Reply #15: h'm . . . this is a toughie, yes . . . [View All]

"DEATH ON THE INSTALLMENT PLAN" by Louis-Ferdinand Céline, but "JOURNEY TO THE END OF THE NIGHT" . . . "GUIGNOL'S BAND" too, maybe, just for those aching visions of hell. on the other hand, it doesn't seem right choosing among translations.

Therefore, "MOBY DICK" — seriously

"THE ELEMENTARY PARTICLES" by Houellebecq is heartily recommended, I must've read that 'un about 10 times by now. this particular novel deals in genetic/social engineering sci-fi, believable bad ideas and a snapping, crackling wit. his descriptions of sexual intercourse are about as cold and clinical (and, oddly, sort of tender) as they come.

oh crap, no pun intended.

also I used to be nuts for Dostoyevsky in high school (which didn't end all that long ago, though it feels that way) so I'll go ahead and include "THE DEMONS" and "THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV" for good measure.