Best work of literature?

[Comte Arnau]

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.

I concede that English and French literatures are probably larger than most others in terms of modern novels -in other genres, it's far more arguable. But I've spent a couple of minutes seeing the proportions of the poll, and well...

English: 20 - French: 9
Greek: 3
German, Italian, Latin, Russian: 2
Spanish: 1



And on top of it, my favourite of all English novels, Wuthering Heights, is not in there.

[Joe McCarthy]

I concede that English and French literatures are probably larger than most others in terms of modern novels -in other genres, it's far more arguable. But I've spent a couple of minutes seeing the proportions of the poll, and well...

English: 20 - French: 9
Greek: 3
German, Italian, Latin, Russian: 2
Spanish: 1



And on top of it, my favourite of all English novels, Wuthering Heights, is not in there.

The proportion isn't THAT bad. I have two Russian works alone, nevermind the Italian, German, and Roman.

Maybe you're counting American in with English though.

[Comte Arnau]

The proportion isn't THAT bad.

Well, as I said, while I think it's fair to include more works in English, I think that a proportion of 20 to 2 is a bit exaggerated.

Besides, the title should rather be Western Literature.

Not saying that any of those novels is not worth of inclusion, though. I know it's hard to make this kind of lists because I've also made quite a few.

Maybe you're counting American in with English though.

Of course.

[Lurker]

I voted for War and Peace. I think Russian literature from the 19th century is awesome.

[Pallantides]

[curupira]

Out of that list, the Decameron and War and Peace are by far my favourites. Both are awesome! The Mahabharata is far older than the vast majority of European literary works, and yet as great as any of those listed (actually greater than most listed in my opinion), I would mention it as an example of a non European literature masterpiece since no literary work by non Europeans were listed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabharata

[Murphy]

Surprised To Kill a Mockingbird isn't up there.

One of the most overrated monologues in literary history.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/32/Rye_catcher.jpg[/IMG]

The Catcher in the Rye is overrated. Holden Caulfield is simply a dick and I am sick and tired of everyone trying to construct him as some tragic and philosophical hero.

[Edmond_Dantes]

Well, my username should make my pick here fairly obvious. Crime and Punishment and The Hunchback of Notre Dame are up there too, as is the unlisted Wuthering Heights.

[Murphy]

as is the unlisted Wuthering Heights.

Heathcliff was simply a nutter.

[Edmond_Dantes]

Heathcliff was simply a nutter.

He was. Nutter protagonists are interesting, especially when they spiral down into the darkest depths of nuttery as he did. I could also personally heavily identify with the "love story gone terribly wrong" aspects of the tale.