5 Books Every Man should Read
Words: Violet
Whether an avid book worm, or the kind of man who dips in and out of the novel-of-the-moment whilst sunning himself on holiday, there are certain books that every man should have read.
We have constructed our definitive list of the 10 best books that should already be on your book shelf. Here are the first five…
1. The Odyssey, Homer
A Greek epic poem which follows Odysseus on his journey home after the fall of Troy. All the powerful themes of human nature are covered: justice, vengeance, cunning, pride, fate and free will. Heavy but worth the effort.,
2. The Catcher in The Rye, J. D. Salinger
The ultimate story of teenage angst. Judgemental, alienated, disgruntled and sarcastic, sixteen year old Holden Caulfield despises the “phonies” of life, often not realising that he too is phoney in his own way.
3. For Whom the Bell Tolls, Ernest Hemingway
A classic war novel from the wildly talented Ernest Hemingway. Expect lots of death, suffering and politics with each of the characters learning a lot about the value of life along the way.
4. The Picture of Dorian Grey, Oscar Wilde
The only published novel from the brilliant aesthete Oscar Wilde, this narrative can be defined as a symbolic representation of a dialectic between two aspects of Wilde’s personality. Not surprising then that you will find a running discussion of art vs life and themes of homoerotic love. ,
5. Lord of the Flies, William Golding
The book that everyone read in school (that or Catcher in the Rye) but its quality and resonance explain why. An allegorical novel from Nobel Prize-winning author William Golding, it tells the story of a group of boys who become stranded on an island and have to govern themselves. As you can imagine, chaos ensues.
By Victoria Gardiner
Become a Gentleman’s Journal Member?
Like the Gentleman’s Journal? Why not join the Clubhouse, a special kind of private club where members receive offers and experiences from hand-picked, premium brands. You will also receive invites to exclusive events, the quarterly print magazine delivered directly to your door and your own membership card.
