Basic Questions Thread

[Emily]

Please use this thread to ask questions that do not require an entire thread devoted to them- such as asking for a source, author's name, or a recommendation.


That having been said, can anyone recommend to me a good English translation of the Qur'an (Koran)?

[Kong Wen]

The most common literary translation I have seen is the standard Penguin Classics edition. I'm not sure who the translator is, but you should be able to find it anywhere.

Other translations have been made with varying areas of focus, as you well know. I assume from your reading habits and interests that you are more interested in it as a historical literary source (as well as for personal interest/curiosity)?

[Seven at One Stroke]

Any recommendation for works by Kurt Vonnegut?
Also, I'm looking for a good high fantasy novel (not including LOTR), any suggestions? (I'm not even sure if such a thing is possible.)

[Ranbir]

fantasy...my favourite novel, Journey to the West!

Based on a real life journey of a monk during the Tang Dynasty travelling west to india to collect the Buddha's Sutra.

Fantasy bit is the demons, the gods, and the monkey king...sure fantasy, if you believe what people say... (Aw come on, let me think it happened, its so great!)

[Deng Ai]

fantasy...my favourite novel, Journey to the West!

I wholeheartedly agree. Jurney to the West is an amazing fantasy novel that I enjoy immensely, and I think other f antasy readers would enjoy it as well.

[Seven at One Stroke]

Unfortunately I've already read Journey to the West (seen a couple movies too), any other suggestions?

Also, I'm wondering if anybody can give me the English translation of 租界 and some sources on the history and culture (both foreign and Chinese)there?

[Ranbir]

租界 = Foreign settlement ? (Can someone check that please!)

[James]

Any recommendation for works by Kurt Vonnegut?
Also, I'm looking for a good high fantasy novel (not including LOTR), any suggestions? (I'm not even sure if such a thing is possible.)

I’d like to suggest looking into Raymond E. Feist if you haven’t already done so. His novels contain many fantastical elements, but also seem to have a much more realistic portrayal. He’s probably one of my favorite fantasy authors, one I’ve been reading for many years.

[REMisCool]

Any recommendation for works by Kurt Vonnegut?

Slaughterhouse Five is one of the greatest books that I've ever read. Here is a list of all the others by him that I loved...

Cat's Cradle
Welcome to the Monkey House
Bluebeard

Hope that was a help to you

[Omega52]

Any recommendation for works by Kurt Vonnegut?
Also, I'm looking for a good high fantasy novel (not including LOTR), any suggestions? (I'm not even sure if such a thing is possible.)

Man you should read books by Piers Anthony, he is very good, I read his books when I was a little younger and didn't understand, but he has developed a land known as Xanth in his novels which are just as extensive and greater in quantity than the LOTR series.