/lit/ - Literature

My Dad has a Master's in German literature (and a PhD in History), and his favorite author is Thomas Mann. Although he's pretty much a big fan of all German lit. And well read in the Canon generally speaking.

My Mom, while she doesn't have any degrees, has been a voracious reader since she was a kid. Her favorite contemporary writer is Victor Pelevan, and her favorite books are Swann's Way and Anna Karenina. The latter of which she rereads every other year. She grew up in the Soviet Union and has read pretty much all the major Russian-lit authors.

I wouldn't say my taste has been directly influenced by their tastes in literature. In fact when I was a kid I was really active and more into sports. My parents tried really hard to get me into reading, which only made me hate it as a kid. Instead I got into anime, but sometime midway through high school I ran out of good anime to watch (Berserk, Utena, Lain, Monster, Evangelion, etc). And decided I should shift to literature. I also liked my literature teachers in High School, and they helped me find joy in reading and analyzing texts.

I would watch movies semi-frequently with my Dad, and I think the movies he showed me (often obscure European movies) had a lot of influence over my general tastes. Of which I'm sure some spilled over into literature. But I only read a handful of books that my parents personally recommended. Of those I enjoyed Kafka's stories, in particular The Trail the most. I also liked Swann's Way, but due to an irl interruption I stopped halfway through and haven't picked it back up yet.

My personal favorite novels are Kokoro and Don Quixote.

>>13629027
What a terrible fucking cover lol, Anna Karenina looks like Kiera Knightley, and not because of the movie, that was just cosmically ideal casting--in fact that whole movie was perfectly cast, now that I think lol
But that bitch is a straight gnome, good way to turn off potential readers.

Here's an example of one that appeals.

>>12189993
>>12190056

Finally, someone with some sense. I really can't understand the hatred for translations in this board other than people wanting to claim psued-cred by struggling through the originals. At this point, any literary works of substance are translated by professional Academics who go through a pain staking review process for publication. The published translations of classic literature are all approved by experts in the field.

You can only appreciate the true nuances of the original if you understand the culture, which you can only attain by living in that area (for at least a year I would say). Good literature is a reflection of culture, which is why cultural understanding is a prereq for appreciating great lit. Simply knowing the language is only half of the key

>>10834041
The only way to learn about women is by interacting with them and gaining that experience. Some books do accurately show the nature of women (both the beautiful and ugly side of them), but others do a horrible job. So if you just read and you don't gain personal experience, you won't be able to filter the good information from the bad. Furthermore, while I do think there are certain attributes that are common among most women, these characteristics are mixed with individuality as well.

For example, good pick up artists have a strong understanding of the side of women that can be generalized. But they are unable to understand the individual, human element of them. Hence why they can never manage a long term relationship. And if they do, they often end up with a divorce. Plus, the types of girls that pick up artists go for, are generally the more stereotypical girls that can be manipulated. In other words, girls who have weak individual personalities. Essentially walking pussies (who compliment pick-up artists well since they are basically walking dicks).

Anyone in a good marriage however, has to have a strong understanding of both the gender side of the girl, and the individual side of her. And the same vise-versa for the wife. A healthy relationship means understanding a person not just in how they are dictated by their sex, but also by what makes them an individual.

Before I changed myself and become more open and comfortable around women. I read a lot literature, but good literature focuses mostly on the individual side of women. Or perhaps in how women struggle with balancing their individuality with the demands of their gender. Anna Karenina is a great example of this. What makes this literature is that it deals with the human condition. Its about showing the beauty and tragedy of the human conflict of trying to assert your will and personality over the desires demanded by your genitalia. But with literature you generally learn more about individuals than about "girls" or "guys".

I don't read any erotica or racy romance novels. But if you want to understand the archetypal female side of girls, then I think you could probably learn a lot by reading erotica aimed at women.

But even then, the only way to really start understanding them is by flirting with them and gaining experience in relationships with them. Learning about the opposite sex can only be done with experience.