this post was submitted on 20 Aug 2025
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Let’s give some love to authors from Europe! Share your favourite European author and mention at least one book from them you’d recommend.

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[–] thelittleblackbird@lemmy.world 10 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Terry Pratchett.

No one, absolutely no one was able to master so many different styles, from theologist essays (smaller gods) to thriller novel (all the guards trilogy) . And in all of them you can find many quotes that could be at the same level as some of the best philosophers in the old continent.

His novel defended the igualitary access to almost everything (equal rites, witches) , decompose social classes (almost in every book) ,speaks about slavism (the golem set of books) and how the things interact to each other in order to create the society we know. And more important, it also show how difficult is to change it.

I addition you could find great explanation of the most important secrets of the universe, and last but not least, in some books he show an exquisite sense of humor.

I understand that his style is not for everybody, and first time it could even generate a rejection. But which genius of its area didn't create such feeling??

It is time to start recognizing him as the genius and master he is.

[–] aln@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I got into Pratchett way too late and I'm so sad about that. On the upside, I get to experience his books with the knowledge I have in the world so I can really appreciate it for what it's worth.

Mr Pratchett is genuinely a writer in a million, he is the only person when I knew he had his mental problems (was dementia?) I really felt terrible for him and for knowing that his legacy was going to stop...

Enjoy his books and if you accept a tip, don't skip any book, even the non discworld ones

[–] dkppunk@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Philip Pullman will always and forever be my favorite author. I first read the His Dark Materials series when I was 11 and I was hooked. Those books made a huge impact on me and how I think about the world.

I would recommend his book The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ. It’s a retelling of the Jesus Christ story where Jesus and Christ are 2 brothers, one who is moral and the other who is not at all moral. I am not a religious or even spiritual person, but that book was really good!

[–] Valmond@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

His dark materials is Tolkien leven or better IMO.

[–] dkppunk@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

I’m a Tolkien fan, but I can definitely agree with that!

[–] Kennystillalive@feddit.org 3 points 3 days ago (1 children)

For me it's Friedrich Dürrenmatt. I love his tragic comedies and writting pholosophy: a piece is only complete, when the worst case has happened.

[–] bjoern_tantau@swg-empire.de 1 points 3 days ago

One of the few books we were forced to read in school that I actually enjoyed was his "Es geschah am hellichten Tag". There's also a movie with Jack Nicholson based on the book.

[–] birdwing@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

There are too many to list, but one that comes to mind:

  • Pyotr Kropotkin. I've read his Conquest of Bread and although sometimes harder to read, it's been highly enlightening for how an anarchocommunist society could self-organise.
[–] Gieselbrecht@feddit.org 2 points 2 days ago

Erich Maria Remarque. Famous but still underrated in my opinion. Everyone knows "Im Westen nichts Neues" but also read "Zeit zu Leben, Zeit zu Sterben" or "Der Funke Hoffnung"

[–] Valmond@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

Michail Bulgakof and his Master and Marguerite (unsure about the exact English title).

Umberto Eco, favorite: Baudolino

Kundera, his old books are fantastic, or reeally heavy... The newer the less good IMO.

Terry pratchett & Douglas Adams.

Tolkien.

Charles Stross, a must read for computer nerds liking fantasy and stuff.