Saturday, February 28, 2009

James Gray: best books

James Gray's films include Two Lovers, starring Joaquin Phoenix and ­Gwyneth Paltrow, and Little Odessa and We Own the Night.

He named his six best books for The Week.

One book on the list:
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (Signet, $7).

In my view, Anna Karenina is simply the best novel ever written. A book of authentic emotion, acutely observed and brilliantly executed, with astonishing sweep and power. My personal favorite moment is when Levin goes to the men’s club.
Read about all six titles on Gray's list.

Anna Karenina also made Louis Begley's list of favorite novels about cheating lovers, the most important books lists of Ha Jin, Claire Messud, and Alexander McCall Smith, and Marie Arana's list of the best books about love.

--Marshal Zeringue