Better than the film, but keep Juliette Binoche & Kristin Scott Thomas in mind as perfect casting.

Full of lively characters and the joy of simple life - a refreshing read.

My final Steinbeck choice - but they all satisfy immensely, follow up to Cannery Row, a great sequel

Much better than War and Peace, fantastic writing and well worth taking the time.

Found it difficult to seperate favourites of this man, so chose the one I'm currently enjoying.

The Welsh wizard, where the term "Sheer bloody poetry" was conceived.

Stunning - a little depressing a good one for misanthropes everywhere

"I was born in a time when the majority of young people had lost faith in God, for the same reason their elders had had it - without knowing why" - the true nature of human existence.

More of Norman Lewis' great writing, this time the subject is the Mafia and Italian anti hero Salvatore Giuliano - also see Mario Puzo's "The Sicilian"

Economical in style, horrifying in impact - astonishing. If you read only one book on Stalins Terror make it this one.

First came across Andrea Camilleri about 5 years ago shopping for books for my Italian holiday, they are all as good as this one, plain and simple, enormously witty Montalbano a is brilliant character

Totally riveting true life tale of survival and one man's survival instict

I have a passion for Flamenco, and this is a great book for an insight into its place in Spanish culture.