Classic literature isn’t always on a leisure readers To-Be-Read list. Classic books tend to be linked to dusty and old prose, which are intangible and only for literature intellectuals with a PHD.
However many find that after just dipping a toe into the classics river, they become fully submerged in humorous, thought-provoking and brilliantly crafted stories, centuries older than our modern world.
This is by no means an extensive list of the captivating classics that are available, but a gateway into the classic realm for anyone who wants to dive into the Brontë, Austen, Dickins world and start a journey into the heart of literary excellence.
1984 by George Orwell
One of the most important works of the 20th century, 1984 brought many words into the cultural vernacular. Big Brother, doublespeak and the infamous slogan of War is Peace. George Orwell’s masterpiece only grows more haunting and relevant as we move into the future. Political satire was never meant to be this real.
As our main character Winston Smith loses himself in the bureaucratic nightmare of Ingsoc, you will be sucked in by this tantalizing plot and won’t be able to put it down: especially as the you can never quite work ouot what will happen in the end.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Great Gatsby is one of my all-time favourite books, so I had get it into this list. It’s very tragic and enigmatic, and is only around 100 pages long, so even if you find the prose difficult, it shouldn’t take you too long to get through.
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
An unforgettable read to start you on your way with classic reading. But do not be fooled; this is by no means a light-hearted book, with some heavy themes of racism and rape.
Lee’s captivating narrative will leave you speechless and compelled to read more at the same time, as you journey through some of the worst possible life inequalities to date.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
As the infamous story goes, this gothic thriller and cautionary tale on the unbounded powers of science, Frankenstein combines a strong narrative with moral limits and tragedy and heartbreak – what more could you want from a novel. Despite the countless film adaptations, this is a compelling read for any beginner.
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
While many of course have been almost forced to read this book time after time during secondary school literature classes, John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men is the perfect book to revisit to get back into classic reading. Only a short novella it is too so you’d stumble too much as you make your way through this familiar story.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice centers around a family with five unmarried daughters and their familial estate has been promised over to a male line descendant of the family. When the appearance of a rich Mr. Darcy comes to town, the action commences and we’re left with this wonderful tale.
Colin Firth and the many excellent and so-so adaptations of this book aside, Pride and Prejudice proves to be a literary masterpiece. This classic is a good place to start because the cast of characters are very varied and there’s a lot of witty/engaging dialogue which will pull you along into their developing relationships.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
Sherlock Holmes is perfect if you’re new to classics, particularly the short stories, which are essentially mini-mysteries which you’ll easily fly through in no time. I would recommend beginning with the short stories and then moving onto the novels.
shannonmountford 