Category Archives: 20th Century Classics

The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis is one of my favourite books. It’s a book about the Christian life written in the form of letters from a senior to a junior devil, who is tasked with sabotaging the spiritual life … Continue reading

Posted in 20th Century Classics, British, Christian, Christian Living, Christian Non-fiction, Classic, Comedy, Epistolary Novel, Fantasy, Fiction, General adult audience, Novel, Speculative Fiction, Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hornblower by C. S. Forester

The Hornblower novels by C.S. Forester are a terrific blend of plot and characterisation. Set during the Napoleonic wars, they are action packed and fast moving but this action also serves to develop the complex character of Horatio Hornblower. Even … Continue reading

Posted in 20th Century Classics, British, Episodic Novel, Fiction, General adult audience, Historical Fiction, Novel, War Story, Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Void by Georges Perec (trans. Gilbert Adair)

What to say about this book? A lipogram writ by a Parisian of Oulipo’s school, using all but our fifth, most significant sign. Now (amazing!) put in words for a Briton or Australian too. A cast looks for a missing … Continue reading

Posted in 20th Century Classics, Classic, Fiction, French, General adult audience, Mystery, Novel, Parody | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque

All Quiet on the Western Front provides a great insightinto the human cost of World War I as it portrays a generation of men whose formative years are spent in the trenches. Remarque weaves narrative together with reflections on the … Continue reading

Posted in 20th Century Classics, Fiction, General adult audience, Novel, Realism, War Story | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons

Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons is an hilarious 1930s novel about Flora Post, a young woman with no useful skills but a strong desire for tidiness. She goes to live with the very untidy Starkadder family at Cold Comfort … Continue reading

Posted in 20th Century Classics, British, Comedy, General adult audience, Melodrama, Novel, Parody, Pastoral novel, Speculative Fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment