Grack21 Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 Do any of the Icelandic Sagas count? Cause they are all awesome.I'd like to do this someday when i don't already have a billion books to read. Non fiction counts too, right?And I've been meaning to read Les Mes for like, 15 years now, maybe I should do that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Iceman of the North Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 There's plenty of options for Norway, like the already mentioned Icelandic Sagas that's mainly about Norway. But one recommendation, although I haven't read them, are the Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy by Sigrid Undset (The Wreath, the Wife, and the Cross), historical fiction set in 14th Century Norway which Undset won the Nobel Price for back in 1928.For Greenland, I'd rather recommend something more modern, like Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Høeg, which is better considering which people have been living on the island for most of the past millennium. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liadin Posted May 5, 2011 Author Share Posted May 5, 2011 Do any of the Icelandic Sagas count? Cause they are all awesome.I'd like to do this someday when i don't already have a billion books to read. Non fiction counts too, right?Yes, provided it's of a decent length and tries to go in-depth. Basically any history book would count. Lonely Planet guides or picture books not so much.And I see no reason you couldn't count the Icelandic Sagas if you wanted to.There's plenty of options for Norway, like the already mentioned Icelandic Sagas that's mainly about Norway. But one recommendation, although I haven't read them, are the Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy by Sigrid Undset (The Wreath, the Wife, and the Cross), historical fiction set in 14th Century Norway which Undset won the Nobel Price for back in 1928.This is on my TBR list. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L’Age d’or Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 You're right, the thread title really should be "read a book about every country," but I can't figure out how to change it. There's a group on Goodreads doing this that is much more interested in the author's country of origin than the setting of the novel, and I'm the opposite. (So long as people from that country aren't decrying the author as an ignoramus, I'm good with it.) But it could be done any way round really.Heart of Darkness is a very well written novel and a must read IMO, but it has always been criticized for dehumanization of Africans, so if its the country you want to know about thats not the book to go for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cylux Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 Very interesting concept! I may have to take you up on it! =PAs an avid reader I am interested in many different cultures. Maybe I'll use some of the books you read as recommendations =) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vegan Rob Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 May I suggest "Allah is not Obliged" by Ahmadou Kourouma for Ivory CoastIt's about child soldiers and is both very funny and very harrowing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuietColours Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 I love this idea! I put together this just from going through my bookshelf:United States: ManyCanada: Catseye, by Margaret AtwoodEngland: ManyScotland: A Stranger Came Ashore, by Mollie HunterWales: The Grey King, by Susan CooperIreland: Do Penance or Perish, by Frances FinneganFrance: Les Miserables, by Victor HugoGermany: The Book Thief, by Markus ZusakItaly: Daughter of Venice, by Donna Jo NapoliNorway: Sophie’s World, by Jostein Gaarder?Denmark: Number the Stars, by Lois LowryGreece: Oedipus Rex, or Edith Hamilton’s MythologyRussia: Russian Fairy Tales, Collected by Aleksandr Afanasev, translated by Norbert GutermanJapan: Shogun, by James ClavellNorth Korea: Nothing to Envy, by Barbara DemikVietnam: When Heaven and Earth Changed Places, by Le Ly HayslipChina: Chinese Cinderella, by Adeline Yen MahNigeria: Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe?Hungary: I Have Lived a Thousand Years, by Livia Bitton-Jackson?Chile: Ines of My Soul, by Isanbel Allendebut I've always been more of a library person than a buyer, especially since I was in college; I've only just really started to buy books again. I'm going to have to go through my memory and see what I can find that I've read. I rejected all the "Horrible History" books I collected in late elementary school for this--somehow, they just didn't seem appropriate. I'd like a better China and Italy book as well--I'm sure I've read more books taking place in/about Italy. For China, I'd honestly just really like to find a readable comprehensive history. My list is definitely lacking in Africa and South America, so that's where I'll start first.Thanks for this idea! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liadin Posted May 6, 2011 Author Share Posted May 6, 2011 but I've always been more of a library person than a buyer, especially since I was in college; I've only just really started to buy books again. I'm going to have to go through my memory and see what I can find that I've read. I rejected all the "Horrible History" books I collected in late elementary school for this--somehow, they just didn't seem appropriate. I'd like a better China and Italy book as well--I'm sure I've read more books taking place in/about Italy. For China, I'd honestly just really like to find a readable comprehensive history. My list is definitely lacking in Africa and South America, so that's where I'll start first.Nice list! It's hard with the kids' books, and I'm a library person too (can I count Number the Stars when I didn't remember that it took place in Denmark?). On the Italy thing--I feel like I've read lots of Italy, but that must be because so many books taking place mostly in England have Italy sequences (and so many fantasy authors like to borrow cultural elements from Italy). Can't think of a single title that took place primarily in Italy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valacirca Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 For The Philippines: Noli Me Tangere and/or El filibusterismo (this is the sequel) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nerf Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 I really like the idea, let's what I got of the top of my headItaly- many (being from there and stuff)France- some Dumas, some BalzacSpain- the fencing master, alatriste saga by Perez-reverteUK- manyUSA- manyJapan- many (Does Ishiguro count?)China- Dream of the Red Chamber by Cao XueqinHong kong- Tai-pan by James ClavellMalaysia- Tigers of malaysia series by SalgariCongo- heart of darkness by ConradRussia- Night's watch series by Luk'anjenkoSweden- The knight templar trilogy by jan guillouFinland- The Best Village in the World by Arto PaasilinnaIran- whirlwind by ClavellSouth africa, Zimbabwe- many by wilbur SmithIndia- Kim, the jungle books by kiplingNetherlands- The Silver Skates by Mapes DodgeHungary- The Paul Street Boys by F. MolnarEgypt- river god and some others by Wilbur SmithPolinesia, Hawaii- South sea tales by StevensonGreece- some classics, Talos's shield by Valerio Massimo ManfrediCanada- white fang by Jack London (Yukon is in Canada right?)Greenland- Odinn's Child by Tim SeverinCuba- The old man and the sea by HemingwayArabia- Arabian nights anthologyGermany- "tod und Teufel" (I don't know the english title, in Italy is known as "the devil in the cathedral") by F. schatzingBelgium- Niccolò rising by Dorothy dunnetIreland- red branch by Morgan LlewellynAfghanistan- Lie down with lions by ken FollettSingapore- King rat by clavellnot bad, all in all, some of them just take place in those countries, but I left out those that encompasse a lot of countries (Il Milione by Marco Polo for example or Jack aubrey saga by P. O'brian)but I definitely have a lack in south america... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuietColours Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 Nice list! It's hard with the kids' books, and I'm a library person too (can I count Number the Stars when I didn't remember that it took place in Denmark?). On the Italy thing--I feel like I've read lots of Italy, but that must be because so many books taking place mostly in England have Italy sequences (and so many fantasy authors like to borrow cultural elements from Italy). Can't think of a single title that took place primarily in Italy.I don't see why not--it's definitely a story about the Danish people during World War II. I think the problem with a lot of the Italy books I've read are just too speculative; for whatever reason, it's not a country I focus on in more historical fiction. I have read a decent amount of Caesar, Virgil, Cicero, and Ovid. Would those count? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grack21 Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 For Ancient Greece, Gene Wolfe's Latro in The Mist is a must. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gronkie Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 I'd definately recommend Cry the Beloved Country by Alan Paton for South Africa. Laurens van der Post's books on Southern Africa are worth a read as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
automne Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 Most of the books I read are set either in my own country or in the UK/US.Here are wo books I'd like to recommend:Benny and Shrimp by Katarina Mazetti (Sweden)The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy (India) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ormond Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 I really disagree with the idea of using the Bible for Israel, anything set in the Roman Empire for Italy, or even the Sagas for Iceland. I certainly wouldn't recommend somebody read Gilgamesh with the idea that it was an "Iraqi" book, either. When you get more than 1000 years in the past you are talking about such different worlds that I don't think you are necessarily understanding the culture of the modern countries at all by reading books set way back then. A few added suggestions:Congo-Brazzaville (not the former Zaire): Little Boys Come From the Stars by Emmanuel Dongala.Turkey: The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak or Bliss by Zülfü Livaneli.Indonesia: This Earth of Mankind, Child of All Nations, or The Girl From the Coast by Pramoedya Ananta Toer.Somalia: Links by Nuruddin Farah.Taiwan: A Thousand Moons on a Thousand Rivers bu Xiao Lihong.India: Nectar in a Sieve by Kamala Markandaya.Peru: Who Killed Palomino Molero? or other novels by Mario Vargas Llosa.Iraq: The Last of the Angels by Fadil Azzawi.Israel: Shira by Shmuel Agnon; Fima by Amos Oz; The Saturday Morning Murder (and the rest of the mystery series featuring detective Michael Ohayon) by Batya GurAlbania: The File on H by Ismail Kadare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Datepalm Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 I really disagree with the idea of using the Bible for Israel, anything set in the Roman Empire for Italy, or even the Sagas for Iceland. I certainly wouldn't recommend somebody read Gilgamesh with the idea that it was an "Iraqi" book, either. When you get more than 1000 years in the past you are talking about such different worlds that I don't think you are necessarily understanding the culture of the modern countries at all by reading books set way back then. Agreed. I wouldn't count really historical historicals like Wilbur Smith for Egypt either. I'm not sure where exactly the cutoff is, but its more recent that Ancient Egypt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nerf Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 I really disagree with the idea of using the Bible for Israel, anything set in the Roman Empire for Italy, or even the Sagas for Iceland. I certainly wouldn't recommend somebody read Gilgamesh with the idea that it was an "Iraqi" book, either. When you get more than 1000 years in the past you are talking about such different worlds that I don't think you are necessarily understanding the culture of the modern countries at all by reading books set way back then. I don't agree, ancient Rome Is Italy at its core, was and is so influencial on the subsequent history and literature that is impossible to extricate it from the Italian culture and ethos, same goes for the Bible, hebrews ARE the people from the Bible, just like the arabian culture is indissolubly connected with the Quran.I admit that something like Wilbur Smith's novels are more of a stretch, but if they convey a sense of history of a place, they're fair game, as far as i'm concerned (I never even knew what Rodhesia was before picking up one of those books)Edit: ok, after re-reading the OP, I think I may have widened the scope a little bit, I assumed that a book set in a certain country would have been enough, if it has to be "about" a certain country I have to revisit my criteria, but I stand by my earlier statements, ancient history, but relevant country-wise, should be fair game (more so than books only set in that country)thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liadin Posted May 7, 2011 Author Share Posted May 7, 2011 Edit: ok, after re-reading the OP, I think I may have widened the scope a little bit, I assumed that a book set in a certain country would have been enough, if it has to be "about" a certain country I have to revisit my criteria, but I stand by my earlier statements, ancient history, but relevant country-wise, should be fair game (more so than books only set in that country)I think it's sort of a sliding scale. In my mind, a book that conveys a strong sense of place is enough, whether or not it's intended to "introduce readers to the country" or whatever. I would not count a book where the country is just a generic backdrop for a murder mystery or romance or whatever.That's why I'm still hesitant about counting Number the Stars, even though it does take place in Denmark--because I don't remember the Denmark thing, I must not have learned anything about the country, and I remember the book as sort of a generic occupied-WW2 background that might with a few tweaks have taken place in Poland or wherever. It's been years so I might be being totally unfair to the book and just skipped over all the Denmark stuff because I was an ignorant kid--but that's where I'm drawing the line between a book that "took place" in a country and a book "about" the country. A couple of the books I listed are a bit frivolous, but I'm still using them because they had a strong sense of place. Of course, you can draw the line wherever you like in your own reading. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liadin Posted May 9, 2011 Author Share Posted May 9, 2011 Can you kill two birds with one stone? Like, if you read Midnight's Children can you cross India and Pakistan off of the list?I haven't read Midnight's Children, but my inclination is to say no--a book can only be primarily set in one country, and allowing multiples heads you toward the "Around the World in 80 Days" slippery slope--where do you draw the line? Another of Rushdie's books, Shalimar the Clown, has a significant chunk of the book set in France, but don't you think EB would put me on ignore if I listed it for France and figured that was the only book I ever needed to read about his country? :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liadin Posted May 9, 2011 Author Share Posted May 9, 2011 Hmmm...this makes things more challenging, but you're probably right. Do they have to be either regular literary fiction or at least minimally spec-fic like Hundred Years of Solitude, or can one, for example, use Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell for the UK?I would count Jonathan Strange because it's a very English book, even though it does present an alternate-history England. Although I would question how it happened that you never read any other books set in England. :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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