Pride & Prejudice
This all-favorite by Jane Austin still reckons with book lovers in the twenty-first century, nearly 250 years after its publication. Sparks fly high between the fierce and outspoken Elizabeth Bennet and arrogant William Darcy in this romance. The story follows the life of Elizabeth Bennet a sassy and intelligent young woman, who is never afraid to speak her mind and her quest for love. Despite all the recent feminist onslaught, it continues to entertain and delight readers across the globe due to its universal appeal.
Jane Eyre
This coming of age novel by Charlotte Bronte narrates the exceptional survival tale of protagonist Jane Eyre. Published under the pen name “Currer Bell”, on 16 October 1847, novel was the first of its kind. Although dismissed by critics as anti-christian at the time of its publication. The novel rose to meteoric rise since then and Jane is considered the first modern female heroine. The novel charts Jane’s progress from a docile orphan to a career woman and her subsequent marriage to Edward Rochester.
Sons and the Lovers
D.H Lawrence’s magnum opus The Sons and Lovers published in 1913 was the first novel on the premises of psychoanalysis. The novel exploring the complex relationship between the protagonist and his mother, a result of oedipus complex. The novel narrates the story of Paul who is obsessively devoted to his mother and hates his father. The relationship often borders on romance and desire. The novel reflects Lawrence’s own devotion to his mother and was largely written at the time of his mother’s illness.
Things Fall Apart
No other novel comes closer to depicting the horrors of coloniasation as Nigerian author Chinua Acheb’s masterpiece, Things Fall Apart published in 1958. The first modern African novel has since become an important historical document tracing the influence of colonialism and important work in post-colonial studies. the novel follows the life of Okonkwo, an Igbo(“Ibo” in the novel) man and local wrestling champion in the fictional Nigerian clan of Umuofia.
One hundred years of Solitude
Published in 1967 by the celebrated Columbian author Gabriel Garcia Marquez, One Hundred Years Of Solitude remains a classic. No other writer has depicted the latin American society so vividly and realistcally as Marquez. The novel adopts the magic realism as a style to depict the complex and almost mythical reality of Latin American countries. The novel traces the story of Buendia in the fictional town of Mocando. Published at a time of literary latin -American boom. The novel has been since published into thirty-seven languages and is a must for anyone who wants to explore the Colombian culture and myth.
I love pride and prejudice
Me too!
What a great list.
Great literature
Yes I have read some of them, and added the others to my own list. 🙂 Peace.
Even I need to take out some time to re-read these classics, somehow hard-pressed for time.
Yes, I understand. I think one of the reasons electronic media is so popular is that it is a lot of info moving very quickly. And it makes us think we are making are time count. Books however are an investment. The time we put into reading brings us an immense treasure as a reward. Peace.
Totally agree… books are greatest treasures that we have
🙂
What a great collection. I have read only one. Thanks for the recommendation. Will read them
These are great reads, must read when ever you have time.
Sure will do that. Thanks for the recommendations
Since i am not literature fraternity.even then i will like to read books suggested by you
An interesting selection but probably one for literary addicts rather that general readers. Dan Brown’s Da Vinci code sold five million or more and Harry Potter comes a close second . Interestingly enough 50 Shades sold millions very quickly and Barbara Cartland is one of the world’s most popular authors. The now ostracized Enid Blyton was enormously popular, but times have moved on and the academics have cast her aside as most unsavoury.
If we go to the free download site Gutenberg they list the most popular downloads and Pride and Prejudice often heads the list, but remember this site contains no modern books as they are busy collecting royalties.
How do we judge the quality of books ? is it not subjective anyway ? do numbers count for much? I think the best yardstick must be the test of time ; in which case Jane Austen deserves high recognition along with Charles Dickens.
I agree that there remains a gulf between popular fiction and literature, that is why I chose to keep the the title the 5 must reads for literature lovers rather 5 must reads for books lovers. Any how as you rightly said what books one like is subjective and personal. There are many actually Charles Dickens, Marlowe, Lewis Carroll, Dostoevsky etc. etc. As far as bestsellers are concerned it has lot to do with marketing and publishing houses and of course paid reviews. Thanks for reading out I truly appreciate it.
It’s refreshing to read your post. I have read some on your list and will definitely pick up the others! Reading first-rate literature is the best way to ensure a quality life!
Hi, Lynne thanks for reading out, truly appreciate it. I agree that reading quality literature is really fine thing to do. There are many best-sellers out there but still cant beat first-rate literature.
I like Jane and DH. There’s a devastating critique of Lawrence in Kate Millet’s SEXUAL POLITICS 🍷🍷
I’ve not read ‘ Sexual Politics’ but I know it’s based on Simone de Beauvoir’s works. Millet belongs to second wave of feminist who were radicals and very unforgiving…she targeted Lawrence and his contempories for excessive pornography and objectification, however if you cast a glance on the entire ENGLISH LITERARY CANON from Chaucer’s ” The Wife of Bath’s Tale” to Post Modernists works such as ” Look Back in Anger” or “Waiting for Godot” they are all sexist. Female authors such as Austin, Bronte Sisters and Woolf have also not done much justice to female causes partly because of Social Milieu and the backdrop when these works were published.
D.H Lawrence’s ” Sons and Lovers’ I feel is a seminal book with regards to psychoanalysis, protagonist’s Oedipus Complex (Freud’s Phallic centric analysis is itself misogynist though) and mother fixation. I feel third wave of feminists are more accepting and have realized they will have to carve their own female space rather than critiquing men centric works, and one very good example is Canadian author Margret Atwood’s works.
Thank you, that is a lot to think about. I was reading a lot of feminist history and criticism last summer. I found it bracing and refreshing (and a little discomfiting). Oh well, I’m trying (I hope). A lot of my stuff is pretty sexist…’cause a lot of it is OLD. If the writing is good, I can forgive almost anything (I still like Pound, for instance, and nasty Tom Eliot). Atwood is perpetually wonderful, I’ve been watching her talks and interviews on YouTube lately and she is hilarious (my favourite kind of feminist!). I hope I am not ranbling ..you inspire me somehow ❤️❤️
Well at the end of the day it’s writing, we can’t measure each word according to feminism or other isms….
Atwood is very witty in her interview, even Tony Morrison is very eloquent in her interviews.
Ezra Pound’s poetry is really cool although his personal beliefs were controversial but art supersedes life. I’ve read just one novel of Eliot, guess it was Mill on the Floss…
I was miserable with Thomas Hardy’s slow burn plots and pessimism. I really like Christopher Marlowe and Milton… both Dr. Faustus and Paradise Lost are my absolute favourite s…
I guess enough literature for day bye bye
yes, Milton was a total cutie-pie…bye bye 😊
Thanks I’ll write a long mail discussing literature… I love it so much. But this young woman is not that young and is in early stages of Arthritis… my neck and arms are very stiff nowadays, I can’t type much once recovered bI’ll drop heavy literary discourses at your disposal 🙂
That would thrill me beyond all measure. And I’m old too…arthritis in my neck now 😘😘
Yes please 😍