For anyone who’s ever taken an English Literature class, you remember it well. The required reading is often loaded with “classics.” Those novels that are considered some of the greatest literature of all time and a must-read for everyone at least once in their lifetime.
Unfortunately, some classics leave us bored and struggling to get through the whole thing. On the other hand, some are just right and have truly stood the test of time. The following are ten classics that are always worth reading.
- Wuthering Heights – Gothic imagery, toxic relationships, ghosts, love, hate, passion, and more. What could be better? Wuthering Heights, a book I affectionately sum up as “the love story of toxic assholes,” has it all. Unlikable protagonists that you don’t want to root for but still find fascinating because they’re so deliciously well-written. Not your mother’s romance novel, Wuthering Heights is a cautionary tale on the dangers of too much passion and how it can lead to the destruction of all who have the misfortune to be near it.
- The Outsiders – Full disclosure, I only recently read this one for the first time. It’s one of those classics that slipped under my radar for years. Having read it, I can say that the hype is fitting. It’s a simple story, told in just under 200 pages. Yet, author S.E. Hinton manages to pack a range of thematic emotions within that small time frame. And yes, the fact that Hinton began writing The Outsiders at just 14 years old, and completed it at the still young age of 16, makes it all the more impressive.
- To Kill a Mockingbird – A staple of most English Literature syllabuses, and for a good reason. It’s an excellent novel. Told through the innocence of a child’s eyes, To Kill a Mockingbird is a sobering exploration of race in the deep South during the Great Depression. And while perhaps not a fun read, it’s certainly an emotional one that explores various meaningful themes about life.
- Wide Sargasso Sea – Indeed, most people are likely far more familiar with this novel’s predecessor – Jane Eyre. And while Jane Eyre certainly holds its own among the pantheon of classics, Wide Sargasso Sea ranks higher for me. One reason is like author Jean Rys, I was more intrigued by the “crazy wife locked in the attic” while reading Jane Eyre than I ever was by Rochester or Jane and their ill-fated romance. I wondered why and how this woman went mad and why her husband thought locking her up in a tower was a sound idea. And Rys does an excellent job of transforming the “woman in the attic” from a shadowy, background character into a fully-realized person.
- The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn – I’ve read and understand the many criticisms about this book, namely Mark Twain’s use of some very offensive language. However, in my opinion, one has to consider that the novel is indicative of its time, in the way some films and music are. Once you do, I believe it’s easy to appreciate the heartfelt story that’s told. Huckleberry Finn is an unquestionably flawed character. However, there is a kindness and innocence that Twain expertly showcases through the unlikely friendship with Jim and their journey together along the Mississippi River.
- And Then There Were None – I love the Mystery/Thriller genre. It’s currently my favorite book genre. So naturally, I had to see for myself if the acclaim was warranted for what is dubbed, “one of the greatest mystery/thrillers of all time.” And yes, it is. Not even the fact that I figured out the guilty party halfway through the novel dampened my enjoyment. Because I was still captivated by the “why” and “how.” Obviously, the list of Agatha Christie’s collective works is long. However, there is a reason And Then There Were None remains a standout for many.
- East of Eden – If someone told me while reading the first 20 chapters of East of Eden, I’d come to love it and declare it one of my favorite classics, I would have laughed in their faces. That’s how difficult it was to initially get into the story. At some point however, it all came together and I found myself flying through the remaining chapters. East of Eden is a novel that takes its time developing the characters’ backstories, the story setting, and conflict. But when it’s firmly established, you’re left with an astounding, sweeping story of family, love, loss, and betrayal, all told alongside a rich undertone of biblical themes and imagery.
- The Scarlet Letter – Patriarchal rule negatively impacts and controls a woman. There’s something we’ve never seen (sarcasm is intentional). For this, and many other reasons, The Scarlet Letter is not exactly a fun or even easy book to read. But it is a significant and empowering read. Hester Pryne, although woefully mistreated, never allows herself to be a victim or cower in the shame that’s expected of her.
- Emma – This is one of my long-held “unpopular book opinions.” I know consensus dictates that I include Pride and Prejudice when considering Jane Austen’s works. However, Emma holds a special place in my heart. And to be clear, this does not mean I disliked Pride and Prejudice. Far from it. It’s just not high on my list of favorite classics. There is a lightness in Emma that I didn’t find in many of Austen’s other works. It’s just a fun read – from the hapless characters, to the constant miscommunication and heartwarming love stories.
- Othello – Yes, technically, this is a play and not a novel. But I say it still counts. The list of brilliant works from Shakespeare is long. And I enjoyed many of them. However, Othello ranks highly because it is predominantly told from the perspective of, in my opinion, one of the greatest literary villains of all time. Throughout the play, we follow this one man’s determination to destroy so many lives with no obvious motive. Yes, there was a desire for power, and potentially a racial component, since Othello was a man of color (another factor that makes the play so intriguing for its time). Or perhaps Iago was merely a psychopath or all of the above. The reader never knows the answer because Shakespeare cleverly ends the play with Iago’s resolution to not say why he made the choices he did. It’s all left up to the reader to figure it out. Othello is a fascinating character study because while the reader understandably hates Iago and his actions, he is still compelling.
PoPnOgR@PhY 