Round 2 Tiebreaker, Group B

[Jean]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f4/Godfather-Novel-Cover.png/175px-Godfather-Novel-Cover.png VS. http://j.livelib.ru/boocover/1000145104/l/73b7/Henry_James__The_Turn_of_the_Screw_Case_Studies_in _Contemporary_Criticism.jpgVS. http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFgxMDY3/z/PywAAOxyaTxRN8N-/$(KGrHqRHJDYFEz9yfH2BBRN8N-zI6!~~60_35.JPG

[Jean]

War and Peace!

[mae]

No doubt.

[BROWNINGS CHILDE]

I wonder how many that voted for War and Peace actually read the whole thing.

[Merlin1958]

I read it, but much like "Moby Dick" I had to force myself to complete it. Great literature it certainly is, but a good read? IDFTS

"The Godfather" was way more entertaining IMHO

[pathoftheturtle]

Honestly, it depends. I wanted to read all of War and Peace when I was in my teens, but it felt so slow and dry I couldn't stick to it. In my late 20s though, I got into it much more readily. Viewpoints. Also, it can depend on translation. Some language scholars aren't prioritizing readability for typical audiences.

[Jean]

I think it was the translation. Tolstoy is perfectly readable, and very entertaining. I love Dostoyevsky a lot more, but War and Peace is good not only as a "great work", but actually as an enjoyable read.

[BROWNINGS CHILDE]

How much political/historical context would one need to know to properly enjoy the novel?

[Jean]

I don't really know if you have to read it. If you want to read some Russian classics, I think you should start with Dostoyevsky. I know Mattrick loves him too, so I believe the translations must be passable.

[BROWNINGS CHILDE]

Suggestion?

[Jean]

The Karamazov Brothers!!! it's fantastic. The Idiot is no less awesome, plus it is shorter and probably an easier read. And my personal favorite is The Village of Stepanchikovo. And Demons, of course!!!

all in all, you should probably start with The Idiot

[Jean]

The poll is closed, with Puzo and James tied. Decisive tiebreaker up soon

[BROWNINGS CHILDE]

Thanks Jean, adding The Idiot to the list.