Best 19th-century fiction?

[Sheilbh]

Meh.  The great Arabic poets are still great in translation.  Why does that not apply to the Koran?

I think translators are perhaps a bit prissier because they're translating a holy text not a poem - this happens with other scripture translations in my view, such as the Ramayana.  It's great because of the story I think it'd be better if someone translated it for the story.

In addition the Koran is an oral book, really.  From what I can tell it's not a book for silent read so much as reciting.  Again my understanding is that it's what it does to Arabic and how it plays with the language out-loud that makes it special.  There's always something lost when an oral tradition's written down.

As I say there's enough writers who are Arabic speakers and religious or not who say the Koran is remarkable as a work of literature for me to believe it.

[Valmy]

As I say there's enough writers who are Arabic speakers and religious or not who say the Koran is remarkable as a work of literature for me to believe it.

It is so central to the cultural pride and prestige of Arabic and Arabs in general excuse me for being a bit skeptical about their objectivity.  American rave about the genius of our Constitution as well.

Besides everybody knows Persian is superior for poetry 

[Eddie Teach]

It doesn't remind me of poetry. It reminds me of a collection of sermons.

[CountDeMoney]

Meh.  The great Arabic poets are still great in translation.  Why does that not apply to the Koran?

I think translators are perhaps a bit prissier because they're translating a holy text not a poem - this happens with other scripture translations in my view, such as the Ramayana.  It's great because of the story I think it'd be better if someone translated it for the story.

In addition the Koran is an oral book, really.  From what I can tell it's not a book for silent read so much as reciting.  Again my understanding is that it's what it does to Arabic and how it plays with the language out-loud that makes it special.  There's always something lost when an oral tradition's written down.

Ovid agrees.

[mongers]

On the subject of Dickens:

Charles Dickens: Six things he gave the modern world

With the 200th birthday of Charles Dickens quickly approaching, and an entire series of events planned, what is the lasting legacy of his work and his causes?

Charles Dickens is one of the most important writers of the 19th Century. But his influence goes far beyond just literature. Many of his phrases, characters and ideas have engrained themselves in modern culture.

Two centuries on, what are the things still seen today that Dickens first offered us in his writing?
.......

rest of article here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/magazine-16184487

[Richard Hakluyt]

Meri, you might also like Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K Jerome. First of all it is rather funny. Secondly, it is a surprisingly modern book as the three men are normal middle class blokes with jobs and a bit of spare cash..........ie they are just like us. When I was younger I thought it was pretty lightweight stuff, but I really enjoyed a recent reread.

[merithyn]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tenant_of_Wildfell_Hall

Great call.

[Ender]

I'm looking for good books to read published on or before 1910.

Suggestions?

Salgary, hands down.

[Ender]

Lovecraft? No, he published later in the 20th century.

[Habbaku]

I'm looking for good books to read published on or before 1910.

Suggestions?

Salgary, hands down.

Things that you make up don't count.

[Ender]

I'm looking for good books to read published on or before 1910.

Suggestions?

Salgary, hands down.

Things that you make up don't count.

Emilio Salgari, italian writter, 1862-1911.
Sandokan, Il Corsaro Nero (The Black Corsair), Capitan Tempesta (Captain Storm), etc.