Literature - EvBoard

ChocolateFiend · 10-26-2005, 04:48 PM

Literature is wonderful, because we can learn something new about the world around us, gain insight into other people's thoughts, and just entertain ourselves. Here are some questions to think about:

1. What's your favorite genre?
2. What perspective do find most interesting to read? (I.E. First Person, Omniscient, Limited, etc...)
3. Do you like literature where you learn something about the world?

I'll start: My favorite genre is the gothic/romantic genre. It was part of the eighteenth and nineteenth century literary movement. People moved away from what typical literature was like and really made people explore new types of thoughts and opinions. There was also a lot of material that could be worked on. (By romantic I do not mean 'love', I mean the kind where you could express yourself differently than everyone else did.
My favorite perspective to read from is third person limited narration, because you can see what many different people are thinking.
I like literature that allows you to see what it's like to live in someone else's world ("To Kill a Mockingbird", for example)
I looked many times through the search engine, but none of them were about literature as a whole. They were either about your favorite book or author, and I wanted to expand from something like that. Please don't neg rep me for this.

**Lowercountry** · 10-26-2005, 04:51 PM

My favorite genre leans towards writers such as Poe, King, etc.

miss jessica · 10-26-2005, 05:01 PM

I like old literature. I tend to sometimes write with old English like they did back then(this can cause some people to not understand so well because some dont take to that kind of thing). I like 3rd person,but I'm also a huge fan of 1st person. I like to know whats on one individuals mind insted of a large portion of people. I do like things where I learn about the world. Learing about the world can mean many things though. It can show how one person feels about a topic,or how a group feels about a topic. I perfer just one,but either way,it doesnt really matter to me.
-Jessica

templar exile · 10-26-2005, 05:04 PM

This is a great topic. I'd have to say I don't have any one particular genre that I prefer over any other. I do however really enjoy the following authors:

Tolkien, Poe, H P Lovecraft, Dostoevsky, Emily Bronte, Agatha Christie, Miss Read, Solzhenitsyn, M C Beaton, Bernard Cornwell, Sir Walter Scott, Kenneth Graham, Brian Jacques, C S Lewis, John Masefield and Raymond Briggs.

So, yeah, I like most genres really-anything but Mills and Boons type stuff (yuk!).

heartstringz · 10-26-2005, 05:04 PM

1. Ok, well I don't really have one favourite genre. I love adventure and fantasy but I also read a lot of the old books (not sure what you'd call that genre, but all the books like Gone With the Wind, Emma etc).

Seeing as most other people seem to be doing their favourite authors here are mine - Tolkein, Catherine Cookson, Trudi Canavan, Bryce Courtney, John Marsden, Patrick O'Brian, Charlotte Bronte.

2. I think it depends on the book. Sometimes first person suits and sometimes third person.

3. I read all the old books because it intrigues me to read about what life was like back then, all the clothes they wore etc - how much life has changed today.

Scratchy · 10-26-2005, 05:53 PM

I love classical literature, both foreign and russian, and detectives.
Have a long list of writers, can't even remember, first who come on mind are Agatha Christie, Oscar Wild, Edgar Alan Poe, Victor Hugo, Somerset Moem, from Rus litreture it's Dostoevsky, Chehov, Pushkin, etc.

nostalgicdemise · 10-26-2005, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ice Blue Fire

My favorite perspective to read from is third person limited narration, because you can see what many different people are thinking.

I think that you meant third person omniscient.

I like third person limited, because you can't see what everyone else is thinking. It has the "show, don't tell" mindset, and it gives a more realistic feel to the world.

I mostly read fantasy fiction, but I don't really have a genre preference. I like books. If I like how it's written, I'll read it regardless of what it's about. I read mostly fantasy because I plan on starting my dumb novel one day.

Favorite authors include: Rowling (naturally), Weis & Hickman, Grisham, King, and the like.

Phoenix Fires · 10-26-2005, 07:04 PM

1. What's your favorite genre? I really like biographies and autobiographies, but not celebrity ones. I read them when they are set during trying times because I think it makes me understand human nature better.
I also like fantasy, histories, love Stephen Kings work indeed (except Thinner, which I didn't like), loads of random things really. I'll read anything even if it's really really long. I like some Shakespeare stuff, mainly Macbeth though, I absolutely love Macbeth, I think it's one of the best things that I've read. I also like Steinbeck. Epic stories I like, like Cold Mountain by Charles Fraser. And dramatic books like Birdsong (I've forgotten the author) are attractive to me also.

2. What perspective do find most interesting to read? Autobiographies are always in a first person so I like that, but in other things I prefer narratives and I don't like it when authors jump back and forth from characters or people, it kills the pace a bit.

3. Do you like literature where you learn something about the world? That's almost always the exclusive reason for me reading biographies and autobiographies. I read them especially for the 20th century. I've read quite a few books set in Red China because I think reading those kinds of books and not history books, are better for understanding. Also read some other ones. I think readings things like that is important to understand the world today and where it came from, and what it's going to become. Especially because you can't often find someone willing to talk about a certain subject, and then books help.
Literature like the Bronte sisters is important to learn about the world because believe it or not, you can learn a lot about the (specifically English and not Welsh, Scottish or Irish) history of the UK in things like Pride and Prejudice

amy

Cuthbert · 10-26-2005, 11:25 PM

I love dystopian literature - 1984, Brave New World, Handmaid's Tale, etc. Can't really explain why, I just find this genre interesting. (I'm also fascinated by modern dictatorships, so perhaps that explains it.) Also, I'm very much interested in Russian history; which is why I love Russian literature. Solzhenitsyn's one of my favourite authors - he wrote quite a bit about the Stalin regime and its atrocities. What captured my interest the most was the book "One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich" in which he describes life in a labour camp from his own personal experiences in a camp - it gives much insight into the Stalin regime from a personal perspective. In any case, I enjoy contemporary literature much more than classics, mostly because I can relate its themes to present day society. Of course, there are some works that are just timeless, but as time and society changes, often political and cultural themes are lost (or no longer have the same effect) in literature.

The first-person is definitely my favourite point of view (to read and to write in.) It conveys a person's own experiences in a situation rather than simply describe it as an outsider. In a sense, the reader can "live" or "experience" the book and become a part of the plot. Stream of consciousness = my favourite type of narration

In writing, I also find that the first person point of view is more expressive emotionally - it is definitely harder to use this POV in a plot driven book, but in a character or thematically driven book, 1st person is by far more descriptive. It conveys emotions and feelings that cannot be described objectively, and which seem unrealistic and detached from the character if an omniscent POV if used.

Crystal Tears · 10-27-2005, 04:45 PM

What's your favorite genre?
I like fantasy, romantic, and gothic literature. Just recently I've fallen in love with A Great and Terrible Beauty and Rebel Angels, by Libba Bray.

What perspective do find most interesting to read?
I don't know if I could choose. I like third person limited omniscient, but also first person - especially if it's present tense.

Do you like literature where you learn something about the world?
I like books that actually make me think, and maybe change the way I think about something. The best books I've read have helped me understand things about myself and people around me more than anything.

10-26-2005, 04:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
ChocolateFiend Formerly Ice Blue Fire Join Date: Jun 2005 Age: 18 Posts: 1,214 Points: 1,287.84 Bank: 28,028.44 Total Points: 29,316.28 Donate	Literature Literature is wonderful, because we can learn something new about the world around us, gain insight into other people's thoughts, and just entertain ourselves. Here are some questions to think about: 1. What's your favorite genre? 2. What perspective do find most interesting to read? (I.E. First Person, Omniscient, Limited, etc...) 3. Do you like literature where you learn something about the world? I'll start: My favorite genre is the gothic/romantic genre. It was part of the eighteenth and nineteenth century literary movement. People moved away from what typical literature was like and really made people explore new types of thoughts and opinions. There was also a lot of material that could be worked on. (By romantic I do not mean 'love', I mean the kind where you could express yourself differently than everyone else did. My favorite perspective to read from is third person limited narration, because you can see what many different people are thinking. I like literature that allows you to see what it's like to live in someone else's world ("To Kill a Mockingbird", for example) I looked many times through the search engine, but none of them were about literature as a whole. They were either about your favorite book or author, and I wanted to expand from something like that. Please don't neg rep me for this.

10-26-2005, 05:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
heartstringz Princess of Denial Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Queensland, Australia Age: 24 Posts: 741 Points: 4,868.21 Bank: 3,092.25 Total Points: 7,960.46 Donate	1. Ok, well I don't really have one favourite genre. I love adventure and fantasy but I also read a lot of the old books (not sure what you'd call that genre, but all the books like Gone With the Wind, Emma etc). Seeing as most other people seem to be doing their favourite authors here are mine - Tolkein, Catherine Cookson, Trudi Canavan, Bryce Courtney, John Marsden, Patrick O'Brian, Charlotte Bronte. 2. I think it depends on the book. Sometimes first person suits and sometimes third person. 3. I read all the old books because it intrigues me to read about what life was like back then, all the clothes they wore etc - how much life has changed today. __________________ RIP Chris 1989-2007 - hope you are in a better place where you can be at peace and not in pain. You were one cool kid mate! Last edited by heartstringz : 10-26-2005 at 05:08 PM.

10-26-2005, 05:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
Scratchy pwns Shiver Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Saint-Petersburg, Russia Posts: 4,265 Points: 17,296.11 Bank: 46,959,055.46 Total Points: 46,976,351.57 Donate	I love classical literature, both foreign and russian, and detectives. Have a long list of writers, can't even remember, first who come on mind are Agatha Christie, Oscar Wild, Edgar Alan Poe, Victor Hugo, Somerset Moem, from Rus litreture it's Dostoevsky, Chehov, Pushkin, etc. __________________ . I'm proud to announce that Shivercide is now part of the board's E.V.I.L forces, thanks to me!

10-26-2005, 07:04 PM	#8 (permalink)
Phoenix Fires Cheburashka Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: UK Age: 22 Posts: 3,417 Points: 1,068.24 Bank: 1,679,012.81 Total Points: 1,680,081.05 Donate	1. What's your favorite genre? I really like biographies and autobiographies, but not celebrity ones. I read them when they are set during trying times because I think it makes me understand human nature better. I also like fantasy, histories, love Stephen Kings work indeed (except Thinner, which I didn't like), loads of random things really. I'll read anything even if it's really really long. I like some Shakespeare stuff, mainly Macbeth though, I absolutely love Macbeth, I think it's one of the best things that I've read. I also like Steinbeck. Epic stories I like, like Cold Mountain by Charles Fraser. And dramatic books like Birdsong (I've forgotten the author) are attractive to me also. 2. What perspective do find most interesting to read? Autobiographies are always in a first person so I like that, but in other things I prefer narratives and I don't like it when authors jump back and forth from characters or people, it kills the pace a bit. 3. Do you like literature where you learn something about the world? That's almost always the exclusive reason for me reading biographies and autobiographies. I read them especially for the 20th century. I've read quite a few books set in Red China because I think reading those kinds of books and not history books, are better for understanding. Also read some other ones. I think readings things like that is important to understand the world today and where it came from, and what it's going to become. Especially because you can't often find someone willing to talk about a certain subject, and then books help. Literature like the Bronte sisters is important to learn about the world because believe it or not, you can learn a lot about the (specifically English and not Welsh, Scottish or Irish) history of the UK in things like Pride and Prejudice amy __________________

10-26-2005, 11:25 PM	#9 (permalink)
Cuthbert Property of Kathryn ® Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: CANADA!! XD (More specifically, in Kathryn's bed) Age: 20 Posts: 993 Points: 269.22 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 269.22 Donate	I love dystopian literature - 1984, Brave New World, Handmaid's Tale, etc. Can't really explain why, I just find this genre interesting. (I'm also fascinated by modern dictatorships, so perhaps that explains it.) Also, I'm very much interested in Russian history; which is why I love Russian literature. Solzhenitsyn's one of my favourite authors - he wrote quite a bit about the Stalin regime and its atrocities. What captured my interest the most was the book "One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich" in which he describes life in a labour camp from his own personal experiences in a camp - it gives much insight into the Stalin regime from a personal perspective. In any case, I enjoy contemporary literature much more than classics, mostly because I can relate its themes to present day society. Of course, there are some works that are just timeless, but as time and society changes, often political and cultural themes are lost (or no longer have the same effect) in literature. The first-person is definitely my favourite point of view (to read and to write in.) It conveys a person's own experiences in a situation rather than simply describe it as an outsider. In a sense, the reader can "live" or "experience" the book and become a part of the plot. Stream of consciousness = my favourite type of narration In writing, I also find that the first person point of view is more expressive emotionally - it is definitely harder to use this POV in a plot driven book, but in a character or thematically driven book, 1st person is by far more descriptive. It conveys emotions and feelings that cannot be described objectively, and which seem unrealistic and detached from the character if an omniscent POV if used. Last edited by Cuthbert : 10-26-2005 at 11:30 PM.

10-26-2005, 04:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
Lowercountry EvBoard Consultant Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Southeast US Posts: 1,106 Points: 111,065.76 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 111,065.76 Donate	My favorite genre leans towards writers such as Poe, King, etc.

10-26-2005, 05:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
miss jessica -*country girl Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Soddy Daisy TN baby!! Posts: 956 Points: 3,184.95 Bank: 0.01 Total Points: 3,184.96 Donate	I like old literature. I tend to sometimes write with old English like they did back then(this can cause some people to not understand so well because some dont take to that kind of thing). I like 3rd person,but I'm also a huge fan of 1st person. I like to know whats on one individuals mind insted of a large portion of people. I do like things where I learn about the world. Learing about the world can mean many things though. It can show how one person feels about a topic,or how a group feels about a topic. I perfer just one,but either way,it doesnt really matter to me. -Jessica

10-26-2005, 05:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
templar exile Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Between Hope and Despair Age: 32 Posts: 177 Points: 362.00 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 362.00 Donate	This is a great topic. I'd have to say I don't have any one particular genre that I prefer over any other. I do however really enjoy the following authors: Tolkien, Poe, H P Lovecraft, Dostoevsky, Emily Bronte, Agatha Christie, Miss Read, Solzhenitsyn, M C Beaton, Bernard Cornwell, Sir Walter Scott, Kenneth Graham, Brian Jacques, C S Lewis, John Masefield and Raymond Briggs. So, yeah, I like most genres really-anything but Mills and Boons type stuff (yuk!).

10-27-2005, 04:45 PM	#10 (permalink)
Crystal Tears The Ugly Duckling Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: US Age: 19 Posts: 322 Points: 5,298.91 Bank: 1.33 Total Points: 5,300.24 Donate	What's your favorite genre? I like fantasy, romantic, and gothic literature. Just recently I've fallen in love with A Great and Terrible Beauty and Rebel Angels, by Libba Bray. What perspective do find most interesting to read? I don't know if I could choose. I like third person limited omniscient, but also first person - especially if it's present tense. Do you like literature where you learn something about the world? I like books that actually make me think, and maybe change the way I think about something. The best books I've read have helped me understand things about myself and people around me more than anything.

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