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Diogenes Jan 2017 1:27pm, 9 Jan 2017 19,847 posts	0 Diogenes I went in '86 when I was at Bradford. It was a ruined village, full off tat and tourists.
Columba Jan 2017 3:54pm, 9 Jan 2017 12,137 posts	0 Columba I have read books by all the authors Daz mentions except Hesse, Mailer and Du Maurier. And was lucky enough not to see any adaptations of Dickens until after I'd read the books (and have in any case seen very few adaptations of Dickens). Greg, LindsD and Owlie - try him, try him! (Dickens). I wonder which ones there have not been adaptations of? How about The Pickwick Papers? Becoming less and less sure about Nod as I go along. However, it has time to redeem itself.
Sharkie Jan 2017 4:05pm, 9 Jan 2017 10,786 posts	0 Sharkie I think I remember a Sunday teatime Pickwick Papers in the 60s, Columba - and I agree with you - find the right Dickens and he's great. For me it was Bleak House. But Great Expectations and David Copperfield are good starting points wouldn't you agree? I love Jane Austen. Take away any prejudice (ahem ahem) you might have about it being early19th century chick lit/romantic tosh and just think about the novels as being about people and families. I have NEVER read a better description of a car bore than John Thorpe in Northanger Abbey going on about his horses and carriage. He is pure petrol head tosser. For instance.
LindsD Jan 2017 4:07pm, 9 Jan 2017 14,519 posts	0 LindsD Can you recommend one, Columba? And in return I would encourage you to read Du Maurier. Rebecca is fab but I think I liked most of hers.
LindsD Jan 2017 4:08pm, 9 Jan 2017 14,520 posts	0 LindsD X post Same qu to Sharkie. Also pls recommend a JA
GregP Jan 2017 4:09pm, 9 Jan 2017 89,011 posts	0 GregP I read something earlier suggesting Pickwick Papers. I shall do that thing at some point this year. Hold me to it. I became less sure of Nod about a third of the way through...
Sharkie Jan 2017 4:11pm, 9 Jan 2017 10,787 posts	0 Sharkie Same here re the authors Daz mentions - for me the gaps are Thomas Mann and Conrad. I love Daphne D. If you don't fancy Rebecca or feel you know it too well from the Hitchcock film then try 'My Cousin Rachel' (wouldn't you agree Linds?) it is very dark and totally gripping. It is no coincidence that so much of Du Mauriers's work has made excellent cinema.
Sharkie Jan 2017 4:15pm, 9 Jan 2017 10,788 posts	0 Sharkie There are so few Jane Austens and they're all good even the much maligned Mansfield Park (much maligned on account of its seemingly wet and prissy heroine). I would start with P&P and just think about it being a novel about teenage sisters in a big family. It doesn't really matter if you think you know the plot. I STILL find Jane Austen really funny - and that's after many re-readings.
Diogenes Jan 2017 5:16pm, 9 Jan 2017 19,851 posts	0 Diogenes I have read half of Nod today. I am feeling fairly neutral about it.
DazTheSlug Jan 2017 5:33pm, 9 Jan 2017 1,780 posts	0 DazTheSlug re Jane Austen - I loved P&P but "Emma" not so much, so having a year off JA re Dickens - Bleak House I enjoyed, David Copperfield less so, again having year off oh and last time I was in Howarth was for Howarth Hobble (32M ultra) aka "Wuthering Hike"!