The last twelve years of reading fiction
A few weeks ago I shared a Mungowitz-organized meal with Michael Moses, whom I had not seen for about twelve (?) years. The question came up what truly impressive or startling fiction we each had read since our last chat, what had really stuck with us. My gut level, unreflective picks were the following, in no particular order:
Underworld, by Don DeLillo
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, by Susannah Clarke
The Obscene Bird of Night, by José Donoso
Alice Munro, short stories, various collections.
V, by Thomas Pynchon.
The Year of the Death of Ricardo Reis, by Jose Saramago
Juan Rulfo, Pedro Paramo
Julio Cortazar, Hopscotch [Rayuela]
I also might have named Henning Mankell or David Grossman's latest book and perhaps I have forgotten other good picks.