[The Saucepan Man]

what are your other favourites on the list

Rather embarassingly, I have only read 7 on the list (including LotR). Second place, for me, would have to go to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, which was pure comic genius, as with all Douglas Adams' writings (he is sadly missed). Other than that, I really liked Wuthering Heights, which I read for my 'A' level exams, and which was one of only two set texts which I read twice (the other was Farewell to Arms, but Hemmingway astoundingly didn't even feature in the top 100). And, of course, 1984, which I did for 'O' level (although I preferred Animal Farm).

Wind in the Willows has a special place in my affections, as does Winnie the Pooh, but I would describe neither as being in my top 21 books. One of Philip Pullman's books is (courtesy of my Tolkien fan sister-in-law) sitting on my bedside table, ready to read, but I haven't got round to it yet.

Bottom of my list would be Great Expectations, but I never got on with Dickens. I read the abridged version for a school essay on it (and still got an A [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] ).

Books that should be there in my view: The Magus by John Fowles, an incredible psychological exploration, Frank Herbert's Dune and Umberto Eco's Foucald's Pendulum. I am sure that there are others, but I can't think of them for now.

Brave New World was frankly disturbing and has to be one of the most depressing books I've ever read...!

Ah yes, that should be there. A very good book indeed. Disturbing, yes, but surely very relevant to modern society - perhaps one of the biggest issues facing us today.

are any hidden reasons that LotR is ahead

Well, I think that the films have something to do with it, But not as much as critics would have us believe. The films have got people into the books, certainly, and that is a wonderful thing. But I don't believe that people who have enjoyed the films but can't get on with the book will vote for it. And it is one of those books that fans will vote for again and again (as I have), but that only confirms how strongly admirers of the books feel about it. Ultimately, though, I think that it comes down to the fact that it is, however much those po-faced critics might rail against it, a very popular book.

Have you voted, and how many times?

Yes. Every time I go to the "Big Read" site. Which is fine by me, since I expect fans of the other books to do the same. If they don't, then clearly it doesn't mean as much to them.

ian mckellen is on have i got news for you tonight

That program was so funny. Ross Noble is an exceptional comedian, and his impression of Gandalf trying to hide the existence of Gnomes in Middle-earth was excrutiatingly funny. I was in stiches over the thought of Garden Gnomes mounted on Squirrels fighting Orcs. I thought that Ian held his own very well. He certainly put that pipsqueak Ian Hislop in his place. "Touche!", I thought as he remarked "But you were at Cambridge, weren't you?" in response to Hislop's sad quip about his sexuality.

But LotR being firmly in first place and seemingly unshakeable at this stage of the voting? I would never have thought it. What a great result. I only hope that complacency doesn't knock it off the top spot.

Edit: Is it just me, or is Ross Noble burrahobbit? [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[ November 07, 2003: Message edited by: The Saucepan Man ]