Alessandro Manzoni’s writing is beautiful, deep and at times wittily modern - and in his telling of la ‘peste’ in 17th century Milano so insightful for what we witnessed with COVID…A beautiful writer but I am biased as I am from Como.
I am into the second part of the Ingenious Knight Don Quixote of La Mancha, and could very well agree with Dostoevsky about It being the greatest utterance of the human mind. Nothing at all as I expected; consuming, contemporary, and a total delight. Thinking that it was published in 1605, is breathtaking.
Though I've not read the entire book "Don Quixote" is a great read and very, very funny. A literature major once told me that "Don Quixote" is the foundation/model for the modern novel....
I still remember how much I enjoyed reading Augustine's Confessions, and I've been meaning to read Rabelais for such a long time, so maybe this is my sign to get started! Thank you for sharing this list.
Excellent list, thank you.!!
We are glad you like it, Alex!
Brilliant! I’ve got a few on my shelf already. Now I’ve got the impetus to dust them off and read them. Thank you!
You are welcome, Sean! Don’t forget to join our discussion on Don Quixote…
Alessandro Manzoni’s writing is beautiful, deep and at times wittily modern - and in his telling of la ‘peste’ in 17th century Milano so insightful for what we witnessed with COVID…A beautiful writer but I am biased as I am from Como.
Well said, Francesca!
This is very helpful! I hadn't heard of Gargantua but having just finished Gulliver's Travels I wondered if perhaps Gargantua inspired it. And it did!
Some surprises here—good post!
I am into the second part of the Ingenious Knight Don Quixote of La Mancha, and could very well agree with Dostoevsky about It being the greatest utterance of the human mind. Nothing at all as I expected; consuming, contemporary, and a total delight. Thinking that it was published in 1605, is breathtaking.
Though I've not read the entire book "Don Quixote" is a great read and very, very funny. A literature major once told me that "Don Quixote" is the foundation/model for the modern novel....
Well, I read SOME of Don Quixote, anyway. Do I get partial credit?
Don Quixote is a book any reader should read. It is beautiful, funny, and tragic.
I still remember how much I enjoyed reading Augustine's Confessions, and I've been meaning to read Rabelais for such a long time, so maybe this is my sign to get started! Thank you for sharing this list.
Love that you put The Betrothed on here. Great novel.
wonderful list! i’d only quibble with don quixote, which i think is still pretty well-known. what about musil’s man without qualities?
Great list and very persuasive. Thanks!
I was planning to finally read the Odyssey as my first Greek classic, but now I might opt for the more edgy Bacchae instead:)
You are very persuasive 😏. I’m adding some of these works to my list. Thanks!
Good list; agree especially on The Betrothed