I would recommend 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen. It gives a great insight into the English society of the 19th century. The characters are well - developed and the story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy's relationship is both engaging and a wonderful exploration of class, love, and social norms.
You might consider 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Bronte. This novel is set in Victorian England and gives a detailed look at the social hierarchy, the role of women, and the religious and moral values of the time. The relationship between Jane and Mr. Rochester is full of passion and moral dilemmas, which are all aspects of the cultural context of that period.
I'd recommend starting with 'Consider Phlebas'. It's the first in the series and gives you a good foundation for understanding the Culture. You'll get introduced to the basic concepts like the Minds, the ships, and the different alien species in the Culture's realm.
You could start with 'Consider Phlebas'. It's like an entry point to the whole Culture series. It gives you a broad overview of the different elements in the Culture universe, like the ships, the drones, and the various species. It's not too complex to begin with and gets you interested in the world Banks has created.
For a novel to be the best in the culture genre, it needs to present a comprehensive and authentic view of a particular culture. This includes detailed descriptions of customs, beliefs, and social structures. Moreover, it should have a compelling narrative that makes the cultural aspects integral to the story.
There are many American and British cultural films. The following are some classic modern cultural films:
1 The Shawshank Redemption: This is a film directed by Frank Darabonte about a banker in Shawshank Prison. This film is considered one of the greatest films in the history of film and has won 11 Oscars.
2. Titanic: This was a movie directed by James Cameron about a young couple who crossed social classes on the Titanic. The movie won 11 Oscars.
3. Forrest Gump: This was a film directed by Robert Zemecris, which told the story of Forrest Gump, an optimistic man with a low IQ, in 20th-century American history. The film won 11 Academy Awards.
4 Life of Pi: A film directed by Ang Lee about a young Indian boy named Pi after his ship was wrecked. The film won 11 Oscars.
5 Zoottopia: This is a movie directed by Disney-Pixar that tells the story of a rabbit detective and other animals in Zoottopia. The movie won 11 Academy Awards.
The above are some movies about American culture and British culture, covering different historical periods and social cultures. I hope you will like them!
Try to read slowly and carefully, especially when it comes to descriptions of cultural elements. Make notes if necessary. For instance, if the book mentions a particular ceremony, jot down what you can infer about its significance in the culture. Also, look for character interactions as they often reflect cultural norms. If a character behaves in a certain way towards elders, it might be related to cultural values of respect in that society.
To start writing 'culture fanfic', begin by immersing yourself in the culture. Watch movies, read books, and listen to music from that culture. Let's say you want to write about Indian culture. Watch Bollywood movies to understand the way of life, family dynamics, and the importance of festivals like Diwali. Next, create characters that are influenced by this culture. They could be a young girl who dreams of becoming a Bollywood star or a boy who has to uphold his family's traditional values in a modern world. Then start building a plot around these characters and the cultural elements.
'The City of Dreams' could be a great start. It's a story that takes place in a big, bustling city full of different kinds of people. The main character is a newcomer trying to make it big, and through his eyes, we see all the glories and the hardships of the city. There are a lot of themes like hope, friendship, and the pursuit of happiness that are explored in a very relatable way.
'Factotum' is also a good one to begin with. It follows the life of Henry Chinaski, a character often based on Bukowski himself. The story is filled with his typical themes of alcohol, women, and the struggle to get by. It's relatively easy to follow compared to some of his other works and really shows what Bukowski is all about.