Thursday, June 10, 2010

Let's Vote - Classics for Pleasure

I haven’t read many classics this year so I hope you’ll indulge me as all selections come from Michael Dirda’s book, Classics for Pleasure. I was able to come up with some books that may not be the first choices when you think of Classics but they sound quite good. Here they are:

Manservant and Maidservant by Ivy Compton-Burnett. At once the strangest and most marvelous of Ivy Compton-Burnett’s fictions, Manservant and Maidservant has for its subject the domestic life of Horace Lamb, sadist, skinflint, and tyrant. But it is when Horace undergoes an altogether unforeseeable change of heart that the real difficulties begin. Is the repentant master a victim along with the former slave? And how can anyone endure the memory of the wrongs that have been done?

The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer. Sophy sets everything right for her desperate family in one of Georgette Heyer's most popular Regency romances. When Lady Ombersley agrees to take in her young niece, no one expects Sophy, who sweeps in and immediately takes the ton by storm.

Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell. "Cranford" depicts the lives and preoccupations of the inhabitants of a small village - their petty snobberies and appetite for gossip, and their loyal support for each other in times of need.

Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather. In 1851 Bishop Latour and his friend Father Valliant are dispatched to New Mexico to reawaken its slumbering Catholicism. Moving along the endless prairies, Latour spreads his faith the only way he knows—gently, although he must contend with the unforgiving landscape, derelict and sometimes openly rebellious priests, and his own loneliness.

The Time Machine by H.G. Wells – When the intrepid Time Traveller finds himself in the year 802,701, he encounters a seemingly utopian society of evolved human beings but then unearths the dark secret that sets mankind on course toward its inevitable destruction.

I’ll tally up the votes and announce the winner on Monday, June 14.

9 comments:

Rebecca H. said...

Thanks for making a list, Iliana! I vote for the Compton-Burnett (on my TBR pile!).

Amanda Roper said...

YAY! Classics! The last few books haven't really grabbed me. I can't even decide! How about the Compton-Burnett as I haven't read her yet.

Danielle said...

What a great list. I think I'll vote for the Ivy Compton Burnett--I see her popping up a lot lately, so I am very curious about her.

Stefanie said...

Nice list Iliana! I'll be happy to read any of them. Even though it seems I am outnumbered, I'm casting my vote for Time Machine :)

Eileen said...

I'm voting for Compton-Burnett too!

J.C. Montgomery said...

Yet again tough choices. Up until recently, I've been in quite the reading slump. I'm hoping to be able to participate this go 'round and keep things flowing

My vote goes for Death For the Archbishop even though I see that Compton-Burnett's books is looking very good.

litlove said...

I'm also voting for Willa Cather, please!

SFP said...

Ivy Compton-Burnett!

Frances said...

Compton-Burnett. Have not read anything from her so am curious.