Dune by Frank Herbert
A magnificent creation, we come back for the religion, the politics and the myths, which are so much more powerful precisely because he does not expound them.
The Collector by John Fowles
Frederick/Ferdinand troubles us, but we empathise with his lonely pitiful existence until we read Miranda’s account and realise the full horror of the situation.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson
Paranoia, 5 blotters of acid, a salt shaker of cocaine, Gonzo journalism, bats, a pint of ether, open road to Vegas, a knife, two bags of dope, a Samoan lawyer pouring beer on his chest to facilitate tanning, a two pound grapefruit, a large red convertible, a hitch hiker, 75 mescal pellets, thrashing in the bath like a shark after meat and how to deal with the California Highway Patrol. Madness.
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
The opus that the Fountainhead only hinted at. Immensely frustrating, as we are powerless to stop the looters, this is the essence of capitalism.
The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien
Surely THE fantasy novel. A wonderful journey.
Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins
Eternal life is attainable through love, sex and regular warms baths. A mythical tale of a Bohemian king popping up in New Orleans. Plucking grey hairs, Pans rank smell stopping him being smuggled to the new world, scent in Paris and individuality.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
One of the most complex characters in fiction, Heathcliff enthralls. Passionate and vindictive, sullen and bitter, his anger drives him avenge himself on the entire family.
Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
Hilariously funny and unusually perceptive. What happens to Armageddon if the Antichrist got an English country schoolboy upbringing?
Wuthering Heights by Dostoyevsky
Morality and conscience, a surprisingly readable classic.
Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons
The only graphic novel to have won a Hugo award. Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
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