Best Novel Ever Written

Self | June 25, 2002 | PJ-Comix

[PJ-Comix]

Okay, so far this evening we've had threads about the Worst War Movie Ever Made and about the Best War Movie Ever Made. Now I will ratchet up the discussions a notch with the BEST Novel Ever Written. Remember this is novel which means FICTION. I exclude science fiction from this category. In my opinion novel writing reached a peak in the late 40s and early 50s. Since then we've had some very good novels but not of the quality of that era.

So my nomination for the BEST novel ever written is an easy one: From Here To Eternity by James Jones. If you haven't read it, then READ IT. It is incredible beyond belief. In fact it was so good, that when Norman Mailer read it, he declared it to be better than his own The Naked And The Dead which is quite an admission for a novelist as egotistical as Norman Mailer to make.

One secret for the quality of From Here To Eternity (in addition to it's outstanding writing) is that James Jones based most of the characters on real people (including himself if you look closely). When I read From Here To Eternity I was stunned by the high quality of the writing. It was the only book I have ever read where I slowed down my reading rate because I didn't want to get to the end. I wanted it to go on and on.

Yes, the movie version was great (although the idea that soldiers would pay Donna Reed just for the privelege of chatting with her in private seemed ridiculous) but after you read the novel, it pales in comparison.

[PJ-Comix]

What are your nominations for Best Novel Ever Written? I just don't think any novel was better written than From Here To Eternity. That book affected me at many levels.

[Billy_bob_bob]

I don't know about a "best" novel. I would say that "Atlas Shrugged" was probably the more important book I ever read, and that "Clans of the Alphane Moon" by Philip K. Dick is without a doubt the most fun book I've ever read. Best book ever? That's a toughie.

[Snake65]

William Styron - Sophie's Choice.

Moved me more than any other book I've ever read.

[randita]

"Gone With the Wind"

[Lee308]

What are your nominations for Best Novel Ever Written? I just don't think any novel was better written than From Here To Eternity. That book affected me at many levels

The SACKETTS, by Louis Lamour or "the Hobbit". Can't decide which. Lee308

[Ditter]

I'm with you Billy, naming the best novel ever written is a toughie. I am not qualified to judge but I can tell you the book I enjoyed above all others, The Shipping News. I too read slowly & then re-read descriptions that were great. The movie is not to be confused with the book, it was lacking everything.

[mcjordansc]

My favorites:

Huckleberry Finn
An American Tragedy
On The Road

and a more recent entry -
Cold Mountain

[yooper]

It's hard to pick just one; however, I'd say that if multiple readings are an indicator, I've read Huckleberry Finn more times than I can recall, starting when I was a boy. To Kill a Mockingbird also comes to mind...

[PJ-Comix]

I don't know about a "best" novel. I would say that "Atlas Shrugged" was probably the more important book I ever read

Atlas Shrugged was an important book but the characters were completely unrealistic. They just didn't resemble real human beings. They all seem completely humorless. As a piece of LITERARY writing, it doesn't hold a candle to From Here To Eternity where the characters seemed exactly like real life people.

[PJ-Comix]

"Gone With the Wind"

I loved that book but From Here To Eternity seemed more real to me. Perhaps because the characters were more contemporary. However, I rate GWTW way up there.

[Sword_of_Gideon]

Ok, I'm going to show my former liberal colors here for a second in my choices for my favorite (I don't know if I'd go so far as to say best ever written, though)novel(s) of all time. Top 3 in no particular order were all read while in college in the 80's & I still enjoy them (read through all 3 of them again within the last couple of years):

1. Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger
2. On The Road - Jack Kerouac
3. Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas - Hunter S. Thompson

[yooper]

And at this juncture it is Huckleberry Finn first, with two solid votes!

[Skooz]

"Catch-22" and "1984."

[PJ-Comix]

The SACKETTS, by Louis Lamour or "the Hobbit".

I enjoy Louis Lamour books (I met Lamour once) and "The Hobbit" but PUHLEASE, as novels they just don't rank with the quality of writing found in From Here To Eternity. BTW, Jones' The Thin Red Line ranks as the best war novel ever (From Here To Eternity is more of a pre-war novel.)

[varina davis]

Hard to pick just one, so here are three of my top favorites, ones that live with me always:

Gone With the Wind -- Grapes of Wrath -- 1984

[PJ-Comix]

And at this juncture it is Huckleberry Finn first, with two solid votes!

Huckleberry Finn was a great novel...perhaps the best 19th Century novel but From Here To Eternity has an incredible depth. Did you ever read From Here To Eternity?

[Illbay]

I can NEVER answer "best of" questions. My tastes are too eclectic. Even if you were to narrow it down to "best _____ of the 70s/80s/90s, whatever" I can never do it. I can come up with a list, but it can never be in any particular order.

[Illbay]

Agreed. Rand might have been good at using melodrama to broadcast her political views, but her writing is schlock.

[goright]

Any Wallace Stegmer book is wonderful--have you read any of the English author "Delderfied" works? Loved War and Rememberance too.

[PJ-Comix]

I can NEVER answer "best of" questions.

What is the best political forum website? You can't answer that one?