Depends. In one sense, Russell's History of Western Philosophy. In another sense, Lady C (which, of course, I couldn't finish for laughing). In a third sense Alice in Wonderland, because it was passed off as a children's book but my golly it isn't.
But the first adult fiction that really gripped me was probably the Somerset Maugham short stories.
For this purpose I'm counting all the SF that I hoovered up as adolescent fiction.
D H Lawrence wrote a fascinating review of Moby Dick, which brought the novel back into publication. You can find it online under Studies in Classic American Literature, D H Lawrence
It was probably some textbook on the brain[a subject I was most interested in at 14 and used to borrow from the library] or Kama Sutra[ another topic I was most interested in] Did you know there are 11 types of penises and 11 types of vaginas and in order to have ideal sex one has to find thier right vagina-penis match? Kama Sutra is really all about working with what you have got to simulate you having your 'match',thus perfect sex as most people don't.
This was mine.
I have read so many books I can't remember the first...
ReplyDeleteFirst that left an impression ( that I can remember):
ReplyDeleteThe Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
The Foundation Trilogy by Isaac Asimov.
ReplyDeleteDepends. In one sense, Russell's History of Western Philosophy. In another sense, Lady C (which, of course, I couldn't finish for laughing). In a third sense Alice in Wonderland, because it was passed off as a children's book but my golly it isn't.
ReplyDeleteBut the first adult fiction that really gripped me was probably the Somerset Maugham short stories.
For this purpose I'm counting all the SF that I hoovered up as adolescent fiction.
Cherie - I bet you have.
ReplyDeleteHGF - a good choice.
Quiet Man - Asimov, eh?
Dearieme - In a third sense Alice in Wonderland, because it was passed off as a children's book but my golly it isn't.
Certainly it isn't. Anyone seen my hookah?
D H Lawrence wrote a fascinating review of Moby Dick, which brought the novel back into publication. You can find it online under Studies in Classic American Literature, D H Lawrence
ReplyDeleteI think it may have been Animal Farm
ReplyDeleteIt was probably some textbook on the brain[a subject I was most interested in at 14 and used to borrow from the library] or Kama Sutra[ another topic I was most interested in]
ReplyDeleteDid you know there are 11 types of penises and 11 types of vaginas and in order to have ideal sex one has to find thier right vagina-penis match? Kama Sutra is really all about working with what you have got to simulate you having your 'match',thus perfect sex as most people don't.
Are you blushing yet, James?
hahahaha
That would depend on the definition of a grown-up book. I remember reading a lot of Edgar Rice Burroughs when I first learned to read.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all those.
ReplyDelete