Hemingway can be a little dry, yes, we can take that for a matter or course or taste, but his stories are usually engaging enough to merit a good read. My problem with the man has to do with the fact that I have absolutely no interest in matadors. Of the great authors of the last century, Hemingway is one of the only ones devoid of a place on my book shelf, I just couldn't squeeze him in between my extensive collection of Mark Twain and Steinbeck. Even Faulkner has a place (one) on my book shelf, and I really don't like him, which is odd coming from a Mark Twain scholar.
It is funny that the Divine Comedy was mentioned as it is the book that is sitting right next to my computer currently, and yes I have the version with the original italian text on one side and the translation on the other.
Chaucer is fun, don't diss Chaucer. He is a must read for anyone who takes higher literature seriously because he contributed so much towards the evolution of the tale and modern english.
Brett Easton Ellis is the worst author of the last fifty years who has had any success (I just had to throw this in, I loathe his work, really, really do. . .)
Perhaps this is coming from my love of Twain, but the Leather Stocking tales of James Fenimore Cooper are perhaps the most snooze worthy set of books I have ever encountered. That does not mean they aren't worth reading, I just can't get through them the way I devour every thing else. I even read Ellis's work quickly, but the reason for that was to make the pain as short lived as possible.
Check out James Fenimore Cooper's list of literary offenses by Twain sometime, it's good stuff. (There are actually two essays, but the second is a little harder to come by)
It is funny that the Divine Comedy was mentioned as it is the book that is sitting right next to my computer currently, and yes I have the version with the original italian text on one side and the translation on the other.
Chaucer is fun, don't diss Chaucer. He is a must read for anyone who takes higher literature seriously because he contributed so much towards the evolution of the tale and modern english.
Brett Easton Ellis is the worst author of the last fifty years who has had any success (I just had to throw this in, I loathe his work, really, really do. . .)
Perhaps this is coming from my love of Twain, but the Leather Stocking tales of James Fenimore Cooper are perhaps the most snooze worthy set of books I have ever encountered. That does not mean they aren't worth reading, I just can't get through them the way I devour every thing else. I even read Ellis's work quickly, but the reason for that was to make the pain as short lived as possible.
Check out James Fenimore Cooper's list of literary offenses by Twain sometime, it's good stuff. (There are actually two essays, but the second is a little harder to come by)
