Fiction Worth Reading
Lately I have been enjoying some excellent books. Putting aside some of the heavier theological material I have been consuming, I decided to spend some time reading fiction. Lukas McKnight recently posted on the importance of reading fiction, so I thought I would share a bit about some of the titles I have been digging into of late.
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri – This excellent novel tells the story of a young man born in America to Bengali parents, named for an obscure Russian novelist. Following the journey of this man and his family, the book powerfully draws the reader into the beauty, the challenges and the drama of one culture colliding with another. If you ever wonder it the challenges faced by immigrants entering into our Western culture, this book will open your eyes and heart in a very real way. Lahiri’s previous book, a collection of short stories called “Interpreter of Maladies”, won here the Pulitzer. (NOTE: There is a film made of “The Namesake”, but I recommend reading the book before seeing the film).
Gilead by Marilynn Robinson – While this book is another Pulitzer winner, I picked it up on the suggestion of Scot McKnight, who says he does not enjoy fiction that much. This warm and moving book is written as a letter to an elderly father to his very young son, retelling the story of his life. As the father is a pastor, his reflections on life are rich with spirituality, tempered with a wisdom earned through a long life. It was a restful, but engaging book that I gladly recommend.
The Road by Cormac McCarthy – When I saw this book on the shelf, the first thing that caught my eye was the “Oprah Book Club” sticker. Many might pass over the title on that alone, but not only do I respect Oprah’s literary choices, I also knew that this title had also won the Pulitzer. By far the darkest of the titles I am recommending, this story chronicles the journey of a father and son across the landscape of a desolate, post-apocalytic America. In world now void of order or governance, the powerfully written work is largely free of punctuation, proper names and chapter division, further emphasizing the loss of boundaries in the dying world. For all its darkness and despair, this book also presents a moving portrait of relentless hope driven by love. An excellent book.
The Novel by James Michener – This creative book introduces reader to the world of writing and publishing from the perspective of one of the most prolific historical novelist in America, the late James Michener. While by no means one of his best works, for anyone interested in the realities of the life of a novel, this book is a fascinating read. Broken into four parts- The Author, The Editor, The Critic and The Reader- Michener creates an enjoyable story through which the world of publishing comes alive. While the book was largely rejected by critics, any wannabe novelist would benefit from this decent novel.
What fiction can you recommend?
