Classics are fabulous—be it novels, movies, music, food or any other entity. Who doesn't like the classic “Rajma Chawal” or “Maacher Jhol-Bhaat” or a rendition of Mohammad Rafi songs? The nostalgia and charm attached to them give a warmth to the soul. Their timeless appeal is inescapable and the simplicity with which they come is heart-warming.
In the library (read the heart) of a book lover (or a hoarder for that matter), classic novels hold a special place, they take you back to a time (mostly the turn of the century) when matters were uncomplicated and manners were important; a simpler time. Gallant gentlemen, beautiful damsels and all the charm in the world. Oh, nothing can compare to joy of reading and getting lost in the wonderful world created.
Like Caroline Bingley (Pride and Prejudice) says:
“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! -- When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.”
Here are the top ten English Classics which every book lover must possess:
1. Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen):
“There are few people whom I really love, and still fewer of whom I think well. The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it; and every day confirms my belief of the inconsistency of all human characters, and of the little dependence that can be placed on the appearance of merit or sense.”
© Amazon
A staple in every novel connoisseur's library, Jane Austen's famed novel is an epic masterclass in love and the struggle one must endure in order to find a worthy partner. The novel that makes even the best of men to pale in comparison to Mr. Darcy, in the eyes of any woman/man.
Focusing on the five Bennet sisters, whose mother is hell bent on marrying them off to wealthy gentlemen (because what else is there to life, right?); her plan is set into motion when Mr. Bingley moves into the neighborhood. What follows is a cornucopia of verbal altercations, fancy balls, affairs, elopement and finally love.
The threshold for a romance hero, the handsome and mysterious Mr. Darcy and the feisty firebrand, Elizabeth Bennet star in this epic novel laced with emotions. The novel questions the archaic social constructs and your thoughts: is love more important than your pride and prejudice?
One of Jane's first feminist heroines, Elizabeth Bennet doesn't believe that marriage is essential for the sustenance of a woman's life (and rightly so) and has high ideals for a perfect mate.
Mr. Darcy on the other hand, is a man of the old world, and doesn't believe in the foolish notions of love leading to a continuous struggle between their ideas and fascination with each other.
An eternal story of love, romance and the adage of “opposites attract”, this novel is a must-have and must-read for every romantic ever.
P.S.: Whoever tells you that men shouldn't read Jane Austen, please hit them with the same novel.
USP: Elizabeth Bennet is one of the most entertaining characters to have been ever written. Mr. Darcy is the epitome of the perfect guy (and most probably your girlfriend's idea of the ideal boyfriend).
2. Wuthering Heights (Emily Brontë):
“If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be; and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the universe would turn to a mighty stranger.”
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The doomed romance of a man who becomes a (metaphorical) monster, pining for the love of the woman he can't have, Wuthering Heights is a delight to read.
With its supernatural, goth themes and forbidden romance, this story will make your heart weep for the two leads; surly Heathcliff and the sultry Catherine Earnshaw. Emily Brontë's celebrated novel follows the story of two star-crossed lovers, who grow up together but can't marry because the society wouldn't approve.
Emily Brontë brings to life the emotions of a wronged man, his agony and despair over his life and the choices he makes, is a case study in the human psyche and morality. The heroine, unlike other heroines of other novels, is not a goody-two shoes and is a manipulative woman who doesn't care about what stands in her way and stands up to the social injustice meted out because of her gender yet is unsure about her choices.
Charting the lives of the leads from their childhood to their eventual doom, and the effect it has on their posterity, the novel touches upon the dark side of love.
The novel features an anti-hero and anti-heroine, they are not your quintessential characters; they are flawed and make mistakes, wherein lies the beauty of the novel. Inspired by Emily's own personal struggles, this novel is one of the best romantic novels of all time, a departure from archaic Victorian novels of that age.
USP: The thrilling and ominous tone of the novel will make you feel that you are reading a suspense. Heathcliff is the most relatable character, you need to read it to know it.
3. Anna Karenina (Leo Tolstoy):
“If you look for perfection, you'll never be content.”
© Penguin Classics
Don't we all just want to be loved?
Leo Tolstoy's epic drama about a woman in 19th century Russia, we follow Anna in her struggle to fit into society, trying to maintain her stature and achieve her dream of a perfect life. The realist fiction novel has all the classic elements: affairs, societal pressure, infidelity, social classism, grand balls, family and religion.
Spread over eight parts, segregated into two volumes, it focuses on Countess Anna whose scandalous affair with a cavalry officer, Count Alexei Kirillovich Vronsky, has made her the stock for gossip around Saint Petersburg.
After a socially unsuccessful flee to Italy with her lover, to get away from her tarnished reputation and have her only hope for happiness, but returns with Vronsky to Saint Petersburg, only to be shunned by society and becoming increasingly jealous and paranoid about her lover. Eventually, she sets out on a path of self-destruction to find what she what thought was once love.
A parallel story runs with Konstantin "Kostya" Dmitrievich Lëvin, fashioned on Leo Tolstoy himself, who shares the same social circles as Anna and is struggling with his own love life and religious sentiments. Shunned by his object of desire, Kitty, in favor of Vronsky, Levin further falls into the cynical trap of helplessness.
Tolstoy's heroine is beautiful and smart, but her greatest quality is that she is human, like any of us. Without falling into a troupe of larger-than-life heroines, she manages to engage the reader throughout. The same can be said about Vronsky, but his nonchalance can become irritating after a time.
USP: Trains seems to be a recurring theme in the novel, most of the important scenes happen on the trains or on the platforms; an allegory to the strength of communication but also the depth of the distance between lovers.
4. Jane Eyre (Charlotte Brontë):
“If all the world hated you and believed you wicked, while your own conscience approved of you and absolved you from guilt, you would not be without friends.”
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The Bronte Sisters changed English literature with their novels forever; it is a shame that they never got to live enough to see their work being appreciated.
Jane Eyre is a beloved classic centering on an orphan girl, Jane who is unloved and uncared for all her life and her journey to finding herself and the strength within.
Narrated by Jane, the novel charts her journey starting at age ten, left in the care of her unfeeling aunt who prefers her to be gone and demeans her every chance she gets. Friendless but strong, Jane is sent away to a boarding school, Lowood which changes her outlook towards life and finally finds a purpose. She befriends Helen Burns who awakens her philosophical side.
Thereupon, the novel shifts to an older Jane, who becomes a governess at Thornfield Hall and eventually falls in love with Mr. Rochester, her employer who seems perfect. The rest of the novel deals with the aftermath of her love and the trials and tribulations has has to face in lieu of the things she deserves.
Jane Eyre is a strong female character, used as a question by Charlotte on the archaic principles set by society. She is shown as a woman with a personality; though she might look frail, her mind is made of steel, constantly challenging themes such as sexuality and religion. The novel poignantly touches topics which people prefer to ignore.
5. 1984 (George Orwell):
“War is peace.
Freedom is slavery.
Ignorance is strength.”
© Amazon
George Orwell's dystopian, sci-fi, political novel is a much loved and revered English Classic. Playing on themes of modern science and technological advancements, this novel is the perfect example of fore-shadowing by an author way ahead of his time, portraying the perils of a totalitarian world. The elements and themes of the novel are exemplary; be it the division of the world in super-states and the division of the classes and the ministries which enforce the rules and the unseen, omnipresent leader of Oceania, Big Brother.
With its futuristic setting, it follows a world which has been torn apart by atomic wars and conflict and stripped down to three totalitarian zones: Oceania, Eurasia and Eastasia.
Set in 1984, it follows middle class Outer Party member, Winston Smith who lives in Airstrip One (fictional Britain) and works at the Ministry of Truth, which works to rewrite history according its terms. Anyone who falls in the Party's bad books disappears. Everyone is constantly monitored by the Think Police using double-sided screens.
Sexually and mentally frustrated with his life, Winston thinks of rebelling against the Party and become a “thoughtcriminal” and starts a forbidden affair with Julia, which only makes matters worse. What follows is a manic ride of suspense and intrigue.
The novel features a highly developed system to track people who think and don't conform to the ideas of their state. “Newspeak” is used as a medium to limit the thinking of a person, with limited vocabulary and restricted grammar, it is a satire on the freedom of speech. What is mind-blowing about the novel is the thought process behind the different concepts employed, which are seeing the light of the day in today's era. “Doublethink” featuring in the novel is the ability to hold two completely contradictory thoughts simultaneously while believing both to be true; imagine that.
USP: The novel is an allegory of the degradation of human thinking and values and the falling standards of life and the political machinations that play a role in it. It is astonishing that a book published in 1948 is still relevant.
6. War and Peace (Leo Tolstoy):
“If everyone fought for their own convictions there would be no war.”
© Penguin Classics
Another Leo Tolstoy magnum opus, the novel deals with the revolution in Russia and the conflict between France and Russia during the reign of Napoleon.
The focus is given on five aristocratic families: the Bezukhovs, the Bolkonskys, the Rostovs, the Kuragins and the Drubetskoys, and how they strive to maintain their status in a war-ridden Russia.
The intertwining and intermingling of the families set the tone of the novel.
Though war plays a significant subplot, the main emphasis is given on the result of actions of individuals and their experience. The 19th century backdrop with an impending war makes this an intriguing read.
Count Pyotr Kirillovich ("Pierre" Bezukhov) is the main character and is a manifestation of Tolstoy's own ideas and beliefs, an alter-ego of himself. Socially inept and illegitimate, his fortune makes him desirable in society though he strives to become more successful in his social skills and tries to mature as a person.
A study of the political implications on personal life, this novel is regarded as one of the greatest novels of all time. Inspired by real-life characters and incidents with Napoleon and Prince Mikhail Kutuzov featuring in it, this epic is a gigantic mixture of intellectual writing with
Tolstoy's heroines make the most significant impacts in the novel and the readers, especially Natasha Rostova who epitomizes grace, intelligence and though not classically beautiful (as mentioned in the novel) is vivacious and puts most of the story in action.
USP: The novel is a great history lesson, with its realist themes and an equally divine prose by Leo Tolstoy, the vulnerability of the characters makes them more endearing; a critique of the 19th Century history, if you will.
7. Little Women (Louisa May Alcott):
“I've got the key to my castle in the air, but whether I can unlock the door remains to be seen.”
© Vintage Classics
Set in the Civil War Era, Little Women focuses on the four sisters of the March family residing in Massachusetts, headed by the matriarch Margaret “Marmee” March. With their father off at war, the sisters; Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, must strive to fulfill his aspirations for them and fulfill their own dreams.
With family as a main theme, this novel written by Louisa May Alcott was a stupendous success when published and was loved by the masses.
The novel, written in two volumes, follows the March sisters as they mature from young adolescents to mature women, each with their own charisma, intelligence and perception of the world.
When tragedy strikes the March household, each girl learns something from the loss they have suffered.
They befriend the neighbor boy, Lawrence (Laurie) who is their second male acquaintance after their father, who introduces them to various adventures. Jo is the character who shines in the novel, be it her adherence to her principles or her love for her family.
The characters are extremely well-written and grow throughout the novel;
Meg, with her dreamy outlook and her penchant for good things and her eventual disillusionment, Josephine, the tomboy and rash second-eldest daughter with a love for books and writing,
Beth, the good-natured, musically-inclined, shy person who is loved by all and
Amy, the youngest and the spoilt one who is obsessed with her looks and is an artist.
A sweet tale about friendship, love, family and most importantly one's uniqueness, this novel will surely make you cry and laugh and the characters will remain with you long after you have turned the last page.
USP: The witty writing and the beautiful, eloquent prose is a reason why you should have this novel. It will change your outlook towards life and make you realize the way we take some things for granted.
8. Tess of the D'Urbervilles (Thomas Hardy):
“A strong woman who recklessly throws away her strength, she is worse than a weak woman who has never had any strength to throw away.”
© Penguin Classics
Thomas Hardy's scandalous novel features Tess, a young, country girl whose life gets entwined with the rich and powerful D'Urbervilles. In the hopes of a better life and constant pressure from her family to use her beauty to her advantage, she falls prey to circumstance and ends up losing her spirit, helped by the notorious Alec D'Urberville.
Furthermore, she reinvents herself, falls in love and starts life anew but unbeknownst to her, her past catches up with her. How she faces her hardships is what sets the tone for the rest of the novel.
Initially censored because of its sexual themes and the non-adherence to classical Victorian novels, the novel has now garnered praise and is considered a classic.
With motifs of modernism, Hardy explores the underlying prejudice of the rich and how their influence on the lower classes changed the class system in England. Set in 1870s, during the Long Depression, the novel focuses on the way the poor were misled and how the minds of people can be changed by a few flattering words, apparent in the episode of the Parson telling Tess's father that he is related to the D'Urbervilles which sets in motion the eventual ruin of Tess. The continuous struggle between the poor and rich is the main theme, seen from the eyes of a woman, whose desires and beauty lead her to her doom.
Divided in seven phases, Tess's life starts from that of a maiden to a future she never had dreamt.
USP: The language of the novel and the character development is exceptional.
9. Middlemarch (George Eliot):
“And, of course men know best about everything, except what women know better.”
© Penguin Classics
George Eliot's historical novel is a tale of an intelligent woman who believes in the service of others and that a good deed never remains unnoticed.
Set in the fictitious Middlemarch in the late 1820's we find ourselves focusing on Eliot's idealist heroine, Dorothea Brooke, beautiful and intelligent with high aspirations and who wants to make a difference in the society starting by actively renovating buildings for farmers. She marries an elderly gentleman, Rev. Edward Casaubon, in the same hopes and to help him in his research but ends up being disappointed when her husband turns out to be completely different from her imaginings. She then starts anew on her ideas on her own but is looked down upon by the society, further fueled by her close friendship with Will Ladislaw.
The novel also features other subplots pertaining to an intelligent but unsuccessful doctor Tertius Lydgate whose ideals are questioned when he tries to woo his eventual wife, the mayor's vain and shallow daughter, Rosamond Vincy. His quest entraps him in a difficult predicament which he had not foreseen.
Both Dorothea and Tertius are born in the wrong century; seen as pedants by their peers, they let their wrong decisions and egos come to the fore in the journey of fulfilling their ideals.
USP: George Eliot's shrewd understanding of the society makes this novel a compelling read. Her story differs from her contemporary novelists and this is where she stands out.
10. Fahrenheit 451 (Ray Bradbury):
“If you hide your ignorance, no one will hit you and you'll never learn.”
© Penguin Classics
Imagine a world with no books. Dreary, isn't it?
Published in 1953, another dystopian novel showing a rapidly deteriorating world, the plot follows Guy Montag, a fireman whose job is to burn books (the title being the temperature at which paper burns). Books are frowned upon by the current society and it is the job of these firemen to purge the society of books. Entertainment comes from parlor-walls (flat-screen TVs) and other sources like movies and comics. It is only books which are being erased while magazines (sex, lifestyle and decor) and other media forms thrive.
Guy Montag has a change of heart when he meets his new neighbor, teenaged Clarisse, a forward-thinking and progressive girl who changes his perception of books and his life. When he tries to incorporate the same with his television and drug-obsessed wife, his life changes for the worse. His attempt to change the society comes with a terrible price, a fact he hadn't anticipated.
A horde of elements feature in the novel: a Hound that sniffs out books and helps the firemen to destroy books, a boss who sees no evil in the destruction of books. It lays bare the society's fixation on easily available entertainment and the fact that people do not want to use their brains or provide nourishment to their mind leading to narrow-minded thinking and a shallow society.
USP: The ingenious imagination of the author shines through the novel. It is a must-read because of its avant-garde plot, inspired by Bradbury's own experiences.
So, have you read these? If not, go and buy these and make your personal library a little more beautiful.
Happy Reading! :D
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