So, I just read The Great Gatsby for the first time (yes, because of the movie!) and I realized that I really haven’t read many English classics.
I was a French major, so most of my English lit was studied in high school, where I remember poetry, a lot of modern selections, and Shakespeare (specifically Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet. In OAC English, my partner and I were assigned a presentation on the “Appearance vs Reality” theme in Hamlet, and we used Counting Crows’ “Mr. Jones”. Reflect on the lyrics, it was quite brilliant of us, I think. Another duo was presenting on the relationship of the brothers, and used a clip from The Lion King, when Scar kills Mufasa. Also quite deep for 18 year olds, in my opinion.)
So clearly I remember English class, but not many classics. With summer coming and hopefully some beautiful, sitting-by-the-pool days ahead, I’d like to catch up on some great books that I may have missed, so I’m looking for suggestions. What’s your favourite classic? Is there one that you go back to on a regular basis, or that made such an impact on you the first time that you’ll never forget it? Please leave a comment and let me know (don’t feel like you have to write me an English essay and prove your thesis or anything, just a title is fine if that’s all you want to provide!) and I can add it to my summer list. Thanks!
"Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen is a wonderful classic read.
I too, have not read "The Great Gatsby" and I just saw the film. Will be my next purchase.
Cheers.
~Dreena
For me it's a toss up between Gone With the Wind and Pride and Prejudice. Both are amazing.
Okay, so clearly "Pride and Prejudice" needs to be added to my list!
Oh, I love classic books, there are so many good ones to choose from. Gatsby is up near the top for sure. Also Pride and Prejudice, any of the Jane Austen books are fantastic. I also like all the books by the Bronte sisters, Emily, Charlotte and Anne.
Some of my favourites include Pride and Prejudice, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Catcher in the Rye, Little Women and Great Expectations.
Maybe a focus for book club?
I took quite a few English courses in uni- even though I have 2 science degrees…just in my blood or something. I read and enjoyed Homer's Oddessey, I have the Complete Works of Jane Austin (and SHAME ON YOU for not having read Pride and Prejudice), and have spent many hours reading these wonderful, fanciful books. I read my first copy of Gone with the Wind so many times it fell apart (although I'm not sure it actually counts as classic literature). Emily Bronte's Jane Eyre…you are doing yourself a disservise if you have not read this beautiful love store.
I just read Charlotte Bronte's The Professor, it was okay, but didn't touch Jane Eyre. Oddly enough I really liked Thomas Hardy for a few years and enjoyed the Mayor of Casterbridge, and I actually liked Tess. Many summers passed with a full review of Anne of Green Gables- and the whole series right through to Rilla. Lovely stories, Lucy Maude was superbly talented. Even the best movies can't recreate the true classics- the characters are etched in our minds with such individuality, someone is going to be disappointed. I refuse to see a movie if I have not first read the book. The book is always better.