1.19.2011

Underappreciated books

I think we all have one-- or maybe a few-- of those books that we love and cherish but that no one else has ever heard of. Books that are absolutely wonderful, but somehow managed to slip by nearly unnoticed by the reading world after publication. They're the books that are the NYT bestsellers and Printz medalists of our hearts, while in reality, they're a bit unloved as they sit dusty and lonesome upon book store shelves.

It's a bit sad, really, because a lot of the time, the NYT bestsellers aren't even the most quality books. Sometimes, the books that have have the least hullabaloo surrounding them are the best.

I started off this post intending to only showcase one, but I'm weak and I can't do it.

Take three instead:

1. Fly By Night by Frances Hardinge (my review). I really think this is a modern children's classic. It's not at all as popular as it should be.

2. The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf by Gerald Morris. I love Gerald Morris, but I don't think many people know about his books. But what's not to like about King Arthur retellings full of swashbuckling humor to boot?

3. The Last of the Really Great Whangoodles by Julie Andrews Edward: I hold my love for this book in the same compartment of my heart that's reserved for the Chronicles of Narnia. It's a childhood favorite of mine.

I wanted to add on I Capture the Castle as well, but I think people have heard about it since it has a movie and all. NOT ENOUGH, THOUGH.

Also, I still hold that Diana Wynne Jones is the most underappreciated writer ever. Seriously, she's like the queen of children's fantasy, yet she doesn't get half the love she deserves for her brilliance.

Ahem. If I don't stop naming books now, I won't ever.

What's your favorite "unknown" book? Let's give our underappreciated books some love!
Posted by in which a girl reads at 9:13 PM

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Becca C.'s avatar

Becca C. · 740 weeks ago

Postcards From No Man's Land by Aidan Chambers... even though it won the Carnegie Medal AND the Printz, still no one seems to know it. It's crazy good. And Fire Bringer by David Clement-Davies. Some people seem to know The Sight by the same author but noooo one knows Fire Bringer.
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Dawn Embers · 740 weeks ago

I'm not sure if these are unknown but they were ya and middle grade books from when I was in those age ranges. Some of my favorites were: The Silver Crown by Robert C. O'Brien, Juniper Game by Sherryl Jordan, Escape from Warsaw by Ian Serrallier and Of Two Minds by Carol Matas and Perry Nodelman. There are many I borrowed from the library but don't remember the titles or authors anymore.
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marie's avatar

marie · 740 weeks ago

I liked Fly by Night too, but I know that it's not a book most ya and kids would gravitate to... I am currently loving sea of trolls which I cannot see why I haven't read before now!
Marie @ Lemondrop ViNtAge
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Farah Mendlesohn · 740 weeks ago

Will happily burble to your heart's content about *any* Hardinge book. And I am lucky enough to be interviewing Hardinge for the British Science Fiction Association next week, should anyone reading this be in London.

Have you heard the audio of Fly By Night? I loved it. All those words rolling in the ear.

I am also, not coincidentally I think, author of a book on Diana Wynne Jones. Her fan base is not massive like Rowling's but judging by the sales of this, an academic book (1000 copies at the hard back price of $99) it is pretty dedicated. (It's in pb now).

For my "not known well enough", I think I'd nominate Patrice Kindl's Owl in Love, which begins with Owl, a were owl, realising that the mouse tail is poking out of her sandwich.
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Enbrethiliel · 740 weeks ago

+JMJ+

Wow! You're the only other person I know who has read The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf, which single-handedly restored my faith in Arthurian retellings! I believe it's part of a series, but I've never been able to find Morris' other books. =(

Well, you obviously have impeccable taste ;-) so I'm going to keep an eye out for Fly by Night now!

One writer who is never as well known as he should be is Neal Shusterman. He has written some of the most imaginative YA novels I've ever read! Try Downsiders. It's epic!
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Josette · 740 weeks ago

I do agree that Diana Wynne Jones doesn't get much attention though I find her books and stories really enjoyable!

My answer to your question would be 'The True Story of Lilli Stubeck' by James Aldridge. It's not really popular but I love it. :)
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Danya · 740 weeks ago

Oh my goodness, so glad you mentioned the Gerald Morris books! I love the Savage Damsel and the Dwarf, it may be my favorite of his. And the Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles is definitely overlooked! Such a creative story :)

A few on my list would be The Seer and the Sword by Victoria Hanley, The Perilous Gard by Elizabeth Marie Pope, and the Prydain Chronicles by Lloyd Alexander.
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Page_Turners 87p · 740 weeks ago

The Vintners Luck by Elizabeth Knox. Best. Book. Ever
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jessilouwho22 19p · 740 weeks ago

This is a great post. I deeply love my own underappreciated books, and I LOVE finding out about other people's favorite underappreciated books, too. I have to admit, I love my favorite underappreciated books even more than the hype books that I love. They just seem more special to me.

And I have to add--I LOVED The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles. That was one of my first introductions into the fantasy genre, and I have never turned back.

Seriously love this post! :)
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Aleena's avatar

Aleena · 739 weeks ago

I so agree with you about Dianna Wynne Jones. I LOVE her books but none of my friends have heard of her. :(
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N. R. Williams · 738 weeks ago

I'm going to have to check into those books. I wanted you to know that I read your post about a "new adult" category and I couldn't agree more. My own epic fantasy is just that because my heroine is 20 and in college but I always felt it was the wrong category. That to limit the readership is wrong. I hope they do come out with, a "new adult" category soon. In the meantime, I've self published my book as an e-book. I'm following you now because you impress me.
Cheers,
Nancy
N. R. Williams, fantasy author
The Treasures of Carmelidrium
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