As the infamous story goes, she wrote the book on a bet with a number of renowned literati greats. She most definitely won that bet. Both a Gothic thriller and cautionary tale on the unbounded powers of science, Frankenstein paved the way for generations of writers to come. Drawing on biblical references such as the 16th-century Jewish Golem, in Frankenstein, Shelley shows her writing prowess and historical knowledge.
A book of impassioned fancy and fantasy, Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, told quite the modern tale through Don Quixote. The real and illusory are blended and mixed to perfection. Don Quixote has had an enormous effect on many writers through the years. An outlier in our list of classics, The Odyssey deserves a special mention. Regarded by many to be the first novel of all time, this Greek oration withstood the test of thousands of years. It is the quintessential epic saga.
All great works must pay their dues to the original. Technically spoken or written as a long-form poem, The Odyssey is a great and thrilling read after all of these years. An unforgettable novel that is an easy read for many just getting into the classics. By no means a light-hearted book, To Kill a Mockingbird deals with some heavy themes like racial inequality, rape and moral ethics.
It won the Pulitzer Prize in after being published in The next book to pick would be Fathers And Sons by Ivan Turgenev, considered one of the first famous works of Russian literature. Turgenev tackles the highly complex subject of nihilism in this stunning family drama that deals with, as the title suggests, the relationship between a father and a son. While considered controversial and against Russian morals when released, Fathers And Sons has withstood the test of time and is just as relevant now.
As the protagonist, Bazarov, begins to question everything he has been taught, his upbringing, and his value system, he clashes with his father who still believes in the old way of how things should be done. The genius of Turgenev lies in the fact that he manages to explore both sides of the argument, showing the merits of compliance while at the same time emphasising the need to question. This American novel, set during the Great Depression, was a national sensation and tore the nation apart when it was published in The book features an incredibly strong woman character, which is relatively rare to come across in the classics, who ends up saving her family.
It may seem like an odd choice to include The Grapes Of Wrath in an introduction to the classics roadmap as it is certainly on the heavier side as compared to others, but it is important to read this because of how far-reaching its influence is, and because of how many modern American authors have been influenced by this work.
This erotic tale of adultery and passion is a classic and is considered a seminal work on literary realism, exposing readers to a slice of real life amidst all the other purely romantic, and improbable novels which were popular in the era.
An introduction to the classics cannot be complete without a reader having read this stunning piece of literature even if it is for no other reason than to better understand modern works of realism. A common misconception about the classics is that they are all heavy or tackle deep and dark subjects- poverty, unrequited love, revolution, etc.
I felt like an orphan when I finished it and it's the only novel I've re-read several times. The Secret History by Donna Tartt We said: Donna Tartt 's book follows a clique of smart, attractive students at an elite university, and an outsider who finds himself forced to conceal a dark secret.
A gripping and tense read. The Call of the Wild by Jack London We said: Jack London was a gold prospector in the Canadian wilderness and used his experiences to write about a dog named Buck who becomes a leader of the wild. With themes exploring nature and the struggle for existence in the frozen Alaskan landscape. The Chrysalids by John Wyndham We said: An allegoric dystopia written in the wake of the Second World War, The Chrysalids cleverly strives to denounce acts of the past while including a profound plea for tolerance.
You said: A post-apocalyptic novel, about intolerance, loneliness, friendship, and what it means to be human. A fantastic sci-fi novel, as relevant today as it was in the 50s. Persuasion by Jane Austen Will they get a second chance at happiness? You said: This continues to be my favourite novel. It is a more mature love story, full of humourous, delightful observations of human behaviour.
It offers us a glimpse of redemption. We change as we grow, and the mistakes made in our youth can be overcome. Moby-Dick by Herman Melville You said: The great American novel: great characters, wonderful language, thick with the Bible and Thomas Browne, and has the best opening sentence ever. What's not to like? T he Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.
Lewis We said: C. Whether you were Peter, Edmund, Susan or Lucy, we all wanted to put on a fur coat and go on a snow-laden adventure with Mr Tumnus. You said: A beautiful timeless tale of innocence, wonder and sacrifice for young and old alike. It was one of the first books that I read from cover to cover without putting down! To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf We said: To the Lighthouse is a daring novel with little regard for rules. The Death of the Heart by Elizabeth Bowen There, she falls for the attractive cad Eddie.
A devastating exploration of adolescent love and innocence betrayed. You said: This book captures the awkward tension and anxieties of the interwar period through a deeply reflective, but oddly naive, unloved girl. Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy We said: It received mixed reviews it was first published, in part because it challenged Victorian ideals of purity and sexual morals.
You said: This novel teaches us about the position of women in the past and their moments of frailty versus moments of strength. Basically, an important insight for everyone to have! Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Frankenstein is a Gothic masterpiece with entertaining set pieces aplenty. You said: Chosen for all the questions it raises about consequences and taking responsibility for your actions; nature versus nurture; the value of friendship. I could go on. The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov You said: This novel has got the Devil mooching around Moscow with a massive black cat.
The Go-Between by L. Hartley We said: A moving exploration by L. You said: As a year-old, I was completely absorbed by this story, wishing Leo was my brother so that I could protect him from the disappointment that awaited him. We said: A psychiatric ward in Oregon is ruled by a tyrannical head nurse, but when a rebellious patient arrives her regime is thrown into disarray.
A story of the imprisoned battling the establishment. You said: A story that shows there is more to life than following rules. Having joy and being spontaneous are as important as anything else in life. Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell You said: I first read this book years ago, and was glad I would never have to be a part of that kind of society.
Yet, here I am in , and so much of that novel has come true. Buddenbrooks by Thomas Mann Well, and I have to say I do love family sagas. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck You said: Migration in search of work and a better future. A modern-day story. Still makes my skin tingle. Beloved by Toni Morrison We said: Toni Morrison 's novel tells the story of a former Kentucky slave haunted by the trauma of her past life, and won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in You said: This book is amazing.
Beautifully written, haunting and the level of detail of the lengths people went to protect their families from slavery is fantastic. The Code of the Woosters by P.
Wodehouse We said: This is the third full-length novel featuring P. In this outing, the duo hatches a daring and hilarious scheme to steal an 18th-century cow-creamer.
What could go wrong? You said: The best of the Bertie and Jeeves novels by Wodehouse, the 20th century master of the light comic novel. Intricate plotting and brilliant command of English prose. Dracula by Bram Stoker And the Count is not a hero like our modern vampires aka Edward Cullen. You said: A Gothic tale of fear and love. Loneliness beckons down such a dangerous and fearful path. The Lord of the Rings by J.
Tolkien We said: Perhaps the greatest story ever told, J. Ultimately a tale of companionship and the battle between good and evil, the fictional world of Middle Earth has endured to become far greater than the sum of its parts. You said: It's got the great sweeping story, romance, heroism, self-sacrifice, social commentary You said: This book demonstrates how a young boy learns to think for himself, and shows us how we can, too.
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens You said: This book is not only important as a literary masterpiece and an evocative story - it also has universal appeal as, unfortunately, many children in today's world undergo the same suffering as Pip. Catch by Joseph Heller We said: The perfect read for a cacophonous political moment. You said: In my opinion, there is no book that better captures human nature and the futility of conflict.
The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton He must decide to save a crumbling marriage or pursue his passions. Edith Wharton became the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in for this novel which explores love, lust and social class, set in the Gilded Age of New York. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe We said: It has come to be seen as the archetypal modern African novel in English and is read widely across Africa and Nigeria in which it is set.
It follows the Okonowo a great and famous warrior and the most powerful men of his clan. Read it to find out. You said: A compelling and important exploration of cultural identity in relation to both the rising tide of British colonialism and the pressures of gender expectations. A poignant tragedy written with pathos. Necessary reading! Middlemarch by George Eliot We said: Dorothea Brooke and the other inhabitants of Middlemarch grapple with art, religion, science, politics, self and society in the lead-up to the First Reform Bill of in a literary exploration of human follies.
This book is considered by many to be the greatest Victorian novel. You said: This book is superb in form and content. There is no better dissection of and insight into human society. She was the Shakespeare of her day and Middlemarch is her finest novel. Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie We said: A visceral tale, made of smells and sounds and bumps and knocks.
A brilliant way to immerse yourself in one of the most fascinating and turbulent periods of the 20th century, via a wonderfully fantastical conceit. You said: This is the most magical and well-written book I've read. The history of the partition of the Indian subcontinent told as a delightful allegory. The Iliad by Homer 8th century BC.
We said: It is one of the greatest and most influential epic poems ever written, and alongside The Odyssey the oldest surviving work of Western literature.
Although the story centres on the critical events of the last year of the Trojan war, Homer also explores themes of humanity, compassion and survival. You said: This is the ultimate war poem, filled with existential drama, heroic striving, death, and the meaning of life. Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray You said: Because Becky Sharp is the greatest female lead character in English literature.
Bar none. Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh We said: The iconic country house setting of Brideshead see a family consumed by its religion battle with their loyalties. A reflective and nostalgic novel by Evelyn Waugh about class, family and homecomings. The Catcher in the Rye by J. Salinger We said: Probably the least commented-upon aspect of J. Holden is a character no one ever forgets. As he wanders aimlessly around the city, he struggles to plan his next life move, but finds happiness in small joys, such as his strong bond with his sister.
A dizzying story full of riddles, puns and wordplay, at over years old it features a heroine way ahead of her time. You said: We should all get lost down a rabbit hole every once in a while and come out believing in six impossible things before breakfast whyisaravenlikeawritingdesk.
The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot Eliot drew on the frustrations of her own rural upbringing to write one of her most powerful and moving novels. A beautifully told story of an intelligent girl who yearns for more than society allows. Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope Told with plenty of wisdom and wit. You said: This book has tremendous characters and a plot which sucks you into such a different world, about which you find yourself caring desperately.
Another Country by James Baldwin You said: This is a book that shows how everyone can live and love together, passionately, dangerously, with exquisite music. Les Miserables by Victor Hugo A sweeping epic and a completely satisfying read by Victor Hugo.
Full of love, anger, drama and wit. Quite possibly the perfect novel. You said: A beautiful story of the power of redemption and a good heart along with a backdrop of the socio-economic iniquities of 19th century France. Beautifully written, it tugs the heartstrings. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl You said: This list wouldn't be complete without some of Dahl's magic, and my golden ticket is for this novel.
The Outsiders by S. Hinton We said: A coming-of-age tale of teenage rebellion, set in a winner-takes-all world of drive-ins, drag races and switchblades. It created an anti-hero from the wrong side of the class divide — all written when S. Hinton was just You said: The original YA novel, which sparked many crushes and made me fall in love with reading.
We said: An epic novel by Alexandre Dumas that will have you feeling all the emotions — and a prime example of the old adage that revenge is a dish best served cold. But I do believe that there must be a reason why classics are so revered and have stood the test of time so well, and get a great sense of pride out of finishing one. They are often more difficult to read than your average fiction book, however, so here is a list of 15 classics perfect for beginners. The Great Gatsby - F.
Scott Fitzgerald. Tags : book lists Books. You Might Also Like Books. Unknown October 13, at AM. Perfectly Tolerable October 14, at AM. Unknown November 24, at PM. Muhammad Rafey June 1, at AM. Rose on Columns August 12, at PM. Nikhil November 4, at PM. Emily Sarah January 15, at PM. Kasiacooks January 18, at AM. Unknown January 19, at AM. Subscribe to: Post Comments Atom. About me Hi! I'm Ellen, I'm 23 and I'm a blogger based in London.
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