What Writer's Read, and Why
An exchange of ... well, lists began a few days ago on The Internet Writing Workshop's discussion list, and soon evolved from "This is my favorite five books" list into a "This is why these books are favorites," which can give some insight into the art and craft of writing.
Here are a few of the more informative exchanges ...
Gene Schmidt said "Since no one else has mentioned them, let me put in a word for the short stories of Isaac Bashevis Singer, which I regard as only one or two rungs down from the Bible. In fact, the story "Gimple the Fool" is as close to a truly transcendent religious experience as you can have reading fiction.
"Also, as someone who grew up reading Sgt. Rock comics and Mickey Spillane detective novels, I'm shocked to be saying this, but a couple of years ago I read Jane Austen for the first time and was blown away. I've read all her novels twice over now ... and I would rate Emma as her masterpiece.
"And getting around to American literature, Gatsby is the all time champ in my opinion, but A Farewell to Arms is probably the most moving novel I've ever read, and certainly the best war novel. Nor should we forget the pioneering hardboiled detective novels of Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett.
"And the list goes on and on and on ... "
My friend Diane Diekman wrote, "I agree with those who say they can't cut the list to five. Although I don't often reread books, here are eight that stay in my mind as favorites. I've listed many more here."
- Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte (1847)
- Old Yeller - Fred Gipson (1956) - I first read this ten years ago, from the viewpoint of a writer. It's both a classic tale and an excellently crafted piece of writing.
- Mistress of Mellyn - Victoria Holt -This gothic romance from my youth started an interest in the genre that lasted many years. I read every Victoria Holt book I could find, and this remained the best.
- The Kent Family Chronicles - John Jakes - This 8-volume set provided a great lesson in American history. I enjoyed traveling with the Kent family throughout the country from the Revolutionary War through the Civil War.
- Brotherhood of War series (first 6 of 8 volumes) - W.E.B. Griffin - I learned a lot about Army history and society while following the adventures of these fictional soldiers.
- The Sense of Honor - James Webb - When I found this paperback, I was surprised to learn the former secretary of my Navy was a writer. And what a writer!
- Winds of War and War and Remembrance - Herman Wouk - It took me almost a year to read this three-volume set during my military travels. I felt like I'd lost a friend when I finished, and could no longer take Pug Henry's family along on trips.
- With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa - E.B. Sledge - I discovered this wonderful book in the Classics of Naval Literature series published by the Naval Institute Press in 1996. Combining the combat perspective of a PFC in the Marine Corps with the writing talent of his later years makes this book possibly the best ever written by an enlisted man fighting a war. It filled me with admiration and awe.
Rick Bylina said "Ask me on another day, in another mood, in another setting, the list might be somewhat different, but these books will never be far from the top."
- IRONWEED. Incredibly strong first chapter that left me wondering where do we go from here. I like stories of redemption and forgiveness. That's why "Shawshank Redemption" is in my movie top ten.
- ATONEMENT. Subtle of language caught me, and I missed the twist and just had to read it again to see why and how I can do it in my stories.
- EMPIRE FALLS. The seamless weaving of numerous subplots to end up at the end right where the author wanted you to be.
- MADAME BOVARY. Brilliant character portrayal the nuances of her descent. (And I love Tim Allen's analysis on "Home Improvement" about who was the hero in the story.)
- SONS AND LOVERS. I was held to the last line of the story about the character's fate and whether he does or doesn't get on with his life. How do I do that in my stories? How do I get a reader to follow me along for hundreds of pages of character building subtleties.
- GONE WITH THE WIND. Epic portrayal of one woman's will to "survive" on her terms at all costs, including a probable decent into madness.
- THE POISONWOOD BIBLE. The odd setting, time, place, characters, and the POVs from everyone except the man character being portrayed.
- TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. Count me as one of those who truly believes Truman Capote really wrote this. It is masterful in its portrayal of a man of conscious through the eyes of his daughter, showing the ugly nature of prejudice, and its unrelenting hold on people even when they know the truth. Besides, it had Robert Duvall as Boo.
- THE CATCHER IN THE RYE(read it at 17, 27, and 46 ... still resonates). Dated? Perhaps, but it still shows the outright manic thrust of a rebel without a clue. I wish to capture that frenetic energy, but as I age, I capture snoring old men waiting for their AARP magazines, teeth snoozing in wide mouth cups next to lazy boys with ejection seats because the fatted bellies don't allow the center of gravity to rise out of the seats when Matlock or reruns of Mayberry come on in the room with a big screen TV watched through eyes needing trifocals thick as coke bottles and hearing aids turned up high with the television sound loud enough to make airport managers complain about the noise interfering with pilots checking their engines.
Celestine Stoltenberg, IWW Member, from Phoenix, Arizona also made a comprehensive post.
- 1. First off, I'll put the Bible on my list. I have read it from cover to cover more than once. I love the various people I read about, they are much more real and varied than in most Bible movies you see. I find the themes of love, redemption, faith and forgiveness both encouraging and challenging. The poetic parts (mostly Psalms) are often both raw and lyrical at the same time. I would love to write poetry like that. Within the Bible, my favorite stories are Deborah (from the book of Judges). Oh, the irony. The book of Ruth: one of my favorite love stories. The books of Samuel: the story of David's rise to kingship and his struggles throughout his life is varied and compelling. Keeps me turning pages. And the gospel of John. It was the first gospel I read, at the recommendation of a friend, so there is some sentimentality in that, but he includes some stories and details that I miss in the other books.
- 2 & 3. The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien and Watership Down by Richard Adams. I am lumping these together not because they are similar, per se, but because I enjoy them for largely the same reasons. The stories are compelling, rich in detail and exciting to read. The characters are varied and textured. I get very frustrated when I hear people say that the characters in LOTR are flat. What books were they reading? These characters struggle with indecision, doubt, insecurity, and fear, and all while pursuing seemingly impossible dreams. The writing is beautiful. Whenever I read these stories I see the details so clearly I feel like I am there. No movie will ever meet my expectations of these stories. These are books I read when I was young and decided then to read over and over. I've read each of these at least half a dozen times and every time I read them again I love them. I am also very impressed with how the authors create complete societies with their own mythology, history, cultures, etc.
- 4. The short stories of George R. R. Martin. Again, these stories are compelling, thought provoking, and stirring. When reading his stories I have gone through the full gamut of emotions: pity, disgust, anger, sadness and laughter (OK, I know that's not technically an emotion). And throughout the reading I am filled with a sense of awe at what this author can do. He's amazing. I want to be like him when I grow up (except a woman).
- 5. Wow. I'm not sure what to put in this spot because my books are all giving me these big puppy-dog eyes and saying "pick me, please." I have read all of Jane Austen's work ... and love it. Barbara Kingsolver -- amazing writer. Some of Amy Tan's work is breathtaking (some of it is just average). I've read To Kill a Mockingbird, Madame Bovary, and The Catcher in the Rye. They all hold special places in my heart. I agree with the person who mentioned The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. I love Gene Wolfe and Ursula K. LeGuin. Charles Dickens & Tolstoy. J.K. Rowling & Douglas Adams.
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