/lit/ - Literature

>>20592619
Possession: A Romance by A.S Byatt

>>20215331
I recommend A.S Byatt. Her novel "Possession: A Romance is one of the best books I have read in a long time. Here's a little synopsis from Wikipedia:

The novel follows two modern-day academics as they research the paper trail around the previously unknown love life between famous fictional poets Randolph Henry Ash and Christabel LaMotte. Possession is set both in the present day and the Victorian era, contrasting the two time periods, as well as echoing similarities and satirizing modern academia and mating rituals. The structure of the novel incorporates many different styles, including fictional diary entries, letters, and poetry, and uses these styles and other devices to explore the postmodern concerns of the authority of textual narratives. The title Possession highlights many of the major themes in the novel: questions of ownership and independence between lovers; the practice of collecting historically significant cultural artifacts; and the possession that biographers feel toward their subjects.

The novel concerns the relationship between two fictional Victorian poets, Randolph Henry Ash (whose life and work are loosely based on those of the English poet Robert Browning, or Alfred, Lord Tennyson, whose work is more consonant with the themes expressed by Ash, as well as Tennyson's having been poet-laureate to Queen Victoria) and Christabel LaMotte (based on Christina Rossetti),[3] as uncovered by present-day academics Roland Michell and Maud Bailey. Following a trail of clues from letters and journals, they collaborate to uncover the truth about Ash and LaMotte's relationship, before it is discovered by rival colleagues. Byatt provides extensive letters, poetry, and diaries by major characters in addition to the narrative, including poetry attributed to the fictional Ash and LaMotte.

>>19159901
Still one of the best novels I have ever read, and it's by a woman. Definitely recommend it.

>>16339801
Possession: A Romance by A.S Byatt. Absolutely ripped my heart out with how beautiful the love stories are tied together.

>Be A.S Byatt
>One of the best writer post-WWII England ever produced
>Knows more about Victorian poetry, society, and culture than most men
>Writes a book about how we have lost something in the modern era while implementing beautiful Victorian poetry that she wrote, and which could easily be hidden and pass off as Robert Browning and Emily Dickinson
>Fights against postmodernism and its taking away of values in society
>Writes an ending that will tear the fucking heart out of the coldest and dumbest incel

What was that again, OP?

>>16261830
There are a ton of female writers that I love, but A.S Byatt is probably my favourite. Hey novel Possession: A Romance weaves amazing Victorian poetics, criticism of literary academia, great prose, and its ending is absolutely beautiful.

One of my favourite British fiction novels I've ever read. The ending rips my fucking heart out and the poetry that's included is absolutely astounding. I am actually pretty impressed at how A.S Byatt is able to replicate Browning and Dickinson's poetics so well. Hopefully someone here has read it. Won the Booker Prize in 1990, I believe.

>>16232598
Possession: A Romance by A.S Byatt.

>>15950644
Not a "comfy" romance novel, but Possession: A Romance by A.S Byatt is a fantastic read with numerous allusions and references to Victorian literature. Here's a small synopsis from Wikipedia:

"The novel follows two modern-day academics as they research the paper trail around the previously unknown love life between famous fictional poets Randolph Henry Ash and Christabel LaMotte. Possession is set both in the present day and the Victorian era, contrasting the two time periods, as well as echoing similarities and satirising modern academia and mating rituals. The structure of the novel incorporates many different styles, including fictional diary entries, letters and poetry, and uses these styles and other devices to explore the postmodern concerns of the authority of textual narratives. The title Possession highlights many of the major themes in the novel: questions of ownership and independence between lovers; the practice of collecting historically significant cultural artefacts; and the possession that biographers feel toward their subjects."

>>15948558
It's a three way tie between Ulysses by James Joyce, Waterland by Graham Swift, and Possession: A Romance by A.S Byatt