As an English Major, I've come across my fair share of classic literature. Admittedly, a lot of the classics I've read so far have been tedious, and some even plain pointless when you look at them from the eyes of a 21st century native. Nevertheless, there are indeed others that I have fallen completely in love with, ones that I believe you should read at least once in your lifetime. So I've curated this list with a handful of classics that I highly recommend - and while the list is short, there really is something for everyone. Because, no, classics are not always dense and a chore to get through.
1. 1984 - George Orwell
If you've never read anything by George Orwell, his works tend to be quite political. The epitome of it all is 1984, in my opinion. If you're a fan of dystopias the likes of The Hunger Games and The Handmaid's Tale, this is definitely a must-read for you. So grab a copy and immerse yourself in a world where everything you do is watched and scrutinised, a world that revolves around breaking you until you become a mere shell of who you once were.
2. The Go-Between - L.P. Hartley
A story of high society, love, jealousy, childhood naïvety... This book promises a lot, but that's fine because it absolutely delivers all that and more. Pick this up on a hot summer afternoon and you will instantly be transported to the novel's main setting, Norfolk. Although L.P. Hartley first published it almost 70 years ago, The Go-Between's a pretty easy read, penned in a way which makes you want to keep flipping page after page until you've reached the very final line of the story - and then you're still left wanting more!
3. Paradise Lost - John Milton
I feel like you'll either love this one, or absolutely despise it - there's no middle ground when it comes to John Milton's Paradise Lost. It's an epic story in verse, and at its core it is essentially a Genesis retelling, the main difference being that the focus is on the most infamous fallen angel of all time, Lucifer. Yes, way before Tom Ellis was cast as the devil himself, Milton was already giving the sly snake a voice. Side note: this was written in the 1600s, and while I think it's easier than reading Shakespeare (and, yes, a Shakespearean play shall be included on this list), I'd recommend finding a more modern edition to keep yourself from getting perplexed every time that long s - ſ - pops up (don't ask).
4. Sherlock Holmes - Arthur Conan Doyle
This had been on my list of books to read ever since an entire episode of Phineas and Ferb was dedicated to Candace using Holmes as a mentor to help her bust her brothers. And because I am not crazy in the slightest, it only seemed natural for me to buy the whole collection bound in one 1122-page brick of a book while on holiday in London. I can confirm, though, that the extra luggage weight was 100% worth it. Arthur Conan Doyle's creation is truly a classic for a reason, and I highly suggest giving at least one of the books in the collection a shot (some of them are short story collections, so they're really quick and easy reads). It truly is the detective story of all detective stories.
5. Othello - William Shakespeare
I have a special place in my heart for this Shakespearean play. Having had to study it 3 times (first for my A levels, then for my first year at Uni, and then again when I was on Erasmus), it kind of grew on me. It's crazy, though, because the theme of racism which Shakespeare dived into 400 or so years ago is still incredibly relevant today. Now, of course, plays are meant to be seen, not read, but whether you choose to do one or the other, it's one I recommend if you're looking to dip your toes into a Shakespearean tragedy.
Now that my English student days are over, you'd think I've had enough of reading classics, but there are surprisingly quite a number I still intend to get to. I'd love to know if you've read any breathtaking classics that you think should have been on this list, so be sure to let me know of any in the comments!
Comments