Monday, January 21, 2013

3 for Insight on People


I was recently asked which three novels I'd recommend if someone wanted to learn about people. That was an easy question. Many writers can craft great plots and characters but only a few reveal a profound knowledge of people; the sort that causes you to put the book down and think. My recommendations are:

  1. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
  2. Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray
  3. The Edge of Sadness by Edwin O'Connor [featured in a recent post]
Any others?

2 Comments:

At 2:00 PM, Anonymous CincyCat said...

Louisa May Alcott's interpretation of people. Especially in works like "Eight Cousins".

"It is apt to be so, and it is hard to bear; for, though we do not want trumpets blown, we do like to have our little virtues appreciated, and cannot help feeling disappointed if they are not."

"[F]or in this queer world of ours, fatherly and motherly hearts often beat warm and wise in the breasts of bachelor uncles and maiden aunts; and it is my private opinion that these worthy creatures are a beautiful provision of nature for the cherishing of other people's children. They certainly get great comfort out of it, and receive much innocent affection that otherwise would be lost."

 
At 7:02 PM, Blogger Michael Wade said...

CincyCat,

I've never read any of her work. I'll check it out.

Thanks!

Michael

 

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