Classic literature

[Anonymous]

I'm feeling the need to go back and read those sacred texts from HS English, the ones I blew off, or totally forgot, or that were never assigned because my high school sucked.

Could I get some suggestions for GOOD canon (or quasi-canon) reads? I love Bronte (both of 'em). So-so on Austen. I loathe Joyce. And it would be great if you could write a line about why your recommendation is a stand-out in your mind.

Much appreciated!

[Anonymous]

Great thread. I'm eager to see what the must-reads are too.

[Anonymous]

I would questions the canon. The best thing I did was venturing out of my comfort zone.

I suggest "The Yellow Wallpaper."

[Anonymous]

The Count of Monte Cristo, Dumas
Catch-22, Heller
Macbeth, King Lear, Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare

Great Gatsby (I actually think This Side of Paradise is better, but Gatsby is truly the classic), Fitzgerald

The first three I recommend simply because I enjoyed them. I also urge you to give Austen another try -- she's my hands-down favorite! The last one, to me, is a true high school classic. I don't find it a very satisfying story thematically, but the writing is beautiful.

Happy reading!

[Anonymous]

The Scarlet Letter is from a time period I find really boring, but I loved this book.

[Anonymous]

I second the Dumas suggestion, a very entertaining and accessible read!

I love Austen as well, she is my favorite. Another one of my favorites is A Brave New World. Of course there is always nineteen eighty four and Animal Farm.

Personally I would not suggest Catch 22 or Shakespeare to someone just starting out. Both are incredibly boring and are a great read if you are having insomnia.

[Anonymous]

Recently heard a discussion of Winesburg, Ohio, which I loved in HS. Made me want to reread it.

[Anonymous]

Any Steinbeck, but especially Grapes of Wrath or East of Eden.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

[Anonymous]

I, Claudius

Night (Elie Weisel)

Turn of the Screw, Henry James

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would questions the canon. The best thing I did was venturing out of my comfort zone.

I suggest "The Yellow Wallpaper."

YES! I was just thinking about this story the other day during a particularly rough day home with a sick child. I glanced at our bedroom wallpaper (it was here when we moved in a few months ago) and thought of the protagonist sinking ever deeper into depression while being trapped in that room so she could "rest."

"The Awakening" by Kate Chopin might not be on a high school list (as you mentioned in your originial post) but it is a must read. I would also suggest "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston. I did read that in high school, however, gained a lot more when I read it again in college.

Thank you for starting this thread -- I am going to dig out my books from college today.

[Anonymous]

Don't forget the third Bronte, Anne. Classic "before its time" feminist text: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. Excellent.

Some find Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton morbid and depressing, but I think it's devastating and beautiful. Be ready to cry.

John O'Hara is not that well known but Appointment in Samarra and Butterfield 8 are worthwhile reads. Kind of a cross between Fitzgerald and Cheever.

[Anonymous]

Catch-22, boring? I read that in high school and found it mind altering.

[Anonymous]

I second 'A Tree Grows in Brooklyn'. So so good.

Throw in some Steinbeck: 'Grapes of Wrath' or, if you want to go shorter with 'Of Mice and Men.'

'Great Gatsby' is GREAT.

I just finished Hemingway's 'For Whom the Bell Tolls.' It took me a month to read, but it was worth it in the end.

The next big book I'm going to tackle is 'Anna Karennina'. I read the first 300 pages a while back, but got sidetracked with a new baby and a move, but I definitely want to return to it.

I loved Dickens' 'A Tale of Two Cities' when I read it in high school.

Also, these might not be in the cannon yet, but they should be: 'Sophie's Choice' by William Styron. 'Sacred Hunger' by Barry Unseld.

[Anonymous]

'To Kill a Mockingbird' is one of my all time favorite books.

'Of Mice and Men'

'Animal Farm'

'Lord of the Flies'

[Anonymous]

Look at high school booklists, Pulitzer prize winners, "top 100 lists," etc. for ideas. I have revisited many classics with Recorded Books since I spend a lot of time alone in my car. the Books I have reread in the last year or two:

All the King's Men
Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectations, David Copperfield
To Kill a Mockingbird (also all-time favortie; the perfect book!)
Of Mice and Men, East of Eden, Grapes of Wrath
The Fixer
Prayer for Owen Meaney
Lord of the Flies
Fahrehnheit 451
Catch 22

Happy Reading