Best work of literature?

**Psychonaut** · 07-10-2011, 01:58 AM

On your list I was a bit torn between Hamlet and Faust, but had to go with the latter. As a "not on your list" addition, I'd raise you maybe the two best scifi books ever written: Snowcrash and The Book of the New Sun.

**Birka** · 07-10-2011, 02:24 AM

The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Great reflections of European mythology and culture.

**MST3K** · 07-12-2011, 06:16 PM

Tough decision, but I chose The Divine Comedy...It is fantastic.
Also, I really enjoyed Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

I was saddened that Beowulf, The Canterbury Tales weren't listed. British literature has always been a hobby of mine.

**~~Joe McCarthy~~** · 07-12-2011, 06:22 PM

Originally Posted by MST3K

Tough decision, but I chose The Divine Comedy...It is fantastic.
Also, I really enjoyed Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

I was saddened that Beowulf, The Canterbury Tales weren't listed. British literature has always been a hobby of mine.

I probably included too much British literature as it is - not that it isn't deserving.

**antonio** · 07-12-2011, 06:23 PM

Fortunatelly no one voted for Candido. I read it some months ago and it's a fucking joke of a book, besides being right or wrong the underlying philosophy, who is an independent matter.

**MST3K** · 07-12-2011, 06:53 PM

Originally Posted by Joe McCarthy

I probably included too much British literature as it is - not that it isn't deserving.

Fair enough.

**Magister Eckhart** · 07-12-2011, 07:38 PM

Faust is the West.

**Comte Arnau** · 07-12-2011, 07:49 PM

I've opened several threads about best novels in several languages, because if it's already difficult to choose the best ones in a language, it's just impossible to judge this in such a general way. I, at least, can't compare in between works written in different languages.

I see, though, that this thread is so far restricted to the English literature.

**Lucretius** · 07-12-2011, 08:00 PM

Originally Posted by Count Arnau

I've opened several threads about best novels in several languages, because if it's already difficult to choose the best ones in a language, it's just impossible to judge this in such a general way. I, at least, can't compare in between works written in different languages.

I see, though, that this thread is so far restricted to the English literature.

Exactly.

**~~Joe McCarthy~~** · 07-12-2011, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by Count Arnau

I see, though, that this thread is so far restricted to the English literature.

In the US 'world literature' is dominated by England. Call it bias, but I imagine if we were a Spanish derived culture I'd have Calderon or others on the list.

I do think though that a genuine case is there for England producing the greatest quantity of high quality literature. In fact, I don't think anyone comes close with the exception of France.