best fiction | CW Hawes

Four years ago I was a guest on Lisette Brodey’s Writers Chateau.

The other day I was looking over my answers to her questions. And decided if I did the interview today, I’d probably answer at least some of the questions differently. Such is the passage of time.

But it’s still a good interview. You can read it on her website.

Today, on the blog, I thought I’d take another look at one of the questions she asked me. So here goes my re-assessment.

Favorite Film of All Time

What is my favorite film of all time? This is actually a very difficult question. Mostly because I’m not a film guy. I’m a book guy.

Now that doesn’t mean I don’t watch movies because I do. Especially in the past. Today, I’d rather read a book. And the older I get, the more I’d rather read than watch.

I thought about the answer I gave Lisette. Had my opinion changed in the past 4 years? After all, there are some truly outstanding movies out there. Would I pick a different one?

Some of the great movies, in my opinion, are:

- - - The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
    - 2001: A Space Odyssey
    - Metropolis
    - Frau in Mond (Woman in the Moon)
    - The Remains of the Day
    - The Graduate
    - The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (You might have to be an old person to really get this movie.)

In the end, I couldn’t pick just one for Lisette. And I still can’t pick just one.

Little Big Man

I think Little Big Man is one of the most significant movies ever made.

The movie is about what is important in life. It is an indictment of the hypocrisy inherent in political, social, and cultural values. And how destructive those false values become when they are imposed on individuals and other cultures.

What is true and good is not what society ordains. Those values come from within. The ultimate truth never comes from without. It always comes from within.

Late Spring

Late Spring is one of Japanese director Yasujirō Ozu’s greatest movies. And I think it is one of the greatest movies ever made.

In a totally different setting and culture, Ozu tells us the same message that we find in Little Big Man. What is true and good is not what society and culture tells us is true and good.

We need to live life for ourselves and not live our lives according to someone else’s standards.

Late Spring is a simple story, but Ozu took this simple story and made it into a powerful tale that champions the individual and condemns the society that seeks to crush that individual.

Favorite Book of All Time

This one, too, is difficult. There are so many good books. And I’ve read a number of very powerful novels and stories since I answered Lisette’s question.

A few of the works of fiction that are in the running for Favorite Book of All Time are:

- - - The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
    - An Artist of the Floating World by Kazuo Ishiguro
    - On the Beach by Nevil Shute (has one of the most emotionally powerful endings I’ve ever read)
    - The Macdermots of Ballycloran by Anthony Trollope
    - “The Spotted Dog” by Anthony Trollope (a long short story that is truly gut wrenching)
    - Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope
    - Wingman by Daniel Pinkwater (a kid’s book that is so incredibly emotive I think it is actually a book for adults)
    - 1984 by George Orwell (so real it scared the crap out of me)
    - Church Mouse by RH Hale (one of the most atmospheric novels I’ve ever read, with amazingly memorable characters)
    - The Boom Town Saga by Caleb Pirtle III (3 novels that actually are one long story; the series contains 2 of the most well-drawn characters I’ve ever read)
    - Last Deadly Lie by Caleb Pirtle III (this book was a great discovery: the characters are absolutely phenomenal and the storyline is a stunner)
    - Don’t Dream It’s Over by Matthew Cormack (the best post-apocalyptic novel I’ve ever read, and one of the best novels I’ve ever read)
    - James Vincett is a science fiction author with, so far, 5 titles, in 3 series, in his universe. Mr. Vincett’s worldbuilding is simply awesome. One of the most imaginative fictional universes I’ve read.

But given all of the above, plus the ones I didn’t list, I think I will stick with my original assessment.

Sredni Vashtar

My favorite “book” of all time is the short story “Sredni Vashtar” by Saki.

To remember a story you read 60 or so years ago and never forget it definitely means it had a tremendous impact on you.

Like my all time favorite movies described above, “Sredni Vashtar” is a story about a revolt from convention, a revolt from those who think they know what is best for us, but in the end don’t actually care about us. They simply want us to conform to their life goals and purpose. It is a story about becoming free.

And there is nothing better than being free.

Comments are always welcome! And until next time, happy reading!

CW Hawes is a playwright; award-winning poet; and a fictioneer, with a bestselling novel. He’s also an armchair philosopher, political theorist, social commentator, and traveler. He loves a good cup of tea and agrees that everything’s better with pizza.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider buying me a cup of tea. Thanks! PayPal.me/CWHawes

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It’s summer in Houston. Tropical heat and humidity. TG for AC.

The other day I was saying to my wife that when we lived in Minnesota we stayed indoors in the winter. Moving to Houston, we now stay indoors in the summer. And when one has to stay in it is a good time to raid the bookshelf.

Of course, in truth, any time is a good time to read a novel. From the comfort of my easy chair, with the AC on (or the heat in winter), hot tea at hand, I can take any number of adventures.

I can leave earth entirely, or I can travel to a fantasy world that only exists in the writer’s and his reader’s minds.

If I want, I can go to another city, or another country.

I can do all of that and never leave the comforts of home. Just by reading a book.

If you happen to be looking for something to read this summer (or winter, if you live on that part of the globe) I have a few suggestions for you.

Church Mouse by RH Hale

I recently re-read this incredible novel to refresh my memory and prepare for Church Mouse: The Change, which I’m currently reading.

How Ms Hale can generate such tension and suspense from her slowburn Gothic style is beyond me. As a writer, I’m in awe. As a reader, I’m in love — and chewing my fingernails down to the quick.

But tension and suspense aren’t the only thing. She excels at painting a word picture that lets you experience the setting. And she gives you characters that are so life-like, you’ll swear you’ve run across them in real life.

These two books are good reading anytime. They are amongst the best vampire novels out there. And they are so much more. They’ll get you thinking about what it means to be human.

Exit and 01134 by Crispian Thurlborn

Mr Thurlborn is one of my favorite authors. His imagination gives rise to fabulous stories.

Exit is a dreampunk tale that examines if we are truly free to do as we want and change who we are. It is a superb addition to the ranks of weird fiction.

01134 is another stupendous addition. This book examines loneliness. It examines choices we make, or don’t make. It is a book that takes us to The Twilight Zone.

Your Arms Around Entropy and Other Stories by Brian Fatah Steele

I love short stories. A well-written short story, IMO, is more satisfying than a long novel. I know there are people who don’t like short stories. I feel sorry for them.

Mr Steele is a very accomplished writer, and this collection of short stories blew me away. I went out and bought all of his books.

These are dark tales that will make you fear the dark. They are superb examples of contemporary Lovecraftian fiction.

Keep the light on if you read these at night.

All of the above recommendations are dark, quite dark. Maybe you prefer lighter fare. If that’s the case, the next two fit the bill quite nicely.

Agonising: The Problem Page Letters of Jean Price and Raine Vincent by Ernestine Marsh

Ms Marsh has a knack for humor and the witty turn of phrase. She also is quite at home dishing out biting satire. You’ll find both in Agonising. You’ll also have to take periodic reading breaks to catch your breath and give your stomach a break from all the laughing.

The Garden of Jane Pengelly by Stephen A Howells

This book is a hidden gem. It took me completely by surprise — a very pleasant surprise. It is a sweet and tender paranormal love story. Not normally my cup of tea. No, not by a long shot. Yet, I was drawn in by Mr Howell’s wonderful storytelling. And yes, it brought tears to my eyes. Definitely not one to miss!

The above ought to keep you going for awhile. I’ll be back next week with more gems for your ereader or bookshelf.