Epic Victorian literature

[toblerone3]

As far as potentially pretentious 19th century French literature the ultimate has to be A le Recherce De Temps Perdu by Proust. Always wanted to read it but its massive three huge volumes.

I wonder is it worth reading. Was supposed to be quite experimental for its time. Was it stream of conciousness before its time?

Actually just checked its seven volumes and was written between 1909 and 1922 so it doesn't count. Its not stream of conciousness its "involuntary memory" apparently

 

[Orang Utan]

middlemarch!

 

[Belushi]

The only 19th Century writers I like are Conan Doyle and Kipling, both of whom are fantastic.

 

[the button]

The only 19th Century writers I like are Conan Doyle and Kipling, both of whom are fantastic.

Both great, no doubt. I tend to think of Kipling as a poet and short story writer, though (in fact your post jogged my memory into posting "Baa baa black sheep" on the short story recommendations thread). What's his best novel, do you think?

(For me, Conan Doyle's best is "The sign of four").

 

[Pickman's model]

why no mention of gissing's 'the nether world' perhaps the world's most depressing novel

 

[toblerone3]

middlemarch!

Is it any good?

 

[temper_tantrum]

Middlemarch should obviously have been on my list - thanks for that suggestion.

Specific suggestions welcome for Kipling and Conan Doyle, but can I express slight scepticism about the latter? I think I read some as a child and was somewhat dubious.

 

[temper_tantrum]

why no mention of gissing's 'the nether world' perhaps the world's most depressing novel

Is it more depressing than 'Jude the Obscure'? This I have to see ...

 

[Pickman's model]

Is it more depressing than 'Jude the Obscure'? This I have to see ...

yes

 

[temper_tantrum]

Ouch. Not sure I could bear it, to be honest. Is it at least self-aware? The reason I like Dickens is because he can handle some incredibly painful material yet always manages a sense of balance - the sublime and the ridiculous I suppose. He can stand back from situations. Hardy is just so, well, depressing. A constant grind of misery, up close.

 

[Pickman's model]

No-one's mentioned any 19th century French literature. How about The Count of Monte Christo by Alexandre Dumas. I remember really enjoying it years ago. It has to be the ultimate novel about revenge. I also enjoyed Wilkie Collins The Moonstone and that was my first though as well when I saw this thread.

Its epic both in terms of quality and pagination.

either this is about victorian literature, ie english literature of the period 1837-1901, or it is about nineteenth century literature. which is it?

 

[temper_tantrum]

Can it be about both?

Edit: PS. I am really enjoying this thread, thanks so much for pitching in with suggestions everyone.

 

[Belushi]

Both great, no doubt. I tend to think of Kipling as a poet and short story writer, though (in fact your post jogged my memory into posting "Baa baa black sheep" on the short story recommendations thread). What's his best novel, do you think?

(For me, Conan Doyle's best is "The sign of four").

Yeah, I'm pissed and just wanted to comment so ignored the epic novel bit!

For me, Kim is Kiplings best story though Im also remember loving Stalky and Co as well, and yes its in his short stories and poems that he really shines.

For Conan Doyle, much as I love Sherlock Holmes I'd probably plump for Micah Clarke as my favourite novel.

 

[temper_tantrum]

Well the end of the TV version of 'The Forsyte Saga' was a travesty so I'm really glad I finished the books first!

Spoiler

As IF Irene would even let Soames touch her, let alone express regret. Phur-lease.

 

[teamB_macro]

Yey for Dickens! Joseph Conrad too for Nostromo, Secret Agent and Under Western Eyes

 

[vauxhallmum]

I love Victorian Themed stuff as well. I would add

This Thing of Darkness - Harry Thompson
The Great Stink - Clare Clark
The Seance - John Harwood

 

[vauxhallmum]

That Harry Thompson book poss not Victorian themed but earlier, now I come to think of it.

 

[Cloo]

How about epic poem-novels? Robert Browning's 'The Ring and the Book' rocks.

Byron's 'Don Juan' isn't bad either.

 

[Sue]

Actually just checked its seven volumes and was written between 1909 and 1922 so it doesn't count. Its not stream of conciousness its "involuntary memory" apparently

It's really bloody boring is what it is. All those hours of my life I'll never get back again.

 

[Sue]

What about a bit of Zola?

 

[Sue]

Or Tolstoy? Or Victor Hugo's quite epic if you like that sort of thing.

 

[Andrew Hertford]

Try the little known William Harrison Ainsworth's novels which spanned much of the Victorian era. Epic historical sagas with fairly ridiculous plots, but written with both vigour and passion! 'Old St.Pauls' for example is set during the plague and great fire of London. Weird and evocative.

Also about London, Richard Jefferies' 'After London'. Victorian post apocalyptic fiction at it's best!

 

[vauxhallmum]

'Old St.Pauls' for example is set during the plague and great fire of London. Weird and evocative.

!

Ah well, if you are doing that, I just read Forever Amber by Kathleen Winsor. It's a mad load of 17th Century epic but fun silliness written in the 50's. Loved it

 

[Sue]

Ah well, if you are doing that, I just read Forever Amber by Kathleen Winsor. It's a mad load of 17th Century epic but fun silliness written in the 50's. Loved it

And was considered very racey in its day... (It's not really though.)

 

[Orang Utan]

ballsack is good - pere goriot is nice and short

 

[Sue]

ballsack is good - pere goriot is nice and short

Erm..Balzac? Agreed.

 

[Orang Utan]

aye, ballsack

 

[temper_tantrum]

I've just had the slightly icky realisation that Soames Forsyte really reminds me of Gordon Brown. Or should that be the other way round? Either way, it is a bit disturbing.


Edit: Thanks for the contributions by the way everyone. I'm going to read 'North & South' next, then 'Phineas Redux', then I'll be guided by your recommendations as to what to try next.

 

[temper_tantrum]

Just finished 'North & South' - loved it! First third or so was a bit neutral but it really grew on me. Ended up staying up very late last night because I didn't want to put it down before the end. It'd definitely work as a modern rom-com though I'd have to massacre any TV types who tried to adapt it.

The only other book on this thread which I've got already is 'Phineas Redux' but I'm not feeling in the mood for it. It doesn't seem to follow on very well from Gaskell. I might do a little shop for some of the other recommendations instead.

 

[Santino]

Just finished 'North & South' - loved it! First third or so was a bit neutral but it really grew on me. Ended up staying up very late last night because I didn't want to put it down before the end. It'd definitely work as a modern rom-com though I'd have to massacre any TV types who tried to adapt it.