UK Book Club discussion
50 Books in a Year
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50 Greatest British Writers since 1945
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I really liked Philip Pullman and Roald Dahl when I was younger, and thought JK Rowling was a good author (but not necessarily top 50). I disagree with Tolkein though as I really didn't enjoy the Hobit or the Lord of the Rings. I do think CS Lewis is a good writer though, and Angela Carter I'd be willing to give another try!

Not so sure about JK Rowling being included though, admittedly she has managed to write a very popular series but I don't see it as being anything particularly special.

Ding! Idea!
We could have a challenge to read a book from the listed authors!
Ok just a thought! I will now go and have a lie down in a darkened room till it wears off!


Sam wrote: "I agree with including Tolkien for two reasons, one I think his writing although detailed is amazing and two he is pretty much solely responsible for creating the fantasy genre that is now so popul..."
I guess that is true, I just didn't like how much detail there was!
And Lynne - reading a book from each of these authors would be a good challenge, who's up for it? :)
Oh, and if you're already on book 37 I think it's time you started reading books in a different language or something to slow you down!
I guess that is true, I just didn't like how much detail there was!
And Lynne - reading a book from each of these authors would be a good challenge, who's up for it? :)
Oh, and if you're already on book 37 I think it's time you started reading books in a different language or something to slow you down!

And I'm up for this author challenge!
Perhaps we should choose these authors for group reads too? If they're the best british authors since '45 then they deserve to be discussed :)

I agree with you guys on J K Rowling. Harry Potter is great and everything but its just one series and i doubt she would have made the list if it hadn't been so sucessful. I will give her one thing though, she has an amazing imagination!

I loved TLOTR and The Hobbit... can't say the same about Harry Potter though!
Btw, Lynne, I can't believe you've already read 37 books in 2 months!!!! wow, I mean... wow, I take my hat off!!

I always preferred Enid Blyton to Roald Dahl and want her to be on the list!
I have no idea how they chose the greatest writers... I would find it impossible to decide on who the best writers are...
I have no idea how they chose the greatest writers... I would find it impossible to decide on who the best writers are...

Yep same here! And the Secret Seven :)
I've not seen the drama, but I've seen a mini model version of her house at Bekonscot Mini Village hehe
I've not seen the drama, but I've seen a mini model version of her house at Bekonscot Mini Village hehe

Glad to see Le Carre on the list, but Rushdie!!!? oh please!! still it takes all sorts I suppose, it would be a dull world if we all had the same tastes.
All the best,
Paul Rix [oldgeezer:]

I noticed your comment about Dame Beryl, it suddenly occured to me, she is the only one on the list I've met, several times! I've never read any of her books, in fact I couldn't have named one. That said she is one of the nicest people you will ever meet,she remembers me because I always have a cigarette lighter which works in the wind, she is one of the few people I know who smokes more than I do!!
The great thing about Beryl is she has no 'aires and graces' straight forward, if a little theatrical at times and she is a great champion of new authors.
All the best,
Paul Rix [old geezer:]
Em wrote: "Sounds interesting! I wonder how they decided on the greatest? There are some writers here that I love. Doris Lessing is amazing and writes in totally diverse genres - I think she is great. Also..."
Hi Em,
I've heard that An Awfully Big Adventure by Beryl Bainbridge is disappointing, (having never read it myself) but I HAVE read Every Man for Himself - her novel set on board the Titanic, and The Birthday Boys - about Scott's ill-fated expedition to the Antarctic and they are both excellent - among my favourites. Give her another go.....
Hi Em,
I've heard that An Awfully Big Adventure by Beryl Bainbridge is disappointing, (having never read it myself) but I HAVE read Every Man for Himself - her novel set on board the Titanic, and The Birthday Boys - about Scott's ill-fated expedition to the Antarctic and they are both excellent - among my favourites. Give her another go.....



Smokers unite eh! I'm sure she is lovely and I think I'll try another of her books soon. When/if you pick up one of her books sounds like An Awfully Big Adventure may be one not to chose - it was my book group choice and 2 of the group couldn't finish and those that did couldn't follow it - glad the author wasn't a fly on the wall for that discussion.

Yes, I really enjoyed it - it's a bit like being a fly on the wall (of the Titanic). A slim novel, but she manages to fit plenty in!
(and luckily there's no-one to shout 'I'm the King of the World!'....cue Celine Dione)
(and luckily there's no-one to shout 'I'm the King of the World!'....cue Celine Dione)
Books mentioned in this topic
The Magic Faraway Tree (other topics)An Awfully Big Adventure (other topics)
Every Man for Himself (other topics)
The Birthday Boys (other topics)
Authors mentioned in this topic
Roald Dahl (other topics)Enid Blyton (other topics)
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.u...
1. Philip Larkin
2. George Orwell
3. William Golding
4. Ted Hughes
5. Doris Lessing
6. J. R. R. Tolkien
7. V. S. Naipaul
8. Muriel Spark
9. Kingsley Amis
10. Angela Carter
11. C. S. Lewis
12. Iris Murdoch
13. Salman Rushdie
14. Ian Fleming
15. Jan Morris
16. Roald Dahl
17. Anthony Burgess
18. Mervyn Peake
19. Martin Amis
20. Anthony Powell
21. Alan Sillitoe
22. John Le Carré
23. Penelope Fitzgerald
24. Philippa Pearce
25. Barbara Pym
26. Beryl Bainbridge
27. J. G. Ballard
28. Alan Garner
29. Alasdair Gray
30. John Fowles
31. Derek Walcott
32. Kazuo Ishiguro
33. Anita Brookner
34. A. S. Byatt
35. Ian McEwan
36. Geoffrey Hill
37. Hanif Kureishi
38. Iain Banks
39. George Mackay Brown
40. A. J. P. Taylor
41. Isaiah Berlin
42. J. K. Rowling
43. Philip Pullman
44. Julian Barnes
45. Colin Thubron
46. Bruce Chatwin
47. Alice Oswald
48. Benjamin Zephaniah
49. Rosemary Sutcliff
50. Michael Moorcock