Vikram Seth: A Suitable Boy by Carmel Riley
My desert island book would have to be A Suitable Boy. From the pistachio ice cream in the opening chapter to the orange peel on the train in the final chapter it was a book that had me hooked in Lata's loves and shoes and Indian politics - not subjects I usually find interesting. Seth has the capacity to make whatever he writes seem real and so real that you can live in the book - you want to curl up in the book and the joy is that it is so long. You can curl up for an eternity.
The Female Man by Joanna Truss : Carmel Jones
Wow, tough question! I'll choose, The Female Man by Joanna Russ. An
exciting, subversive and very witty Feminist Sci-fi novel. It had a massive
impact on me when I first read it, and still continues to influence my
outlook on life. Through a plurality of narrative voices, each one existing
in a different time/space, Russ explores the fragmentary existence which
patriarchal society enforces on female identity. Also, it triggered my
recognition that; being female is NOT the same as being feminine!
Must also include, Tales Of Mystery and Imagination by Edgar Allan
Poe. Like a favourite pair of slippers or a comfort blanket, this is the
book which comes on holiday with me every time - just as 'emergency
back-up!' Its delightful sense of 'the uncanny' and just its sheer
Gothic-ness never lets me down!
Dickens Great Expectations: Carol Berry
I love the book because of the great richness of characters. The characters live! There is melodrama but it's great melodrama! AND you love them apart from Estella!
Daphne Du Maurier Rebecca: Kim
I remember first reading Rebecca on a Sunday morning, only intending to read the first couple of chapters before beginning some 'work'. But the opening lines, 'last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again' immediately drew me into the narrator's world and I was completely unable to put the book down again until the following morning! ...And that pivotal twist I think is one of the best in English lit! I haven't read anything so captivating since!
Catherine Corri: Toni Morrison's Beloved
My favourite book is Beloved - nothing captures my eyes and senses quite like it - its language is raw and its poetry and depth of thought unremittingly sits smiling and crying on the edge of cultures far and wide.
Fiona Salt: Anne Of Green Gables
She was an optimist, but a vulnerable one "tomorrow is fresh ..with no mistakes on it." She was so spirited - I really wanted to be Anne (spelled with an 'e') I loved the way she was obsessed with beauty and tragedy - her obsession with 'The lady of Shallot' that resulted in being rescued half drowned by Gilbert (swoon!) Loved it!! Think I need to read it again.
Karen Bromelow: Winter's Tale by Mark Helprin
Favourite book: Mark Helprin's "Winter's Tale". I first picked up this book in the 80s, read it cover-to-cover, and wept at the ending. Gorgeous descriptive writing, vivid characters, and a beautiful story of love and loss and the belief that the human spirit and imagination can conquer all. Exquisite.
Janet Lewison Ondaatje's English Patient and Morrison's Beloved.
Although I always say Morrison is the BEST ...I adore The English Patient and it has that 'tingle factor' of recognition that only visionary Artists are able to 'gift' us.
'If he could walk across the room and touch her he would be sane.' ( English Patient)
'A fully Dressed woman walked out of the water.' ( Beloved)
Both have a lyrical even biblical intensity which renders knowledge absolute, even miraculous! Personal Confirmation has become transcendent Communion. Enabling and elevating poetry?
Tracy Beaker by Clara
She's funny and bossy and I want to be like her!
And she's cool!
