1. Casanova's Chinese Restaurant by Anthony Powell
From the first sentence onwards, reading this book is like sharing a chocolate bath with the young Brigitte Bardot.
2. Harold Nicolson by James Lees Milne
Brilliant diarist writes biography (two volumes) of brilliant diarist ... politician, diplomat, gardener, broadcaster, and author. Nicolson's own Some People nearly made it on this list. In fact, I have loved books by three generations of Nicolson's - Harold, and then Nigel and Adam: his son and grandson respectively.
3. A Country Doctor's Notebook by Mikhail Bulgakov
Thrilling: hilarious: brooding: haunting: brilliant - like everything Bulgakov wrote. But this is my favorite. Based on the authors experiences as a doctor in a remote Russian village on the south-western frontier circa 1916 or so.
4. Weymouth Sands by John Cowper Powys.
Good grief! Anti-vivisectionist, pro-masturbatory Welsh lunatic grabs ye by the scruff of the neck and won't let go until the last word has been engraved on your skull!
5. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
You can't argue with it, can you.
Why Pride and Prejudice? I agree Jane Austen should be on anyone's short list of world's best books. However, is Pride and Prejudice truly Jane's best or, more accurately, is it her most popular?
Posted by: Janet Jackson | October 08, 2004 at 13:52
Good point. But all the books I mentioned are "my favorites" as opposed to "the best" books.
I don't think I'm - or anyone for that matter - is qualified to choose "the best" books.
I agree, however, that P&P is certainly Austen's most popular book, if not her "best".
Posted by: stephenesque | October 08, 2004 at 14:38
P&P is my favorite book. I suggest we beat Janet over the head with it until she agrees.
I like these lists of five. I'm in the process of reshuffling my periodicals and wondered what five publications you believe are most worthy of one's subscription dollars.
Posted by: Outer Life | October 08, 2004 at 15:12
Think living with a confirmed but unrepentent Austen addict is easy? Think again. Or just ask the man who lives that life every day.
Bedside tables SHOULD be littered with books. But the SAME six books all the time?
Life SHOULD be analyzed through the prism of great literature. But the SAME six great books all the time?
I tell her I only truly appreciated Shakespeare when I read the plays of his contemporaries. I tell her that other authors have equally interesting--if not equally valid--points of view. I tell her that if she doesn't put down Mansfield Park this instant my head is going to pop off and roll down the street. Nothing works.
She just reads. The same six books. Over and over.
And to put the tin hat on it, I just read in Robert K. Massie's Dreadnought (not by Jane Austen, you notice) that the last great British PM of the 19th Century, Lord Salisbury, had all six of volumes of Miss Austen's output MEMORIZED. I assume this was so that, if he forgot his copy of Northanger Abbey for his train journey to Cowes, he could just recite instead.
When I read that bit about Salisbury I realized that if I don't take steps through the proper channels soon, I'm going to come home one night and find not my wife but a bearded, balding, bulbous, bilious Briton in the living room. Who will then recite all six volumes to me in order of publication.
Posted by: John Jackson | October 08, 2004 at 16:24
I tell you, it's like living in some sort of wierd, early 19th century re-education camp. The complete works of the exaulted Chairman Jane sum up all the world's wisdom. That is all ye know, and all ye need to know...
Posted by: John Jackson | October 08, 2004 at 16:27
Doctors in post-WWI England used to prescribe the reading of Jane Austen to shell-shocked soldiers. The restorative nature of her novels would help the soldiers to recover their senses.
After reading your posts Mr. Jackson, you too need a little Jane Austen.
I wonder if Theodore D. prescribes Jane Austen or takes a more modern approach with Prozac?
Posted by: Janet Jackson | October 08, 2004 at 16:52
Theodore D. probably prescribes some long-winded 19th century Russian rubbish.
Posted by: stephenesque | October 08, 2004 at 16:59
Theodore D. probably prescribes some long-winded 19th century Russian rubbish.
Posted by: stephenesque | October 08, 2004 at 17:00
No. I don't need Jane Austen. I need a heaping dose of marital familiarity. But I refuse to meet your conditions for such a merger.
Dressing up as Mr. D'Arcy indeed...
Posted by: John Jackson | October 08, 2004 at 17:06
OK, Mr Jackson you're getting a little weird...
But I'm sure Messrs. Outer Life, Misspent, and Stephenesque enjoyed that one.
Posted by: Janet Jackson | October 08, 2004 at 17:57
Pride and Prejudice has its moments, but Austen devotees vastly prefer her privately printed Pride and Prepuce.
Hard to find, but on occasion copies can be located on eBay.
Posted by: Van der Leun | October 09, 2004 at 15:20