One book only for 6 week trip

Six of One · 07-10-2009, 18:31

I am going off to Africa for six weeks, I'm not going to have access to any books whatsoever. I read quite fast and will have plenty of time. I can only really bring one book, so I need something that will last me! I'm looking for a big long fiction book that is also a good read and will entertain me. I really wish I hadn't already read Shantaram! If anyone could suggest something that they think might suit that would be great. A friend suggested Moby Dick, any opinions?

Ho-Hum · 07-10-2009, 19:23

The Border Trilogy by Cormac McCarthy. It's a very big book and damn well entertaining.

Plowman · 07-10-2009, 20:05

How about 2666 by Roberto Bolano? It's enormous and it has received some very good reviews. I plan to read it (eventually).

Meeja Ireland · 07-10-2009, 20:17

Your friend is onto something with Moby-Dick. I'd also suggest Don Quixote. It's boring in spots, admittedly, but it's one of the world's great books, and you'll be glad you've read it.

Have you looked at any of those cheapo Collected Novels? I think you can get all of Jane Austen in one chunky volume, and you'd be hard pushed to do better than that. It also gives you the appeal of starting a whole new book every week or so.

It might also be a good time to crack Ulysses, or Gravity's Rainbow, or the Complete Shakespeare....

randomguy · 07-10-2009, 21:04

You'd need something a bit lighter than some of the above recommendations, if you are thinking along the lines of Shantaram. If so, avoid Moby Dick, Gravity's Rainbow and Don Quixote.

How about Lonesome Dove, by Larry McMurtry? Brilliant book, read it while travelling, loved it, passed it on to my then girlfriend, she loved it, and both of us agreed it was the perfect travel book. Epic, but really easy to read and really funny. Don't be put off by the fact that it's a Western - it won the Pulitzer in its day and is seriously smarter than you'd expect.

Other suggestions - if you want something modern and literary, how about Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace?

Something longish and Africanish? The Poisonwood Diary by Barbara Kingsolver. (The Famished Road by Ben Okri is another idea, but maybe a bad one since it just seems long rather than being long.)

randomguy · 07-10-2009, 21:05

Another one - Almost as good as Lonesome Dove - A Suitable Boy.

randomguy · 07-10-2009, 21:09

Also thinking Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson.
Or War and Peace, if you skip the "philosophy of history" crap between each section.

Hermy · 07-10-2009, 23:47

John Updikes four books in the Rabbit series are available in one volume.

EDIT: Another link.

rockmongrel · 07-10-2009, 23:56

You can get the entire George Orwell collection for 30 quid, all of his published novels. Fantastic stuff.

sternbutfair · 08-10-2009, 00:00

War and Peace

buck65 · 08-10-2009, 07:24

Second for "A Suitable Boy".
Am reading 2666 at the moment - quite good.

biZrb · 10-10-2009, 09:36

The Count of Monte Cristo - its long but a great story that keeps you interested all the way through

Sephiroth_dude · 10-10-2009, 12:46

"The Redemption of Althalus" By David and Leigh Eddings is a very good fantasy book,its over a 1000 to I think if I remember correctly,dunno would it last you 6 wks though especially if you read fast.

JesseCuster · 11-10-2009, 19:37

First post - felt compelled to recommend some favourites!

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell (Susanna Clarke) - An amazing novel which centres on two magicians in 19th century Britain. You don't have to be a big fan of the fantasy genre to enjoy this, it is like a Dickens story at times. One of my all time favourites.

His Dark Materials Trilogy (Phillip Pullman) - More magic. This is an epic coming-of-age tale of two children, Lyra and Will, set in alternate universes. Recently voted third best book of all time in the BBC Big Read poll. Makes Harry Potter look like Sesame Street!

The Stand (Stephen King) - Apocalyptic tale of good and evil from the master storyteller. Would also recommend It, you will never see clowns in the same light again.

Homicide (David Simon) - Non-fiction. A reporter spends a year shadowing the Baltimore Homicide department. It will make your jaw drop in shock one minute and have you cry laughing the next. If you like The Wire you'll love this.

All are doorstop-sized books that I wished would never end

randomguy · 11-10-2009, 20:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by JesseCuster

First post - felt compelled to recommend some favourites!

Homicide (David Simon) - Non-fiction. A reporter spends a year shadowing the Baltimore Homicide department. It will make your jaw drop in shock one minute and have you cry laughing the next. If you like The Wire you'll love this.

Good recommendation - read this on holiday and really enjoyed it - don't be put off by the crime or true story labels. Really well written too.

But I thought Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell was complete crap. I couldn't see the point of it at all.

There are more ideas here in an earlier thread for long books for travelling...
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showt...p?t=2055232237

07-10-2009, 18:31	#1
Six of One Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 88 Adverts \| Friends	One book only for 6 week trip I am going off to Africa for six weeks, I'm not going to have access to any books whatsoever. I read quite fast and will have plenty of time. I can only really bring one book, so I need something that will last me! I'm looking for a big long fiction book that is also a good read and will entertain me. I really wish I hadn't already read Shantaram! If anyone could suggest something that they think might suit that would be great. A friend suggested Moby Dick, any opinions?

07-10-2009, 19:23	#2
Ho-Hum Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Wicklow Town Posts: 306 Adverts \| Friends	The Border Trilogy by Cormac McCarthy. It's a very big book and damn well entertaining. __________________ Happy Festivus

07-10-2009, 20:17	#4
Meeja Ireland Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 704 Adverts \| Friends	Your friend is onto something with Moby-Dick. I'd also suggest Don Quixote. It's boring in spots, admittedly, but it's one of the world's great books, and you'll be glad you've read it. Have you looked at any of those cheapo Collected Novels? I think you can get all of Jane Austen in one chunky volume, and you'd be hard pushed to do better than that. It also gives you the appeal of starting a whole new book every week or so. It might also be a good time to crack Ulysses, or Gravity's Rainbow, or the Complete Shakespeare.... __________________ Oh, a defunct blog. How sad.

07-10-2009, 23:47	#8
Hermy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sector 7G Posts: 1,603 Adverts \| Friends	John Updikes four books in the Rabbit series are available in one volume. EDIT: Another link. __________________ Last edited by Hermy; 07-10-2009 at 23:57.

10-10-2009, 12:46	#13
Sephiroth_dude Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: cork Posts: 4,022 Adverts \| Friends	"The Redemption of Althalus" By David and Leigh Eddings is a very good fantasy book,its over a 1000 to I think if I remember correctly,dunno would it last you 6 wks though especially if you read fast. __________________ Welcome to zone stalker.

07-10-2009, 20:05	#3
Plowman Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 317 Adverts \| Friends	How about 2666 by Roberto Bolano? It's enormous and it has received some very good reviews. I plan to read it (eventually).

07-10-2009, 21:04	#5
randomguy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 180 Adverts \| Friends	You'd need something a bit lighter than some of the above recommendations, if you are thinking along the lines of Shantaram. If so, avoid Moby Dick, Gravity's Rainbow and Don Quixote. How about Lonesome Dove, by Larry McMurtry? Brilliant book, read it while travelling, loved it, passed it on to my then girlfriend, she loved it, and both of us agreed it was the perfect travel book. Epic, but really easy to read and really funny. Don't be put off by the fact that it's a Western - it won the Pulitzer in its day and is seriously smarter than you'd expect. Other suggestions - if you want something modern and literary, how about Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace? Something longish and Africanish? The Poisonwood Diary by Barbara Kingsolver. (The Famished Road by Ben Okri is another idea, but maybe a bad one since it just seems long rather than being long.)

07-10-2009, 21:05	#6
randomguy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 180 Adverts \| Friends	Another one - Almost as good as Lonesome Dove - A Suitable Boy.

07-10-2009, 21:09	#7
randomguy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 180 Adverts \| Friends	Also thinking Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson. Or War and Peace, if you skip the "philosophy of history" crap between each section.

07-10-2009, 23:56	#9
rockmongrel Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 218 Adverts \| Friends	You can get the entire George Orwell collection for 30 quid, all of his published novels. Fantastic stuff.

08-10-2009, 00:00	#10
sternbutfair Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 311 Adverts \| Friends	War and Peace

08-10-2009, 07:24	#11
buck65 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,067 Adverts \| Friends	Second for "A Suitable Boy". Am reading 2666 at the moment - quite good.

10-10-2009, 09:36	#12
biZrb Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 306 Adverts \| Friends	The Count of Monte Cristo - its long but a great story that keeps you interested all the way through

11-10-2009, 19:37	#14
JesseCuster Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Where the beer flows like wine... Posts: 30 Adverts \| Friends	First post - felt compelled to recommend some favourites! Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell (Susanna Clarke) - An amazing novel which centres on two magicians in 19th century Britain. You don't have to be a big fan of the fantasy genre to enjoy this, it is like a Dickens story at times. One of my all time favourites. His Dark Materials Trilogy (Phillip Pullman) - More magic. This is an epic coming-of-age tale of two children, Lyra and Will, set in alternate universes. Recently voted third best book of all time in the BBC Big Read poll. Makes Harry Potter look like Sesame Street! The Stand (Stephen King) - Apocalyptic tale of good and evil from the master storyteller. Would also recommend It, you will never see clowns in the same light again. Homicide (David Simon) - Non-fiction. A reporter spends a year shadowing the Baltimore Homicide department. It will make your jaw drop in shock one minute and have you cry laughing the next. If you like The Wire you'll love this. All are doorstop-sized books that I wished would never end

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