Are The "Great American Novels" Actually Worth Reading?

[Babalu1]

Don't be afraid to Better yourself. You should read them all.

It's not that I'm afraid to better myself, it's just fact that not everything you read in school is something you would choose to read in your free time. It's also true that a lot of "classic" books/movies/songs do not hold up for future generations to enjoy.

[Klem76]

Read Blood Meridian brah, last of the great american novels imho
and some Ellroy as well

[APPhysicsC]

yes


All the books which you're supposed to read in high school are actually pretty good books

most high schoolers never even give them a chance aside from considering them schoolwork

I thoroughly enjoyed everything I've read in highschool

[NoCauseRebel]

Charles Bukowski:

Ham on Rye
The Post Office
Women

And of course his poetry.

He was born in Germany, though, and his books are never mentioned to be among the greatest. But I think he's very entertaining to read.

[Babalu1]

Read Blood Meridian brah, last of the great american novels imho
and some Ellroy as well

I got half way through Blood Meridian and had to give up. I absolutely hated the way it was written with those massive unstructured sentences. I read "The Road" by McCarthy and found it was written much better.

[Babalu1]

Charles Bukowski:

Ham on Rye
The Post Office
Women

And of course his poetry.

He was born in Germany, though, and his books are never mentioned to be among the greatest. But I think he's very entertaining to read.

I've read about him but I've not read any of his stuff. The character in "Californication" is loosely based on Bukowski's time in LA.

[ChickenBowl]

big fan of Kurt Vonnegut's works. Sure, his stories can be random as heck but he knows how to write.

Currently reading the extended version of Stephen King's, The Stand. Never really got into SK's books but so far, it's solid. Can't say I'm blown away though quite yet

Since there are a few well-read ppl ITT, I'll ask if anyone read Crime and Punishment and actually got something out of it

I enjoyed crime and punishment. I had trouble getting in to other dostoevsky novels though.

[TriggerWarning]

I've always wanted to read catcher in the rye, there is a strong Conspiracy theory history revolving around that book

[NoCauseRebel]

I've read about him but I've not read any of his stuff. The character in "Californication" is loosely based on Bukowski's time in LA.

That character suppososly is based on Henry Chinaski who is Charles Bukowski's alter ego in his novels. Much of Bukowski's work is autobiographical but he likes to add more excitement and fictionalizes some parts of his life to make it more entertaining... hence using a fictional character instead of himself as the protagonist.
Bukowski lived the majority of his life in L.A.

The movies Barfly and Factotum are also about Henry Chinaski.

[HeeHee23]

Out of curiosity OP, aside from Shakespeare which I think most English-speaking countries probably read, what specific stuff did you have to read in school in the UK?

[FlaviusStilicho]

yes


All the books which you're supposed to read in high school are actually pretty good books

most high schoolers never even give them a chance aside from considering them schoolwork

This. It's too bad school ruins these books. All of the ones you listed are called "Great Books" for a reason.

Atticus may be the greatest father in literature.

Also, I would say don't bother with Bukowski or any other degenerate crap. I will second the recommendation for Orwell. Homage to Catalonia is one of my favorite books. Snapped me out of my stupid idealistic teenage phase and made me more conservative.

[wulpurgis]

[Babalu1]

Out of curiosity OP, aside from Shakespeare which I think most English-speaking countries probably read, what specific stuff did you have to read in school in the UK?

I'm sure it's different for everyone but (other than Shakespeare) I remember reading;

- Of Mice and Men
- Birdsong
- Death of a Salesman
- The 39 Steps

I can't remember what else (I must be getting old!)

For me it was essentially a mix of plays (Arthur Millar and a lot of Shakespeare), a couple of famous British books and a couple of famous American ones. We read a lot of poetry too.

[STAYDENCH]

The GOAT book is Lord of The Flies

Read It

[Babalu1]

The GOAT book is Lord of The Flies

Read It

Reading it currently brah, happy that it's pretty short as I'm coming off "It" by Stephen King which is long as fuk.

[qqTpp]

Catcher in the Rye, too much teenage angst.
Great Gatsby, yes overrated but a good read nonetheless.
Moby-Dick is a true classic.
I liked the racial themes in To Kill A Mockingbird.
Haven't read Grapes of Wrath yet.

[Doober4]

Huck Finn is probably my favorite book, Gatsby is also a must read very well written the imagery is excellent.

[DMRed]

Considering all you Ameribrahs were probably forced to read them in high school, can you confirm if any of these are worth reading today;

- The Catcher in the Rye
- The Great Gatsby
- Moby-Dick
- Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
- To Kill A Mockingbird
- Grapes of Wrath

The only really famous American book I had to read in high school was "Of Mice and Men", the rest were plays and British books.

I love reading and I'm wanted to expand out from my usual horror stories. TY men.

Out of the list provided:

Grapes of Wrath was a tough read, in my opinion. Really couldn't get into it like I could some of the other classics.

Gatsby is a good read, much better than the movie. To Kill A Mockingbird was good, Catcher in the Rye I've heard many good things about from people my age (did not read).

Huck Finn is entirely in broken English so you have to be patient with it. Moby Dick is too long and boring.

[jdboyd78]

If you are talking about "Great American Novels", I think The Sound and the Fury has to be mentioned, loved it. To Kill a Mockingbird was really good, haven't read it since high school. I love anything by Mark Twain, Huck Finn or Tom Sawyer is a good start.

I read "It" too, great book, long as hell though. Supposedly there is a two part remake motion picture coming out, it could be one of the scariest movies ever if done well.

[Thukydides]

Where does Kerouac rank in the american novels? Currently reading The Dharma Bums and really like it so far, On the Road is next.
Is there also any book that is as good or better than War & Peace?

I've always wanted to read catcher in the rye, there is a strong Conspiracy theory history revolving around that book

Then do it! You can read it in a single day.

[NasStan]

To Kill a Mockingbird? Definitely. The others are just okay reads for me.

[Babalu1]

I read "It" too, great book, long as hell though. Supposedly there is a two part remake motion picture coming out, it could be one of the scariest movies ever if done well.

I agree man, if it's done right it could be wonderful. Have you seen the TV movie from the 90's? I don't think it was that bad considering, and I loved Tim Curry as Pennywise. The ending was dog chit, but the ending in the book is so fuking weird I'm not sure it can be done well on the big screen with [SPOILERS] Bill meeting with the talking tortoise and chit [/SPOILERS].

[BlueMoon92]

need more Faulkner brah, The Sound and the Fury or As I Lay Dying

[FlaviusStilicho]

Try Tortilla Flats by Steinbeck. Shows what makes a man noble in dissolute times.

[welshy10]

Can't comment on Huck finn or Moby dick because I haven't read them but the rest I think are well worth reading (british brah here).
Catcher in the Rye is a good book to read late teens I feel, I'm thinking of reading it again soon to see if I react differently to it because I'm older.
Great Gatsby I didn't like at first but I read it again and it definitely grew on me. Good to get a perspective on materialistic boom in 1920's america.
I read Mockingbird ages ago but from what I remember it was a good read although a bit too long maybe.
Also any Steinbeck is great. Grapes of wrath and East of Eden really made an impression on me and I thoroughly enjoyed.

What are some of your fav books OP brah? I'm looking for some new books to read.

[Babalu1]

Can't comment on Huck finn or Moby dick because I haven't read them but the rest I think are well worth reading (british brah here).
Catcher in the Rye is a good book to read late teens I feel, I'm thinking of reading it again soon to see if I react differently to it because I'm older.
Great Gatsby I didn't like at first but I read it again and it definitely grew on me. Good to get a perspective on materialistic boom in 1920's america.
I read Mockingbird ages ago but from what I remember it was a good read although a bit too long maybe.
Also any Steinbeck is great. Grapes of wrath and East of Eden really made an impression on me and I thoroughly enjoyed.

What are some of your fav books OP brah? I'm looking for some new books to read.

Good insight man.

My favourite books consist entirely of horror and serial killer non-fiction;

It, The Shining and Salem's Lot by Stephen King are all fantastic.

American Psycho is good if you don't mind the weird and the graphic.

The Exorcist is good even if you have seen the movie.

"The Stranger Beside Me" by Ann Rule is a book I recommend to everyone. It is the true story of Ted Bundy from the perspective of a women who knew him for several years and kept in contact with him during his trial. It' a crazy coincidence that she was one of Bundy's friends and ended up being a very successful True Crime author.

[toboku]

Huck Finn is good. Moby Dick is good but the problem is theres large sections that read like a textbook on the whaling industry. This is where it gets boring and loses people I think. It can be difficult to plow through. I hated Catcher in the Rye. I hated the little **** main character.

The Jungle by Upton Sinclair is good but the end gets very preachy and basically turns to socialist propaganda

There's a great book that I always recommend because it deserves to be more well known than it is. The Stars my Destination by Alfred Bester. Srs. Anyone who likes to read should read this.

Other recommendations:
Starship Troopers and The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Heinlein
The Forever War -Joe Haldeman
Armor -Steakley

[AreolaBorealis]

Catcher in the rye is ****, don't waste your time. Thought Gatsby was boring as hell but others seem to like it.

I disagree bro. Holden Caulfield was a 20th century miscer. Hit me right in my feel.

[Babalu1]

Other recommendations:
Starship Troopers and The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Heinlein

Does that book have anything to do with the movie? Fukin GOAT movie srs

[toboku]

Does that book have anything to do with the movie? Fukin GOAT movie srs

I love the movie too but for different reasons lol

The book is I guess more about Johnny Rico's journey through the military, he attends officers school not promoted on the spot like hte movie. A lot more of his History and Moral Philosophy Class. Very thought provoking. The Johnny Rico in the book would have torn that *** Xander limb from limb. The Soldiers wear power armor and theres a lot less of them. Not just like a mob of guys with guns running into the slaughter. They are very highly trained and skilled professionals. The actual battles and the war I dont feel are the main focus of the book. A very good read.