in the Dark.
For me, Pale Fire can't be beat. But count me among the Lolita fans, as well. +1 on The Defense.

 

[tiger02]

Not exactly answering the question, but I can't think of anything better to read when in combat than For Whom the Bell Tolls.

 

[globetrotter]

Originally Posted by tiger02

Not exactly answering the question, but I can't think of anything better to read when in combat than For Whom the Bell Tolls.
have you read tim obrien? the things they carried, and going after caciatto? those are some of my favorite books.