When you look at lists of bestselling novels, and then at lists of what the “greatest novels” are, you don’t see as much overlap as you do in other media. It seems as though when it comes to those GOAT lists, people seem way more concerned with magnitude as works of literature as art, when in reality the kinds of books you’re taught in school won’t as often be the kinds of books people choose to buy and read. As much as reading is viewed as an “intellectual” hobby by society, I don’t think most readers are as concerned with that side of it, and often will even read stuff they know is trashy. Which is great! As long as people are reading, in a time when reading seems to be going away, it can only be a good thing. But that being said, having combed through some such lists, I’m wondering which books people consider to maximize both sides, being exciting and engaging reads while also being immensely powerful and well written as works of art. So for instance a Colleen Hoover novel may not be atop many people’s lists of contemporary masterpieces, but Ulysses won’t exactly be something people are addicted to and can’t stop themselves from devouring. What books hit that sweet spot between the two arenas in the best way?

  • IconicTayQuestion@alien.topB
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    10 months ago

    I spent the last 100 or so pages of Notre Dame de Paris unable to put it down, going ‘omg don’t kill [redacted character]’. It took a thousand pages to get me there, but I was IN that world.

    • The_Ace@alien.topB
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      10 months ago

      Same but the first 100+ pages were the opposite and a real struggle to get into! But I’m glad I persevered, I loved it once I was invested!