spatz | (no subject)

Okay, guys, I need book recommendations. We get to choose a book to write our final English paper about, and I need suggestions for something that I can create an original thesis for (emphasis on creativity). I'm tempted to choose a scifi/fantasy book just because they are so often overlooked critically, and I can prove my teacher's doubts wrong.

I mainly want a character that I can attach myself to for the course of the book. As long as the people intrigue me, I can get through anything. My teacher basically told us anything goes, as long as he clears it.

The current list:
A Lesson Before Dying
anything by Heinlein (feminist interpretation, i.e. snarking)
The Borders of Infinity (novella by Lois McMaster Bujold)
American Gods
Startide Rising
Enchantment, Briar Rose, something from that long list of fairytale retellings Jenny sent me (Jenny? any opinions?), or something from *my* long list of fairytale retellings to-be-read
The Killer Angels (which might be too long and depressing)
Neuromancer

My friends are considering:
The Things They Carried
Philip K. Dick (Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, The Man in the High Castle)
A Clockwork Orange

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*cackles* M'dear, haven't you figured out by now that I have an almost indecent amount of ideas?

American Gods is a good option- it seems to fit your needs and I imagine you'll love it. Enchantment might be a good one, but several people I know had a hard time becoming attached to the characters.

Stardust by Neil Gaiman might also work. I could see you getting along with the characters fairly well. And Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister might also be fun- what sort of books are you looking for, precisely? Besides the fantasy/scifi bit.

Overall, though, I'd go with American Gods in your position. *nods* That's my opinion, and I shall stick to it until I wake up tomorrow afternoon, see this post again, and have dozens of ideas.

I was hoping you'd say that ;)

American Gods also has the benefit of being the book I'm currently reading for fun ;)

I loved Stardust, but I'm not sure if I want to write about it. See, we need to have a three-part thesis that addresses three of the topics he listed for us, or that are of our own creation (with clearance). Things like theme, comparison with other novels from the year, formalist analysis, historicist (relation to historical context), authorial influence, comparison to other works by the author, thematic/historical relation to other works, effect on society/culture/thought/politics, or revelation of same, style.

I'm not sure what'd I'd address on Enchantment. Theme, revealment of modern thought, archetypal analysis? Plus, it'd be nice to read something I've not read before.

So, I want something with good characters, originality, and powerful writing. Not too picky, am I?

I adore American Gods, and there is just so much you can write about it. If you want other books, though, I'd reccomend King Rat or Perdido St. Station by China Miéville. I adore him, and this texts are always rich and make for great discussion.

ENDER'S GAME! So. Freaking. Psychological.

Already taken, darlin'. Plus, I think I did something with it in 9th grade, for a free-reading selection. *Awesome* book, though

Hmm. Then. I'm tapped.

BTW, I finished the Amber Spyglass and was wildly disapointed. I didn't like the findings that they came up with. "GAWD IZ DED" isn't really my thing. :-/

Yeah, I was a bit iffy on the ending myself, but more because of Lyra/Will than anything else. I mean-- sweet, yes, but plausible? Not so much. Pullman writes sleekly, and he's a great craftsman of worlds, but his characters don't always snap with me.