Thursday, January 21, 2010

Booking Through Thursday: Favorite Unknown

btt button

Who’s your favorite author that other people are NOT reading? The one you want to evangelize for, the one you would run popularity campaigns for? The author that, so far as you’re concerned, everyone should be reading–but that nobody seems to have heard of. You know, not JK Rowling, not Jane Austen, not Hemingway–everybody’s heard of them. The author that you think should be that famous and can’t understand why they’re not…

I have two- one who really is sort of famous and one who isn't. My first choice is Iris Murdoch, a British writer who won the Booker Prize in 1978 for The Sea, The Sea, about a theater man who retires to a small cottage by the sea, only to become obsessed with a woman he had loved when he was younger. It's wonderful! I also read her The Black Prince and Nuns and Soldiers, both serious, complex novels. Murdoch was the subject of the film "Iris" with Jim Broadbent and Judi Densch and one of the 20th century's most brilliant novelists, critics and philosophers. I'd like to see more younger people reading her. She's really amazing.

The second writer I'd like more people to read is the Croatian-American writer Josip Novakovich- actually, I need to read more of him myself. Several years ago I read his fabulous collection of short stories, Yolk, about the Balkan Wars. I remember being absolutely enchanted and haven't gotten it out of my mind since. He's got more books out- more stories and a novel, and I have them in my piles of TBRs somewhere, I know. I need to make time for them- and you should, too!

You can read more Booking Through Thursday answers here.

15 comments:

Jennifer said...

I am adding Novakovich to my list of new authors. My BTT: http://www.rundpinne.com/2010/01/booking-through-thursday-21-january.html

Susan said...

More to add to my library list :) My favorite relatively unknown author is Brian S. Matthews. Here's my full response.

Alayne said...

Good answers both, though I've never heard of them, that's the whole point! My pick is at The Crowded Leaf.

bookmagic said...

I tried reading a couple of Murdoch books but just could not click with them. I'd never heard of the other author so i will check him out. thanks

Blodeuedd said...

Have not read Murdoch, and not even heard about the other guy. Shall do what i always do, Google :)

Anonymous said...

You did much better than I did, mine were authors people had probably heard of, though Gwen Cooper less so.

I've not heard of either of yours, and now have to go check them out :-)

bermudaonion said...

They're both new to me, so I'm writing them down. Thanks for the suggestions.

Michelle said...

I keep running into Iris Murdoch and meaning to read her, but never do!

I'll have to hunt down "The Sea, The Sea" and try it out.

Anonymous said...

Murdoch is a great choice. I have never read her but that I should now.

The Commander said...

There's a wonderful book by Russell Greenan called "It Happened in Boston?" about an anachronistic artist in the 60s who decides it's high time he had a little talk with God about his design flaws. The only problem is that our hero's route to God must be paved with seven sacrificed people.
It was written in the 60s, and is well worth a search, if you like your fiction with a large dose of absurdity and humor

jlshall said...

Iris Murdoch is one of my favorites, although I haven't read anything by her in several years now. Have to admit I've never heard of your second pick, but I'll definitely be looking for his books.
Here's my answer.

JoAnn said...

Iris Murdoch is a great choice! The Sea, The Sea is all I've read, but The Bell is on my shelf. Haven't heard of Novakovich... will look him up.

Anonymous said...

Josip Novakovich is an excellent author. I read and reviewed his book, Infidelities, a while back. It is compelling and well- written, giving us much to ponder. http://jewwishes.wordpress.com/2008/08/22/jew-wishes-on-infidelities-by-josip-novakovich/

Sorry about the link, I'm not trying to spam you. LOL

It doesn't surprise me that you recommend him. :)

wisteria said...

I just read some about The Black Prince and I have added it to my list. Thanks for bringing this to the surface. :)

Zibilee said...

I love Iris Murdoch! I have never heard of anyone else who reads her in all the time I have been reading. Have you read her book Under the Net? I thought it was great and think you might like it too. I still need to read more by her, so your recommendations are going on to the wish list. Thanks!