The Big Read

[Foxbat]

Wasn't sure where to stick this topic - a TV show about books.
The UK's favourite 100 to be precise.
There were some surprises and some forgone conclusions. For me, the biggest surprise was the fact that both Frankenstein and Dracula were missing whilst Jeffrey Archer was in
A good showing of childrens books but the guy who said that JK Rowling can't write was a bit harsh I thought. The start of a backlash methinks?
Ok, she's not writing the Great British Novel but she's getting kids reading again and, whether you like or dislike her prose, that's good enough.
Top 21 for the public vote. My vote went for To Kill A Mockingbird. I think that, probably, with the imminent release of The Return of The King at the cinemas in the UK, LOTR will win it.
An interesting programme and a tantalising look at the nations literary mindset although, sometimes I felt there was a bit of sour grapes around the table of critics. What's that they say about critics being failed artists/musicians/writers?(delete as required)

 

[littlemissattitude]

No "Dracula"? That's appalling. It's not only a good, frightening story, it's great literature. No kidding. Is there somewhere on the internet where the list is posted? I'd love to see it.

It's interesting to think what the list would look like if this were done here in the States. Of course, no one over here reads.

Yes, I'm just kiddling. But sometimes I wonder.

 

[Foxbat]

You can check out the top 100 here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/bigread

 

[littlemissattitude]

Thanks. Interesting list. I was wondering, though - was it stipulated that the list be only made up of novels? I would have thought at least a few non-fiction books would have shown up there, but in glancing over the list I didn't see any. I mean, while I love reading fiction, many of my favorite books are actually non-fiction. Just me, I guess.

 

[Incognito]

Not really taken an interest in "the Big Read". Like Britain's "best" Briton, it seems like too much superficial hype - - - a way for the BBC to justify it's public funding.

Or maybe I'm just too boring for anything that requires public excitement.