Maugham, who calls himself a second-rate writer, is confident that he is a first-rate reader. Even for him, "Reading is a refuge to carry with you." ”
We've compiled his unreserved comments on 35 books from Maugham's book list, including Maugham's usual tongue and ridicule, such as saying that Walden frustrated him, never read Cervantes's short stories, balzac really has no taste... Of course, there is no shortage of highest praise such as "The Brothers Karamazov is definitely not to be missed".
This list includes the familiar "Remembrance of Watery Years", "War and Peace", "Pride and Prejudice", as well as the unpopular but classic "Manon Resgo" and "Gibbon's Autobiography"... If you've recently been out of books or don't know what to read, maybe this long list of books can give you inspiration.
This article is reproduced from "Phoenix Network Reading"
1. Walden
Author: [U.S.] Henry David Thoreau
Publisher: Yilin Publishing House
Translator: Nakazawa
Published: 2020-10
Readers with different literary tastes have different views of Walden. When I read this work, I felt neither bored nor happy. The whole book is written smoothly, not limited to form, and the language is relaxed and beautiful. However, if I had been trapped in the western prairies by heavy snow, and my only companion was a deaf man, and the only book in the cabin I was in was Walden, I would have been very frustrated. Usually people who can write this kind of work are often energetic, experienced, and at the same time have a different knowledge than ordinary people, but Thoreau was a lazy and shallow person, and the books he read, although they were all recognized works, were nothing special. The theme of experience is emphasized in his work, but he himself lacks an emotional power to make the reader realize its importance.
2. "Remembrance of The Age of Water"
Author: [French] Marcel Proust
Publisher: Yilin Publishing House
Translators: Li Hengji, Xu Yuanchong, Zhou Kexi, etc
Publication year: 2012-6
In our time, a novelist comparable to any master was born, and he was Marcel Proust. Of the many works I have introduced, only his novel has not diminished its charm after being translated into English. He only wrote the novel "Remembrance of the Water Age", but it was fifteen volumes long. I once commented that I would rather read Proust's work until I get bored than read other writers' books for fun. Most people can only treat his works rationally when they read them a second time. His language is somewhat tongue-in-cheek, the self-analysis in the book is annoying, and his repeated references to boring jealousy are unacceptable to the most enthusiastic readers of his work; however, the shining points of his work completely mask these flaws. He was a great writer, original, tactile, creative and insightful at the same time. I think that in the future people will definitely list him as a great humorist. Therefore, I suggest that the reader read this rich novel from the beginning, read the boring content, skip it, and then continue reading.
3. War and Peace
Author: [Russian] Lev Tolstoy
Publisher: People's Literature Publishing House
Translator: Liu Liaoyi
Publication year: 2015-4
I think the novel is a little tedious in a way, the whole book is full of detailed descriptions of the war, and Pierre's experience in Freemasonry is particularly boring. However, after ignoring all this, War and Peace is still a great novel, which depicts the growth and development of an entire generation in epic style. From Volga to Austerlitz, the book is set throughout Europe, with a series of characters with distinct personalities appearing one after another, and a large amount of material is properly handled. Sometimes as delicate as the Dutch school, sometimes as magnificent as Michelangelo's handwriting in the Sistine Chapel. The confusion of life portrayed in this book will leave you with an indelible impression that the individual appears so humble when the forces of darkness control the destiny of the nation.
4. Franklin's Autobiography
Author: [U.S.] Benjamin Franklin
Publisher: Shanghai Translation Publishing House
Translator: Pu Long
Publication year: 2018-12
Autobiographies make up a small proportion of literary history, and none of these few autobiographies is more enduringly interesting than Franklin's Autobiography. The interesting thing about the book is not only its narrative, but also Franklin's vivid and realistic portrayal of himself. He loves all the good things in life, but is also able to accept any setbacks calmly. He was obsessed with wine and did not hide it in the slightest. His talents are simply innumerable, and his life is happy and meaningful. He made great contributions to his country, to his state, to the cities in which he lived. I think there is only one reason why he has not been recognized by his own people, and that is that he never plays gimmicks.
5. Confessions
Author: [French] Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Publisher: China Friendship Publishing Company
Translator: Chen Xiaoqing
Published: 2016-7-5
I can imagine that most people read this book with a lot of interest, although they can't help but feel disgusted by it. But if you think that exploring human nature is the most interesting thing in the world, this book will not disappoint you, because its author has exposed his soul naked to the world. Anyone who is honest with himself will ask himself after reading this book, "What is the difference between me and him?" His confession shocked me, but if I dissected myself without reservation, was I really kinder than him? "So I want to warn readers that this book strikes at everyone's sense of self-superiority, which is our umbrella in the difficult real world."
6. "Moby Dick"
Author: [U.S.] Herman Melville
Publisher: Houlang 丨Jiangsu Phoenix Literature and Art Publishing House
Translator: Luo Shanchuan
Publication year: 2021-6
There are sections in Moby Dick that are too boring to write, such as the knowledge of antiquities that can only be found in libraries, and the biological history of whales; but it is clear that Melville is very focused on the accumulation of knowledge in these advanced areas, and we must accept some of the "whimsy" of this great writer. The wise man will have a mistake, Homer also has a nap, and Shakespeare also wrote many empty and flashy sentences. However, in some scenes in New Bedford, Melville's description of events, the handling of the characters, and the depiction of the terrible Abel are all divine strokes. This work contains a throbbing, a mystery, a omen, a passion, a fear and shock of life, and the evil forces in fate that cannot be escaped, and they hold your throat tightly. Your spirit is almost broken, but it seems to have been sublimated. If you are a writer, you should be extremely proud to have such a high level of artistic attainment and have such an extraordinary impact on the hearts and senses of your readers.
7. The Collected Poems of Ellen Poe
Author: [American] Edgar Allan Poe / [French] Edmund Dulac Tu
Publisher: Hunan Literature and Art Publishing House
Translator: Cao Minglun
Publication year: 2018-8
Allan Poe wrote some of America's most moving poems, and these works are like famous Paintings of Venice, and the beauty they exhibit is simply breathtaking, and the moment you touch it, the senses are so supremely enjoyed that you don't care if it inspires you. All these verses can offer is its beauty, yet this beauty is incomparable. His work is full of romantic elements, the technique is quite exaggerated; the dialogue of the characters is also very exaggerated, like the characters themselves, lack of realism; in addition, the scope of his writing is also relatively narrow. However, you have to endure all this: because his creations are unique, his works are not many, but each one allows the reader to enjoy reading.
8. "The Brothers Karamazov"
Author: [Russian] Dostoevsky
Translator: Rong Rude
Publication year: 2015-2-1
If reading is not regarded as a pleasure, it is useless. However, when I wanted to include The Brothers Karamazov in the list of recommendations, I was hesitant. I don't know if this magnificent tragic work will bring enjoyment to the reader. But it's up to the reader, and if you can enjoy the stormy sea, the burning jungle, and the rushing torrents, you'll love Brothers Karamazov. And, as I said, all I want to recommend are books that can't be missed, books that will bring you great spiritual wealth and make your life more fulfilling. From this point of view, "Brothers Karamazov" is definitely not to be missed, and it can even be said to be the most worth reading on this list.
Most of Dostoevsky's characters have a dark side. They are not ordinary people, they are warm, energetic, and very sensitive, they endure great pain, they are very extreme in everything, they are condemned by God. They behave like madmen in a mental hospital, but there is an important implication hidden in all this wanton behavior. You will find that in presenting their own suffering, they also reveal the terrible power of the human soul. Due to the length of The Brothers Karamazov, some of the content appears to be somewhat fragmented; however, with the exception of a few chapters, the entire work is completely appealing to the reader. I can no longer think of a novel that portrays the sublime and the despicable of mankind so vividly; likewise, no novel that describes the suffering of the human soul with such deep compassion and the power to destroy decay.
9. Don Quixote
Author: [West] Cervantes Savidra
Publisher: Republic of | Guangxi Normal University Press
Translator: Tang Minquan
Publication year: 2020-1
One thing I want to remind you: Cervantes was a poor man, and in order to make money he wrote a great deal of short stories, many of which I read out of a sense of responsibility, not out of pleasure, and I advise you to skip them. All you have to read is the story of Don Quixote and his loyal servant Sancho Pansha. Although Don Quixote's misfortunes are truly hilarious (people laugh at him much less today than they did in the past, because we are more easily touched than the people of that era, and the farces that happened to him are so cruel that we cannot bear to take pleasure in them), unless you are insensitive by nature, you will certainly love this sad knight. Don Quixote's magnanimous disposition is enough to conquer all readers. No one but Cervantes has been able to create such a character by imagination.
10. "Madame Bovary"
Author: [French] Gustav Flaubert
Publisher: Fruit and Wheat Culture | Tianjin People's Publishing House
Translator: Zhou Kexi
Publication year: 2016-10
Madame Bovary is a milestone in the history of modern fiction. Recently, when I read the book again, I found that Flaubert was too much of an absolute objectivity, resulting in the language of the whole book is somewhat cold and boring, so my appreciation of the book has also been affected. But I still think it's a great and powerful work, the characters are portrayed in detail and realistically, and after reading it, you will have a deep sympathy for the small people of the city who have suffered a lot in life (although you will also despise them). Every character in the author's writing really appears in front of your eyes, they are desperate to live, they have long been no longer individuals, but have become a typical. If we must draw some kind of moral from this novel, then Madame Bovary contains such an insignificant truth: daydreaming is useless, and it will only bring us disaster.
11. Montaigne's Essays
Author: [Fa] Montaigne
Translator: Ma Zhencheng
Publication year: 2013-6
Montaigne sketches out his true self in prose, showing his taste, eccentricity, and vulnerability so comprehensively that you will find that you know him even more than you know about any of your friends around you. Montaigne's skepticism taught him to be tolerant, a virtue which is extremely valuable in our time, and his interest in humanity, and his attitude towards enjoying life, made his mind incomparably broad-minded. If we can reach his state, we can not only make ourselves happy, but also help others to be happy. Any of Montaigne's essays would bring great enjoyment to the reader, but the third volume is the best choice. The prose in this volume is long, and his characteristic and fascinating arguments are thus brought to full play. The content of this part of the prose is more serious, but it is not lacking in interest; the author is proficient in writing, and he understands the interests of the reader, and perfectly shows his unbridled spirit.
12. "Princess Clive"
Author: [French] Mrs. Lafayette
Publisher: East China Normal University Press
Translators: Huang Jianhua, Yu Xiumei
Publication year: 2017-4
The book was published in 1678 and has been called the earliest psychological novel by literary historians. Of course, the book is very interesting, and more importantly, it tells a very special and modern story. The story is set in the court of Henry II, and the protagonist is a very noble and kind woman. She respected her husband very much, but she did not love him. At a court ball, she met the Duke of Nemour and fell in love with him at first sight. However, she did not want to insult her reputation. So she confessed her inner feelings to her husband, hoping that he could help herself and resist temptation. Her husband was a gentleman of good character who trusted his wife, who knew she would not betray him. However, human nature is fragile after all, and his heart is still tormented by jealousy. He became suspicious, sensitive, and irritable. I have never seen a novel that so naturally recounts the gradual degeneration of human nature in the midst of suffering. It's a touching story in which the characters want to do everything they do in accordance with their sense of responsibility, only to lose to uncontrollable factors from the outside world.
13. "Manon Resgo"
Author: [Fa] Privo
Publisher: Baihuazhou Literature and Art Publishing House
Translator: Fu Xin
Publication year: 2009-10
What appears in this work are fragile and error-prone ordinary people. But they touch the hearts of the readers, because in them we also see our own weakness. It's a novel that reflects human nature, and I envy those who read it for the first time. Although the protagonist Mannon has committed many mistakes, she is still alive, natural and radiant.
14. "The Red and the Black"
Author: [Fa] Stendhal
Translator: Luo Xinzhang
I want you to read two of Stendhal's novels. The first is The Red and the Black, and if you can enjoy it as much as I do, keep reading The Convent of Palma. Stendhal is my favorite novelist. I like his simple and concise way of writing and his meticulous and precise psychological analysis. He has a keen insight into people's inner world, and he appreciates people's motivation to do things the most. He has portrayed many characters, but the ones that expend most of his energy are those who are not afraid of difficulties and obstacles and move forward courageously. This type of person is determined to do what he wants to do, even if he commits a crime. In my opinion, the first two-thirds of the content of "The Red and the Black" is simply unparalleled, but the content behind it is out of par. The reason is somewhat surprising, Stendhal's novel is based on facts, but his protagonist Jullien Sorrell is out of touch with reality (this is a mistake we often make when writing novels). So when Stendhal pulled Back into the situation he had created, it caused the reader's displeasure, because no one could believe that such an unscrupulous and ambitious guy could be stupid enough to act recklessly.
15. "The Honest Man"
Author: [Fa] Voltaire
Translator: Fu Lei
Publication year: 2017-8
The wisdom, banter, playfulness, rationality, and fun contained in these few pages are unmatched by any other work of equal length. The book satirizes the philosophical optimism that prevailed at the time, coinciding with the Lisbon earthquake, which was widespread and suffered heavy casualties, which was a blow to celebrities who always thought they were living in the best of the world. In this novel, he teases, cynically, about things that people have always thought should be taken seriously, such as religion, politics, love, ambition, and loyalty, and he hopes to enlighten people: be tolerant and generous, and strive to reclaim their own garden. That is to say, to be conscientious and persistent in doing what you should do.
16. "The Tall Old Man"
Author: [f] Balzac
Translator: Han Hulin
Publication year: 2013-1
In every way, I think Balzac is the greatest novelist of all time. Like Dickens, he liked to describe extraordinary people and events, and was dismissive of the ordinary. And his portrayal of the wicked is extremely well-placed, even more so than the decent characters he writes about. When you read Balzac's works, you don't feel like you're dealing with a particular group of people, you're dealing with society as a whole, and these works contain social issues that are far more important than the fate of the individual. His characters, some of whom run small shops or big deals, have their own gains and losses; and although love is a large part of his novels (and all novelists are), money is still the main driving force behind everything in the world he has created. His writing style is rough, extreme, and tasteless, but his passion and energy have prompted him to create a series of indulgent characters, who are extremely heroic and alive. His stories are often accused of being too dramatic, but how can those remarkable characters live in a world of conformism? It's like a storm needing a backdrop of mountains and sea to be magnificent.
17. The Three Musketeers
Author: [Fa] Dumas
Translators: Hao Yun, Wang Zhensun
Publication year: 2011-1
"The Three Musketeers" is a great romantic novel, it may not be considered an authentic literary work, the character description is poor, the plot is not thorough enough, but it is very readable. It has to be said that making a work readable is a talent that a novelist must have.
18. "The Red Letter"
Author: [U.S.] Nathaniel Hawthorne
Translator: Su Fuzhong
Published: 2011-1-1
I recommend the book "The Red Letter" because its language description is impressive. Hawthorne drew nourishment from the great writers of the 18th century and developed his own style of language. For example, this sentence: "His heart is by no means cold and heartless, even the fluff on the wings of the butterfly seems cruel to him." "Hawthorne has a very good sense of rhythm and wording skills, and is able to create the most exquisite sentences. He was able to write sentences that were half a page long, and although the clauses were continuous, they were read with a strong sense of rhythm and were as clear as crystal. His prose is like an intricate gothic tapestry, neither pompous nor monotonous. His metaphors all have deep meanings, the metaphors are appropriate, and the words are very consistent with the things he describes.
19. "The Characteristics of the British"
Author: [Beauty] Emerson
Publisher: Chinese Social Sciences Publishing Co., Ltd.
Translators: Zhang Qigui, Li Changqi, Hu Lili
Publication year: 2008-10
Emerson's books never soothed me. I am by no means to belittle this writer who makes his countrymen proud, I recognize his charisma and generous personality. Although he was able to write very vivid sentences, they often lacked practical significance. He is like an agile ice dancer, displaying elegant and complex movements on the clichéd ice. If he hadn't been such a kind man, maybe he would have become a better writer. However, since he is already a very famous writer, readers must wonder how he achieved such a high status in the field of literature. I suggest you read his book The Character of the Englishman. The book is more substantive than the content of the Collected Papers, which is not as vague, loose, and superficial as the content of the Collected Papers. The book is more vivid, relevant, and interesting than any of Emerson's other works. I really felt joy when I read this book.
20. "The Americans"
Author: [U.S.] Henry James
Publisher: 99 Readers | People's Literature Publishing House
Translator: Mu Congjun
Publication year: 2020-9-1
Henry James is not by far the greatest American writer, but undoubtedly the most famous. He is humorous, intelligent, insightful, and has a certain sense of the dramatic scenes in life. But the grassroots nature of the soul leads to a lack of understanding of some of the most basic human emotions, such as love and hate, and fear of death and the unknown in life. No one can perceive the appearance of things as he does, but he cannot comprehend the profound content beneath the surface. He sees The Envoy as his finest novel, but when I reread it recently, I was struck by the emptiness of its contents. The book is tortuous and boring to read, and the author has not scrutinized the way different characters speak, resulting in the tone of all the characters being no different from that of Henry James himself. In contrast, I prefer his Americans. The book is as voluminous as a detective novel, or even more so. When you walk into the heart of this kind, elegant and cultured author, you will be attracted by his charm.
21. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Author: [U.S.] Mark Twain
Translator: Timely
Publication year: 2004-01
The book still has a very important influence on the best and most American writers. Mark Twain shows a living way of writing, telling the world that literary creation does not need to emulate the British writers of the 17th and 18th centuries, but can also come from the dialogue of ordinary people in their daily lives. But it would be foolish to reduce the words of Huckleberry Finn as if they were scenes in our lives. No child who has never been educated can say such a concise and crisp sentence and use such an appropriate modifier. Perhaps Mark Twain thought that such a colloquial first-person approach to writing was out of character from a literary point of view, so in creating this work he employed some writing techniques that readers were happy to accept, making what his little hero said seem more real. In fact, if Mark Twain hadn't had a hot head and let that boring little idiot Tom Sawyer ruin the last few chapters, the work would have been pretty much perfect.
22. "Father and Son"
Author: [Russian] Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev
Publisher: Shanghai Sanlian Bookstore
Translator: Zhang Tiefu
Publication year: 2014-4
Turgenev was a full-fledged artist who was keenly aware of the poetry of life. And he's full of charisma, compassion, and humanity. His work may not impress readers, but it is by no means disgusting. In his most outstanding work, Father and Son, he pioneered a nihilist, and it is interesting to note that many of the qualities of the protagonist, Bazarov, also appear in some of the politicians in today's society, who either caused great disasters to the world or opened a new era. Bazarov's character is extremely cruel, but he leaves an indelible impression on the reader, and he is not a completely indifferent and heartless person. His ability is beyond doubt, although in the novel he is only a waste of words and has no chance to put it into action, but we believe that when the time is ripe, he can turn the bold ideas in his head into reality. Even though his great image is dark, it is sympathetic.
23. "Moore Flanders"
Author: Daniel Defoe
Publisher: Jilin Publishing Group Co., Ltd
Translator: Liang Yuchun
Publication year: 2012-6-1
No English novelist has written it more vividly than Defoe. When you read Defoe's work, you can even forget that you are reading a novel, it is more like an unblemished report. You will find that what the characters in the book say is very consistent with their identity, and their behavior is very reasonable, and in a certain situation, the reader cannot doubt their behavior at all. Moore Flanders is not a book on morality. The content is complex, vulgar and cruel, but I think it fits well with the stoic character of the British. Defoe lacked imagination and a sense of humor, but he was experienced, a brilliant journalist with a keen sense of smell for special events and a very detailed account.
24. Gulliver's Travels
Author: Jonathan Swift
Translator: Sun Yu
Publication year: 2006-8
Gulliver's Travels is full of wisdom and sarcasm, but also has ingenious ideas, endless humor, cruel irony, and living life. The style of writing of the book is breathtaking. No one can use our complex language as succinctly and crisply as Swift does, and it's very natural... A set of adjectives can also be added to Swift: vigorous and not arrogant.
25. The History of The Abandoned Tom Jones
Author: [English] Henry Fielding
Translator: Zhang Guruo
Publication year: 2019-5
The History of Tom Jones the Outcast is perhaps the most vital work in the history of English literature. It is a gorgeous, courageous and optimistic work, with steady and imposing writing, and of course, its content is also very straightforward. The protagonist, tom Jones, is handsome, energetic, and beloved by readers, and although he does something immoral, we don't care about it. Because we are not hypocritical dogmatists, what we see is his selfless and sincere heart. Anyone will be delighted to read The History of Abandoned Tom Jones, a work of pride and positivity. The book does not have any deceptive language, which can make the reader feel warm from the bottom of his heart.
26. The Biography of Xiang Di
Author: [English] Lawrence Stern
Publication year: 2012-3-1
Dr. Johnson, commenting on sir Charlie Grandison, once said, "If you flip through this book to read the story, you're so angry that you want to hang yourself." I think this sentence also applies to the Biography of Xiang Di. Evaluations of the book vary from person to person, with some finding it as worth reading as any good book, while others find it boring and contrived. The book is loose and lacks coherence, and the plot deviates from the story more than once. However, it is quite original, humorous and moving. Many personalities will undoubtedly bring you a spiritual feast, they are so cute, once you get to know them, you will feel that it is a pity to miss such friends.
27. The Biography of Johnson
Author: [English] Boswell
Translator: Luo Luojia Morof
There is no doubt that Boswell's Biography of Johnson is the greatest work in English biographical literature. People of any age can benefit from this book and reap the joys. Whenever you pick up the book and flip through it, it will surely make you feel good.
28. "The Poet's Biography"
Author: [English] Samuel Johnson
Publication year: 2017-3
I'm afraid there's no book better for spending holiday time or as a pillow reading than A Biography of a Poet. The style of this work is elegant, but there is no lack of sharp and humorous language, and the content of the whole book is easy to understand. His interest in his characters is no less than his interest in their work. Although you may not have read those poems, the images that Johnson portrays with his meticulous, vivid, and inclusive observation will still fascinate you.
29. Gibbon's Autobiography
Author: [English] Yoshimoto
Translator: Dai Ziqin
Publication year: 2013-2
Gibbon's Autobiography is indeed highly readable, short in length, maintaining Gibbon's usual elegant style, both serious and humorous. Speaking of humor, I have to give an example to illustrate this: when Gibbon lived in Lausanne, he fell in love, but his father threatened to deprive him of the right to inherit, and after some thought, he dismissed the idea of marrying his lover. Gibbon concludes the vignette: "As a lover I sigh; as a son, I can only obey." The passage of time, the separation of loved ones, and the new habits of life have made my wounds heal unconsciously. "I think that even if there are no other highlights in this book, these classic sentences are very precious.
30. "David Copperfield"
Author: [English] Charles Dickens
Publisher: 99 Readers | Shanghai Literature and Art Publishing House
As for David Copperfield, I have nothing more to dwell on, it is Dickens's greatest work, in which we find almost no faults of Dickens, whose strengths are fully revealed.
31. Mansfield Manor
Author: [English] Jane Austen
Translator: Xiang Xingyao
Publication year: 2010-7
I cannot say that Jane Austen was the greatest English novelist, for the title belonged to Dickens, who, in spite of his pompousness, vulgarity, incillation, and sentimentality, was outstanding. He is not describing the world as we know it, but creating a new one. He uses suspense, drama and humor to create a variety of feelings and a noisy atmosphere of life. But Jane Austen was flawless. It is true that the scope of her writing is very limited, involving only some squires, priests, and the middle class, but when it comes to accurately penetrating the hearts of the characters and carefully portraying the characters, who can look back? She didn't need my praise at all. I just want to mention the characteristics of her writing: she is able to unfold the narrative quietly, and the reader always feels that everything she describes makes sense. Overall, there's no ups and downs in her story, and she's reluctant to write about that kind of dramatic contingency, but you can't help but flip through the pages, desperate to know what's next, and I can't understand why that's the case. This is the talent that a novelist needs, and if he fails to do so, the novelist is finished.
32. "Yan TanLu"
Author: [English] Herzritt
Publisher: Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences Publishing
Translators: Yan Hui, Hu Lin
Publication year: 2001-12
Although Herzritt's fame was completely overshadowed by Charles Lamb, it seems to me that as an essayist he was better than the latter. Charles Lamb was charismatic, gentle and humorous, loved by people who knew him, and he always touched the hearts of his readers. Herzritt is very different, rude, reckless, jealous, and competitive. Honestly, he's really unpopular, but unfortunately, the best people don't necessarily write the best books. After all, the artist still has to have a personality. It seemed to me that Herzridt's painful, struggling, and agitated soul was far more attractive to me than Charles Lamb's forbearance and sadness. As a writer, Herzritt was very active, bold, and positive. As long as it is what he wants to say, he will inevitably say it without hesitation. His prose is rich in content, and as soon as you finish reading one of them, you will feel as satisfied as if you had eaten a hearty meal.
33. Vanity Fair
Author: [English] Thackeray
Today's critics are too harsh on Thackeray. Perhaps, Thackeray's misfortune lies in the fact that he was born in that era. If he had lived in our time and written, he would not have been bound by the victorian traditions, and no matter how harsh the realities he faced, he could have appealed truthfully to the pen. His consciousness was ahead of his time, he was deeply aware of human mediocrity, and at the same time he was deeply interested in the contradictions embodied in human nature. Although the sadness and dogma in his work are repulsive, and it is regrettable that he has gone with the flow due to the weakness of his character, it is undeniable that the Becky Sharp he created is the most real, vivid and powerful character in English fiction.
34. Wuthering Heights
Author: [English] Emily Brontë
Publisher: Fruit and Wheat Culture | Zhejiang Literature and Art Publishing House
Translators: Zhang Ling, Zhang Yang
Wuthering Heights is a unique work. The novel is full of violent depictions that often confuse the reader; yet the content of the book is passionate and touching, as profound and powerful as a great poem. It doesn't sound like you're reading a novel at all, because when you read a novel, no matter how engrossed you are, you always remind yourself that it's just a story; however, Wuthering Heights can make you really feel the pain of a broken life.
35. Blades of Grass
Author: [U.S.] Walter Whitman
Translator: Zhao Luorui
Publication year: 2020-11
In Blades of Grass we finally see the purest American qualities that are unaffected by Europe, and that's what I've been looking for. I must clarify the fact that no great poet's work is as uneven as Whitman's. Whitman achieved great success early in his career, but perhaps because his writing path was too smooth, or because he was too intoxicated with his own gushing remarks, he often made a big fuss about meaningless subjects. Blades of Grass is a book that is suitable for reading in any environment. You can control the time of reading at will, close the page when you are tired of reading, and open any page next time to continue reading. Whitman wrote some pure and fascinating poems, but also left some inspiring quotes, and he often burst out some touching inspiration. Whitman is the most powerful poet, and it goes without saying. He was full of energy throughout his life, able to keenly perceive the complexities and changes of life and all kinds of warm, beautiful, and joyful things. Americans can proudly classify these traits as the true American spirit. Whitman gave ordinary people a taste of poetry. He tells us that poetry cannot be produced only in the moonlight, in ruins, or in the lamentations of the acacia maiden, but also in the streets, on trains, in steamboats, in the hard work of craftsmen and in the chores of peasant women, and to poetry at every moment. Simply put, poetry is everywhere in life.
This article is excerpted from
Maugham's Book List
Author: William Somerset Maugham
Publisher: Boji Tianjuan | Hunan Literature and Art Publishing House
Translator: Li Yafei
Publication year: 2020-12