What a Book Should Be

Message 514 of 6441

"The books we need are of the kind that act upon us like a misfortune, that make us suffer like the death of someone we love more than ourselves, that make us feel as though we were on the verge of suicide, or lost in a forest remote from all human habitation — a book should serve as the ax for the frozen sea within us.” Franz Kafka

What books would fit this description for you?

posted by searching1

Replies 21 - 24 of 24

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How about this as a counter to Kafka:

Except a living man there is nothing more wonderful than a book! A message to us from the dead, - from human souls whom we never saw, who lived perhaps thousands of miles away; and yet these, on those little sheets of paper, speak to us, teach us, comfort us, open their hearts to us as brothers. ~Charles Kingsley

posted by LHR514
4 months ago

The Poisonwood Bible and Prayer for Owen Meany.

posted by Birdie1
4 months ago

Oh goodness, i feel like i have dropped in on World Literature 303. Having enough drama in my own life, i read for pleasure but nothing beats a good story even if it is tragic. I would have to choose A Thousand Spendid Suns.