Classics

[qos]

Which "classics" have you read that actually made a strong impression on you, and/or had a significant influence on you? Which do you keep in your library because you truly want to have them at your fingertips to read -- or at least dip into -- again and again?


ETA: Lists are great, folks -- but what I'm really interested in is why and/or how these books touched you in such an important way.

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Ulysses by James Joyce - Simply a facinating read.

Dhalgren by Samuel R. Delany - One of the most interesting science fiction books I have ever read. The main character is possibly schizophrenic, but you don't know. The book also deals with poly relationships and bisexuality. In addition, it breaks some literary conventions about plot structure and even the definition of a novel. It is the literary equivalent of a M.C. Escher print. Hands down the most difficult book I have ever read.

Gravity's Rainbow - One of the best novels ever written, also has a reputation as being difficult, but it is this very quality that makes it worth while.
"Nature does not know extinction; all it knows is transformation. Everything science has taught me, and continues to teach me, strengthens my belief in the continuity of our spiritual existence after death."

The Good Earth - Pearl S. Buck (Along with the other two in the trilogy) Nobel prizewinner and one of the books I read in highschool that stayed with me the strongest.

1984, Brave New World, Animal Farm - I like dystopian political fiction, these books are important to our culture and many of the stories that have been told since.

This is all that I can think of tonight.

[qos.livejournal.com]

You always end up surprising me....
Thanks for sharing these.

I read The Good Earth in junior high or high school. I seem to remember that the last line was to the effect of "O-Lan, you are the earth!" I did not, however, realize that it was part of a trilogy.

Also have read Animal Farm, but that too was a very long time ago.

I should put both Ulysses and Gravity's Rainbow on my To-Read list. I've never read Joyce, and I should.