A.S. Byatt

A. S. Byatt is smarter than you are. She knows it, and when you read one of her novels, you'll know it, too. When she's in a rub-this-in-your-face mood, this can make wading through one of her novels tough going. The first time I read Possession (in my defense, I was a sophomore in high school) I was forced to look at least one thing up on pretty much every page--and that was skipping all of the poetry bits.

However, if you don't mind a persistent feeling of mental inferiority--and I find that I don't--some of Byatt's work is enormously enjoyable. The Matisse Stories collection--particularly the first story--is gorgeously sensual, her reworked fairy tales and fables are excellent, and Possession (deservedly Byatt's most famous work) is perfectly balanced between escapist fiction and high art.

Note: A. S. Byatt wrote an essay (a really condescending essay, but still!) in praise of Georgette Heyer, which endears her to me, in spite of the Harry Potter essay mentioned below.

Aftertaste:
Well, the movie versions of Angel and Insects and Possession could have been worse. I guess. Probably. But here's a tip, Ms. Byatt: don't write tactless essays dissecting the mallrat mentality of Harry Potter fans in The New York Times. You didn't make any friends with that one.

Availability:
Everywhere. Look in decent used bookstores, where you can usually find some of her pricey paperbacks for under ten dollars.

Other Recommendations:
American Gods or the Sandman series of graphic novels, by Neil Gaiman

The Club Dumas, by Arturo Perez-Reverte

Anything by Angela Carter

The Holder of the World, by Bharati Mukherjee

Website:
http://www.asbyatt.com -