Can anyone recommend a truly inspiring novel?

[LostJohnny]

Hi,

OK, so what's sauce for the goose is another man's gander, so what inspires
some people will leave others flat. A friend once lent me the DVD of "The
Passion of the Christ" describing it as "life changing". I just thought
"Crikey, I've never seen so much violence in one film" and I was glad when
it finished. I was unchanged.

So, I just thought I'd point out that I realise I'm expecting the impossible
if I expect someone to recommend a book that will definitely help me change.

I need to change. I'm supposed to be self-employed. However, I spend most of my time day-dreaming, watching porn and generally procrastinating.

I was moved by Macbeth when I saw a production of it. I swear after seeing
that play I will never kill a king for my own promotion.

I saw a TV dramatisation of "A Christmas Carol" at Christmas. I was moved by that as well. I enjoyed Christmas when I'm normally "Bah, humbug".

I've read a few self-improvement books. At first they had an effect -
temporarily. Occasionally, when desperate, I surf the net for
self-improvement sites. I only find the websites of American con artists.

So I'll give literature a go and I ask the question - can anyone recommend a
novel that will inspire me to stop wasting my life and get on and work and
make the best of myself?

TIA

Lost Johnny

[Casiopea]

The 9th Configuration by Peter Blatty. Thought-provoking...
and maybe even life-changing. (Does hope exist in a world that is constantly trying to destroy itself?)

"This is a well written and tightly crafted novel. The dialogue, while often full of angst, is witty and clever. The premise of the book is certainly unusual. A secret facility houses militairy officers, all brave men, who have, for reasons unknown, become mentally disturbed. Housed without hope, a militairy psychiatrist enters their lives in a most unexpected way. Yet, it appears that he has his own issues with which to contend, issues that lie at the heart of his seeming understanding of their problems. Things are not always what they seem. Be prepare for a shocking surprise. This book is definitely a thriller in every sense of the word." Read more reviews here.

Psst. The film is excellent too.

[Casiopea]

What about? The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield. This book offers a great description of the Truth of this Universe. It discusses the energy that connects us all, the synchronicity that is vitally important on our journey towards success, and principles that are applicable in every aspect of our lives. Read more reviews here.

All the best.

[LostJohnny]

Thanks for those recommendations, Casiopea. They both look very interesting, particularly The Celestine Prophecy. Maybe I'll invest in one or both of these.

I haven't read any classic English literature since I was at school. I tend to read non-fiction (for knowledge) and light humourous novels (to help myself sleep at night). But are there any English classics that anyone can recommend, seeing as it was Shakespeare and Dickens who wrote the past couple of plays that had an effect on me?

Lost Johnny

[trans]

Hi, Johnny,
(Don't mind my saying this, but it's just for you have written that detailed introduction. Might it be that you just have too much of you all for yourself? A tiny bit more than you need. Self-sacrifice (call it) might be helpful, like getting a day job of say a school teacher (kidding) or marring a girl with a kid (punning now). Give yourself two weeks for writing a book or joining theatre classes or anything what you might desire if you hadn't all these time and freedom you have now, but obligations, - and if you failed to get inspired, you would really have nothing to regret about, having scarified them. On the contrary even, I dare say. A new life)
Now I remember I always wanted to read Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Stoppard.
trans

[LostJohnny]

Originally Posted by trans

Hi, Johnny,
(Don't mind my saying this, but it's just for you have written that detailed introduction. Might it be that you just have too much of you all for yourself? A tiny bit more than you need. Self-sacrifice (call it) might be helpful, like getting a day job of say a school teacher (kidding) or marring a girl with a kid (punning now). Give yourself two weeks for writing a book or joining theatre classes or anything what you might desire if you hadn't all these time and freedom you have now, but obligations, - and if you failed to get inspired, you would really have nothing to regret about, having scarified them. On the contrary even, I dare say. A new life)
Now I remember I always wanted to read Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Stoppard.
trans

Thanks, trans.

I think you're absolutely right and doing something for others would do me good. I'll take your suggestion seriously and think about what I can do.

That's all I'll say here as this is getting way off-topic.

Lost Johnny

[trans]

this is getting way off-topic

Oh, I see. Hasn't it been a bit off-topic from the very beginning? How do you imagine an inspiring novel would help a persona in his forties? Is it just luck of inspiration or serious socialising problems that he suffers? I would ask at least for a book that helps find/understand/decide my place in this life/world, sort of teaches wisdom, not like you say inspires. A proper age for becoming wiser and getting along without inspiration.
As for truly inspiring novels, I know one, Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Buch (just don't know whether it works with foggies (was meant "old fogies"...) or might be of any use for them). Or Martin Eden (Thanks to Humble ) by London.

[Anglika]

Depends on what sort of inspiration you want. However, is it inspiration or is it motivation that you need? "About a Boy" by Nick Hornby is worth a go.

[Ouisch]

This is not a novel, but it has remained one of my favorite and most inspiring books since I was in high school (back before the wheel had been invented). It's called Karen and was written by Marie Killilea. Almost any library will have it, and you can order used copies cheap off Amazon. It's the story of a girl that was born in 1940 with cerebral palsy, which was largely unheard of at the time. The lengths the family went to to get her diagnosed and treated was truly inspiring (and believe me, it takes a lot to inspire my jaded soul). The family wasn't wealthy to begin with, and underwent additional financial sacrifice due to Karen's medical bills and physical therapy necessities. They worked within their means and built equipment when they couldn't afford to buy it. Mind you, the book never falls into the category of pathos or self-pity. It is all told in a very matter-of-fact, this is the problem, how can we solve it manner. I always keep their story in the back of my mind when I start getting lazy or griping about how difficult something is. It's a story that at the very least will make you count your various blessings.

[LostJohnny]

Thanks for all replies so far.

I posted my question two days ago, got replies the same day and ordered The Celestine Prophecy which looked interesting. It arrived yesterday and I started reading it last night. It's far too early to say what I think of it, only being a few pages in, but I'll report back when I have an opinion to give.

Thanks for all the other suggestions. I doubt I'll read them all, but I'll check them out the best I can. I hope other people are enjoying reading about what people find "inspiring", whatever that means to them.

Cheers, people,

Lost Johnny