Examples of quality writing?

[da dick]

Fiasco by Stanislav Lem
slow buildup, major mind/twist in the end.

The Hidden Blade directed by Yoji Yamada
nice blend of humour, tragedy , historic insight and ing swordfighting yeah.

 

[GoodGame]

Catch-22 (the book) did keep me in the stitches the whole time I read it.

 

[Zelig]

I recommend reading all of my posts.

They don't start out great, but by a couple years ago, they become incredibly well written.

A few of them aren't fiction, but you won't be able to tell.

 

[Flying Pig]

The Great Gatsby contains some of what is, in my opinion, the best prose writing in English.

 

[Dell19]

In terms of plot, you'll not find it wanting in George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire.

The fourth book could have benefited from being edited by someone... I have the fifth book but can't be bothered to read it after how bad the fourth book was.

 

[cardgame]

Do you mean editions, Dell?

I have this one

 

[rugbyLEAGUEfan]

IIRC the actual novel is broken up into "books", like big chapters with little chapters within each. The novel takes on a darker, more serious tone in the last two "books"

 

[Ailedhoo]

I would suggest also Monty Python for examples of great quality comedy sketches.

 

[Dell19]

Do you mean editions, Dell?

I have this one

Sorry managed to quote the wrong post that was meant to be responding to the GoT post. I actually like Catch 22.

 

[rugbyLEAGUEfan]

IIRC the actual novel is broken up into "books", like big chapters with little chapters within each. The novel takes on a darker, more serious tone in the last two "books"

Sorry managed to quote the wrong post that was meant to be responding to the GoT post. I actually like Catch 22.

Then I clearly do not RC

 

[Glassfan]

Then I clearly do not RC

I suspect a few of you convicts down under can put pen to word processor. Why don't you suggest an Aussie writer we can check out?

 

[rugbyLEAGUEfan]

I suspect a few of you convicts down under can put pen to word processor. Why don't you suggest an Aussie writer we can check out?

I actually don't like Australian writing at all. It all seems to be about the "vastness of the continent" and ones inability to find oneself in the midst of it blah blah blah.

The Ozploitation films of the 70's and 80's I like though.

 

[Antilogic]

Tommy Wiseau's epic cinematic masterpiece, The Room.

 

[Traitorfish]

I suspect a few of you convicts down under can put pen to word processor. Why don't you suggest an Aussie writer we can check out?

I actually don't like Australian writing at all. It all seems to be about the "vastness of the continent" and ones inability to find oneself in the midst of it blah blah blah.

Peter Carey? I've only read one of his books, but I understand his other stuff is quite well thought of.

 

[Valka D'Ur]

Dune by Frank Herbert is another one, although I felt the plot in the first sequel was too contrived to enjoy. I enjoy Dune as an amazing one-shot that is something like the highest-rated sci fi novel of all time.

Yep. Dune can be read as a standalone novel, and in my opinion (and many others') it is THE best science fiction novel ever written.

For older stuff - Shakespeare, of course. Yes, you can enjoy reading them, although I recommend doing so out loud (you might want to do this when you're alone).

My favorite historical series is the Marcus Didius Falco murder mystery novels by Lindsey Davis. It's gritty and absolutely hilarious, all at the same time, with a cast of characters like no other Roman historical series (takes place during the reign of Vespasian). Lindsey Davis does a great deal of research, and she's visited as many archaeological sites as possible, to make her stories as authentic as possible.

 

[rugbyLEAGUEfan]

Peter Carey? I've only read one of his books, but I understand his other stuff is quite well thought of.

'tis. Don't like it myself......which could well mean it's excellent.

Since Valka has brought up the most excellent Dune which I certainly second as a suggestion, I'll throw in "The Mote in God's Eye" as another fine read. One of the great sci-fi premises.

 

[Glassfan]

Dune by Frank Herbert is... an amazing one-shot that is something like the highest-rated sci fi novel of all time...

Yep. Dune can be read as a standalone novel, and in my opinion (and many others') it is THE best science fiction novel ever written...

Much agreement. Dune is certainly one of the best SciFi novels - as long as one is extremely careful not to read any of the prequel/sequels.

 

[Flying Pig]

For older stuff - Shakespeare, of course. Yes, you can enjoy reading them, although I recommend doing so out loud (you might want to do this when you're alone).

This definitely holds for Ulysses - some of the more convoluted passages only really make sense when read aloud at a decent speed, because they're supposed to be conveying a stream of consciousness. In fact, I recommend reading aloud any part of any book where you don't immediately understand what it means.

 

[mayor]

I recommend reading all of my posts.

They don't start out great, but by a couple years ago, they become incredibly well written.

A few of them aren't fiction, but you won't be able to tell.

But one has to wonder how strong of a plot it has

 

[Winner]

Much agreement. Dune is certainly one of the best SciFi novels - as long as one is extremely careful not to read any of the prequel/sequels.

Do not overrate it too much. I like it, but it's certainly not the best *science* fiction novel ever written.