# What is the greatest, most memorable, story you have ever read (Part II)? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** books-writing-myths\ **Created:** [December 10, 2023, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-most-memorable-story-you-have-ever-read-part-ii/994361 "2023-12-10T09:52:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bashorian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bashorian/32/3546_2.png) [@Bashorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bashorian)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2023, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-most-memorable-story-you-have-ever-read-part-ii/994361/1 "2023-12-10T09:52:13Z")
Following up this thread from 2002: > [@What is the greatest, most memorable, story you have ever read?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-most-memorable-story-you-have-ever-read/122725): > > Including comic books, comic strips, serials, unpublished literature, books, fiction, non-fiction and anything else that required reading to get the story across. I would have to say that the greatest story I have ever read had got to be the entire run of Preacher by Vertigo/DC comics. I am sure many of you have read it and enjoyed it, but I think that it is a great read from the begining of the first issue, to the end of the last. Great ending. Great characters. Great side stories to break up … What is the greatest, most memorable story that you’ve read? As @Cubsfan set it out then: > [@What is the greatest, most memorable, story you have ever read?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-most-memorable-story-you-have-ever-read/122725/1): > > Including comic books, comic strips, serials, unpublished literature, books, fiction, non-fiction and anything else that required reading to get the story across. If you know of other threads that touch on this, please link them. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2023, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-most-memorable-story-you-have-ever-read-part-ii/994361/2 "2023-12-10T12:51:01Z")
**The Lord of the Rings** by Professor Tolkien. The foundation of the Fantasy Genre. Here the ultimate hero is one of the small folk, he didn’t win by feats of magic or sword, but by perseverance and forgiveness. If he hadn’t been kind to Gollum, he would have failed in the end. Meanwhile we had the heroics of Aragorn and Gandalf. We had the march of the Ents, the last ride of Theoden and so much more. * * * * * * **The Moon is a Harsh Mistress** by Robert Heinlein. We’ve got early AI, magnetic accelerated catapults for space launches, Revolution, spy stuff, political stuff, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2023, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-most-memorable-story-you-have-ever-read-part-ii/994361/3 "2023-12-10T13:43:30Z")
LOTR is up there, for sure, but I have to go with the **Lonesome Dove** series of books: Dead Man’s Walk, Comanche Moon, Lonesome Dove, Streets of Laredo. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2023, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-most-memorable-story-you-have-ever-read-part-ii/994361/4 "2023-12-10T14:08:43Z")
**_Cien años de soledad_ / One hundred years of solitude** , by Gabriel García Márquez. ---
**Author:** ![LVBoPeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/858c86/32.png) [@LVBoPeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LVBoPeep)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2023, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-most-memorable-story-you-have-ever-read-part-ii/994361/5 "2023-12-10T20:43:56Z")
This. I just started re-listening to the audio book of Lonesome Dove for a few minutes before I go to sleep. It never gets old and the quality of the original extends into all of the series. I especially love Dead Man’s Walk and the character of Bigfoot Wallace. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2023, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-most-memorable-story-you-have-ever-read-part-ii/994361/6 "2023-12-10T21:53:45Z")
**Maus** by Art Spiegelman, which is a graphic novel about the author’s parents’ experience of the Holocaust. I don’t even know what else to say about that. It won a special Pulitzer. I remember when I finished reading it at about 3am I started weeping piteously, and it woke up my husband, who said, “What is it, what’s the matter?” I said, “Maus.” And he was like, “Oh. Yeah. I know.” And we embraced. And not to beat a dead horse, but **The Vorkosigan Saga** by Lois McMaster Bujold, which I honestly must describe as one of the best experiences of my life. ---
**Author:** ![Bashorian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bashorian/32/3546_2.png) [@Bashorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bashorian)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2023, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-most-memorable-story-you-have-ever-read-part-ii/994361/7 "2023-12-10T21:58:25Z")
I took note of the Vorkosigan Saga in the series thread and plan on reading it, if I can figure out which starting recommendation is best! ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2023, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-most-memorable-story-you-have-ever-read-part-ii/994361/8 "2023-12-10T22:00:44Z")
I started with **Shards of Honor** and just read it chronologically. I actually think Bujold’s advice is the best there. You want to get all the backstory to really appreciate Miles’ journey. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2023, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-most-memorable-story-you-have-ever-read-part-ii/994361/9 "2023-12-10T22:04:20Z")
[The Egg](https://americanliterature.com/author/sherwood-anderson/short-story/the-egg) by Sherwood Anderson. Between the long-winded massive tragedy of Theodore Dreiser and the heroic ideal of Hemingway’s doomed protagonists, a tidy little story that’s entirely relatable and timeless, on the theme of failure. ---
**Author:** ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2023, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-most-memorable-story-you-have-ever-read-part-ii/994361/10 "2023-12-10T22:32:29Z")
Cry the Beloved Country followed by Grapes of Wrath. When I finished Grapes of Wrath I took a weeks vacation and drove to Sallisaw OK. The whole place is owned by the Rockefeller family. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2023, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-most-memorable-story-you-have-ever-read-part-ii/994361/11 "2023-12-10T23:07:14Z")
One my fave/most memorable was _The Valley of Fear_ by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The only time I can think of when a plot twist really hit me totally off-guard. ---
**Author:** ![Tarataratara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Tarataratara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tarataratara)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2023, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-most-memorable-story-you-have-ever-read-part-ii/994361/12 "2023-12-10T23:36:40Z")
It’s the right time of year to read A Christmas Memory [A Christmas Memory – Truman Capote – “It’s Fruitcake Weather!” - MyLinh Shattan](https://treehouseletter.com/2015/12/25/a-christmas-memory-truman-capote-its-fruitcake-weather/) ---
**Author:** ![Tarataratara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Tarataratara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tarataratara)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2023, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-most-memorable-story-you-have-ever-read-part-ii/994361/13 "2023-12-10T23:41:03Z")
Since you enjoyed The Grapes of Wrath, may I recommend Out of the Dust? It’s a YA book, but I think you will find it moving. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2023, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-most-memorable-story-you-have-ever-read-part-ii/994361/14 "2023-12-10T23:51:26Z")
Definitely Lord of the Rings. I read it in high school, and it largely shaped my aesthetics and philosophical outlook on life for years. I don’t know who I would be if I hadn’t read it. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2023, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-most-memorable-story-you-have-ever-read-part-ii/994361/15 "2023-12-11T00:14:59Z")
Just off the top of my head: Short Story: Either _The Nine Billion Names of God_ by Arthur C,. Clarke or “T_he Guy with the Eyes_” by Spider Robinson. They’ll stick with you. Novel: _The Martian_ by Andy Weir. I simply cannot pick it up without reading (and enjoying) it again. History: _Berlin Diary_ by William Shirer. Series: _1632_ (Ring of Fire) by Eric Flint. He’s now deceased so I’ll never know how the epic story he told me will end up. Comic (short): The combined _Bloom County_ and _Calvin and Hobbes_ collaboration. There were a few one-off’s but this is a multi-panel (but still pretty short) story that will bring a smile to your face and a tear to your eye. Comic (Long): **Digger** , a webcomic that was suggested to me, I started it and spent most of a day and much of a night reading it from start to finish…and never regretted a second of it. Remember Tunnel 17! Comic (Epic): **Schlock Mercenary** , I have all 16 published books now and am eagerly awaiting #17 (and will get 18,19, and 20 once they are available. Simply the best daily strip I’ve ever read, either in the papers or on-line, in my life. Of course, by tomorrow I may have a new list… ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2023, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-most-memorable-story-you-have-ever-read-part-ii/994361/16 "2023-12-11T03:08:48Z")
Taking “story” to mean a narrative tale (characters, dialogue, events), whether fiction or nonfiction; taking “greatest, most memorable” to mean “to me, with impact, tendency to reread and treasure”… Here’s an eclectic mix including many that hit me powerfully as a child reader: Anne Holm, North to Freedom Marilyn French, The Women’s Room Jennifer Donnelly, The Tea Rose Scott Turow, Presumed Innocent Otfried Preussler, The Satanic Mill Alan E. Nourse, The Universe Between Alexander Key, The Forgotten Door Eleanor Clymer, Search for a Living Fossil Mickie Davidson, Helen Keller’s Teacher Leslie Feinberg, Stone Butch Blues ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2023, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-most-memorable-story-you-have-ever-read-part-ii/994361/17 "2023-12-11T03:10:44Z")
> [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > Of course, by tomorrow I may have a new list… Yeah that too ---
**Author:** ![Bashorian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bashorian/32/3546_2.png) [@Bashorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bashorian)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2023, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-most-memorable-story-you-have-ever-read-part-ii/994361/18 "2023-12-14T14:09:04Z")
I read the Hobbit and the trilogy a long time ago. I remember liking the books, but nowhere near the extent I often see posted. I guess I should take another look. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2023, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-most-memorable-story-you-have-ever-read-part-ii/994361/19 "2023-12-14T14:19:32Z")
It took three tries before Lonesome Dove finally worked for me. I’m so glad I stuck it out. It’s wonderful. I enjoyed the early Jean Auel, Clan of the Cave Bear books. I read them two or three times back in the olden days. To Kill a Mockingbird. Space by James Michener really opened my uneducated eyes to uhm, space. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2023, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-most-memorable-story-you-have-ever-read-part-ii/994361/20 "2023-12-20T13:53:38Z")
> [@Crane](#): > > Grapes of Wrath Seconded. We were assigned to read this novel in a high school AP English class and I dreaded it. I thought it was going to be a horrible slog to read, but I absolutely loved it. It opened me up to the radical idea that ‘Classic Literature’ could actually be enjoyable to read, and led me to devour not only most of Steinbeck’s oeuvre, but also the work of many other great authors like Dostoevsky. I did find some authors’ work to be tough to get through, like James Joyce or William Faulkner. But for the most part I discovered that ‘important’ and ‘enjoyable to read’ are not mutually exclusive qualities of classic literature. In ‘modern’ times, meaning, say, the last 10 years or so, I think the most memorable, enjoyable story I’ve read was ‘American Gods’ by Neil Gaiman. Fantasy or magical realism are not genres I typically enjoy, but something about that novel really resonated with me. I got immersed into the novel’s world, and remember wishing it wouldn’t end; and being sad when it did. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-most-memorable-story-you-have-ever-read-part-ii/994361.md?page=2)