Since you've listed two "modern novels pretending to be 19th century novels", I wonder if you considered the one which is, to my mind, the greatest of them all: Charles Palliser's The Quincunx. An utterly compelling book - infinitely greater (in my view) than either Faber or Fowles.
Just one recommendation. This is a book that really MUST be read in hard copy, not on a screen - because there are graphic symbols which you have to see, which play a key role in interpreting the work (though you probably have to read the book twice to understand why ...). A lot of electronic reproductions won't represent them properly.
I haven’t read a couple of these but the others are spot on. I’m afraid I never managed to get on with Ferrante but my granddaughter loves her! I am taking Stephen King’s latest on a long train journey and for lovers of police procedurals I’d recommend Simon Mason. Mick Herron of course for spies….
This is a fantastic list, and on the strength of it I’m going to read Ferrante. I was put off by someone whose taste I don’t much rate liking her books immoderately.
Let me know how you get on with her. I think it might be that she's so good even people with bad taste get swept along (or the bad taste person was showing off by pretending to like them?)
I've read all of these, and some (Ferrante, Hollinghurst, Hadley - though to my mind her Free Love is better) would probably be on my own list too. I second the suggestions of St Aubyn's Melrose novels and Palliser's The Quincunx.
I suppose it depends somewhat on whether you want a holiday novel to be totally absorbing, but not re-readable, or if you want something that you want to be able to savour again.
The best new novel I've read this year is Ferdia Lennon's Glorious Exploits, which has won a number of prizes inc the Orwell, and which pulls off the feat of being comical,tragical, historical and original (about two Sicilian potters who put on a performance of Euripides with a cast of Athenian prisoners.)
Brilliant thank you. Second Melrose and evidently need to read The Quincunx. I really liked Free Love but was maybe a little less absorbed than by The Past. Or maybe The Past just stands out as the first Hadley I read
Thrilled to see The Crimson Petal and the White here, it’s one of my favourite novels and I happened to recommend it to someone who’d never heard of it the other day. This has also reminded me that I’ve never got around to The French Lieutenant’s Woman and really must.
A good list including a few of my favourite novels. As good as The French Lieutent's Woman is, I would favour The Magus by John Fowles over this, not least since it takes place on a sizzling Greek Island and I like to align my reading to season, weather and circumstance.
I really enjoyed The Magus a few years ago. I left it off partly because the plot is a bit ludicrous and also because I know a few people who really hate it so it doesn't pass the re-recommended test!
James, following your recent recommendation I have brought The Corner That Held Them on holiday with me. I know it needs some patience but not sure if I shouldn’t have chosen something a bit more user friendly. Onwards though…and thanks for your recommendations.
Oh God sorry - that book has divided opinion a bit. You're not the only one. I think I should have emphasised a bit more that it's not conventionally plotty and more about the journey....
No problem. My husband was lost in it and said just the same. It’s a great find and I am sure I will appreciate it under the right circumstances which might not be right now.
Cracking list with plenty that I haven’t read! Am reminded that I still haven’t read the last instalment of the Neapolitan Quartet; that I never finished The Line of Beauty or The Crimson Petal… You are right about Donna Tartt and I speak as a classicist. Jenny Diski is a hole in my reading. Adore Tessa Hadley. Ooh quite excited about my forthcoming holiday now!
I love the writing of Jenny Diski, she was so brilliant and especially loved Skating to Antarctica. This is such a meaty list with several here that I want to read, so thank you.
Thank you for reading. I have actually written a draft of a non-fiction equivalent but it's incredibly long. Not sure whether I should just publish as my 100 favourite non-fiction books or break it down into history/sciece/politics/culture etc
Thank you for sharing this list, James. On your recommendation (and that of many others), I’ll be downloading The Line of Beauty to my Kindle. As for Elena Ferrante, I hadn’t even heard the name until a few days ago — which probably says something damning about my reading habits, or my algorithm.
Thanks for this. Can I raise a hand for the extraordinarily immersive Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry?
heard so many good things - really must read this
Seconded!!!!
Since you've listed two "modern novels pretending to be 19th century novels", I wonder if you considered the one which is, to my mind, the greatest of them all: Charles Palliser's The Quincunx. An utterly compelling book - infinitely greater (in my view) than either Faber or Fowles.
never read it but will put on my list thank you
Just one recommendation. This is a book that really MUST be read in hard copy, not on a screen - because there are graphic symbols which you have to see, which play a key role in interpreting the work (though you probably have to read the book twice to understand why ...). A lot of electronic reproductions won't represent them properly.
you'll love it
Let me take the opportunity to recommend the novel that both pretends to be a victorian one and simultaneously mocks it, "Possession".
I would love to add Barbara Kingsolver’s The Poisonwood Bible…. beautiful writing and a glimpse into a different kind of heart of darkness.
Yes I love that book. I don’t know why I didn’t put it on the list
I’ve lost count of the number of copies I’ve given away - I think Barbara owes me some commission 🤣
I haven’t read a couple of these but the others are spot on. I’m afraid I never managed to get on with Ferrante but my granddaughter loves her! I am taking Stephen King’s latest on a long train journey and for lovers of police procedurals I’d recommend Simon Mason. Mick Herron of course for spies….
This is a fantastic list, and on the strength of it I’m going to read Ferrante. I was put off by someone whose taste I don’t much rate liking her books immoderately.
Let me know how you get on with her. I think it might be that she's so good even people with bad taste get swept along (or the bad taste person was showing off by pretending to like them?)
You will not be sorry. The quartet is has raised the bar entirely on the remainder of my reading life.
I've read all of these, and some (Ferrante, Hollinghurst, Hadley - though to my mind her Free Love is better) would probably be on my own list too. I second the suggestions of St Aubyn's Melrose novels and Palliser's The Quincunx.
I suppose it depends somewhat on whether you want a holiday novel to be totally absorbing, but not re-readable, or if you want something that you want to be able to savour again.
The best new novel I've read this year is Ferdia Lennon's Glorious Exploits, which has won a number of prizes inc the Orwell, and which pulls off the feat of being comical,tragical, historical and original (about two Sicilian potters who put on a performance of Euripides with a cast of Athenian prisoners.)
Brilliant thank you. Second Melrose and evidently need to read The Quincunx. I really liked Free Love but was maybe a little less absorbed than by The Past. Or maybe The Past just stands out as the first Hadley I read
Thrilled to see The Crimson Petal and the White here, it’s one of my favourite novels and I happened to recommend it to someone who’d never heard of it the other day. This has also reminded me that I’ve never got around to The French Lieutenant’s Woman and really must.
If you like The Crimson Petal you'll love The French Lieutentant's Woman I think!
A good list including a few of my favourite novels. As good as The French Lieutent's Woman is, I would favour The Magus by John Fowles over this, not least since it takes place on a sizzling Greek Island and I like to align my reading to season, weather and circumstance.
I really enjoyed The Magus a few years ago. I left it off partly because the plot is a bit ludicrous and also because I know a few people who really hate it so it doesn't pass the re-recommended test!
I suspect The Magus might be a bit dated now but I would still recommend for a young-ish male reader.
Anne Tyler! For a number of reasons, A Patchwork Planet is one of my favourite novels. Please tell me you like that one.
I would recommend Edward St Aubyn’s Patrick Melrose novels. But they might not quite be holiday reads.
I've never read that Anne Tyler - and you're quite right about Patrick Melrose - those books should be on the list
Well, I recommend reading it on your holiday!
James, following your recent recommendation I have brought The Corner That Held Them on holiday with me. I know it needs some patience but not sure if I shouldn’t have chosen something a bit more user friendly. Onwards though…and thanks for your recommendations.
Oh God sorry - that book has divided opinion a bit. You're not the only one. I think I should have emphasised a bit more that it's not conventionally plotty and more about the journey....
No problem. My husband was lost in it and said just the same. It’s a great find and I am sure I will appreciate it under the right circumstances which might not be right now.
Cracking list with plenty that I haven’t read! Am reminded that I still haven’t read the last instalment of the Neapolitan Quartet; that I never finished The Line of Beauty or The Crimson Petal… You are right about Donna Tartt and I speak as a classicist. Jenny Diski is a hole in my reading. Adore Tessa Hadley. Ooh quite excited about my forthcoming holiday now!
let me know how you get on if you read any of them !
Will do!
I love the writing of Jenny Diski, she was so brilliant and especially loved Skating to Antarctica. This is such a meaty list with several here that I want to read, so thank you.
I've not actually read any of her novels. I should!
A wonderful list, thank you. I’ve just added each to my Kindle! A non-fiction equivalent would be most welcome.
Thank you for reading. I have actually written a draft of a non-fiction equivalent but it's incredibly long. Not sure whether I should just publish as my 100 favourite non-fiction books or break it down into history/sciece/politics/culture etc
Breaking it down by category would seem a sensible approach.
I always recommend ‘beware of pity’ by stefan zweig which is wonderful and very compulsive
I tried that but couldn't get on with it. Perhaps I need another go...
Thank you for sharing this list, James. On your recommendation (and that of many others), I’ll be downloading The Line of Beauty to my Kindle. As for Elena Ferrante, I hadn’t even heard the name until a few days ago — which probably says something damning about my reading habits, or my algorithm.
I really think you have a treat ahead of you with the Line of Beauty - let me know how you get along with it
This is a great list. Mainly because I have read several (3!), so it makes me feel smart too…and validated.