I didn't really know how to title this thread but what are some books that people should read simply because like, every modern book/movie/play/TV show references/uses/alludes to them in some way or another.

I can get the list started with:
-Heart of Darkness (ethnocentrism, racism controversy, "The horror! The horror!")
-Lord of the Flies (stranded on an island, savagery vs civilization)
-Catcher in the Rye (pioneer emo)
-The Bible (for obvious reasons)

Bart Simpsons Guide to Life.

Like you said, the Bible, for sure.

I was raised nonreligious, but after so many years of being drowned in Christian allusions, I decided to pick up a King James version and trudge through that thing. I finished a month or two back... definitely worth the sweat.


Other than that... I'm sure Shakespeare would be a good bet. Probly Hamlet, R+J, etc.

Catch 22

Lord of the Rings

Two Solitudes (within Canada)

The Oddessy

The Illiad

1984

Brave New World

I'd say the Odyssey is number one when it comes to true fiction. I bet there have been thousands upon thousands of allusions to The Odyssey in fiction throughout history.

Some of Shakespeare's work would also be up there, such as Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet.

Meh. Homer didn't even cross my mind, but I think that the Iliad has way more than the Odyssey.