According to Harriet Sanders’ article in the Pan Macmillian, a classic novel is a novel that has stood the test of time; it has a gripping story that is expertly crafted and brilliantly expressed. Classics become classics based on how they are used in academia, if publishers continue to publish the novel, and on the volume of sales, especially if it was a novel that was published a long time ago. As a lover of literature, I have dipped my toes into the classics, and while some haven’t lived up to my expectations, many have made their mark on my life, as a reader but also as a person. I do believe that someone who is barely picking up reading as a hobby might be frightened to open up a classic because it can be intimidating to read something of so much importance to literature. I am here to tell you that there is no reason to fear classics and that if you want to dip your toes in the world of classics, here are my top recommendations for starting.
Pride and Prejudice
This novel was written by Jane Austen in the late 1700s. It was first published as an epistolary novel in 1795 but later rewritten into how it remains today in 1813. If you’ve never heard of Pride and Prejudice, which I highly doubt, you are truly missing out on one of the most incredible literary works. This book is not only a passionate and beautiful love story but also touches on the troubles of life, family expectations, personal agendas and life in the 1700s. Austen’s writing is truly a work of art as she weaves so many different emotions and tones throughout Pride and Prejudice.
The novel is also filled with relatable characters that pull readers into the story because you will be able to see yourself in at least one of them. There’s Elizabeth, who’s a strong, independent, clever protagonist; her sister Jane, who is soft-spoken, kind, and gentle; and Kitty and Lydia, who are unique and rambunctious. On top of that, you have Mr. Darcy, who is almost completely clueless when it comes to social cues but is intelligent and special in his own way. Austen wrote such beautiful characters in this novel—they make the novel what it is—and have definitely played a key role in helping the novel stay influential even 200 years after being published.
I also believe Pride and Prejudice is a great first classic novel because for me, it was a very easy read. It is roughly only 300ish pages, and I found it easy to follow. The novel is a comfortable read: there are no intricate philosophical plot points or complicated battles that you need to remember while reading. This is the type of book that makes you just want to cuddle up on the couch with a cup of tea and read to relax.
Pride and Prejudice was one of the first classic novels I read, and I am so grateful that it was because it helped me ease myself into reading more complex works of literature. To this day, it is one of my favorite novels ever written and I cannot recommend it enough.
Frankenstein
Not only has this novel withstood the test of time, but it is also one of the most universally known stories and characters of all time. And while I am sure that you know the story of Frankenstein, nothing beats reading the novel that created this infamous monster, which has been reimagined countless times since its publication in 1818. Mary Shelley, the author, was the child of Mary Wollstonecraft and William Godwin, both of whom were very famous writers. She was also the wife of Percy Shelley, one of the most famous romantic poets of his time, so it is no surprise that Mary was also an incredibly talented writer herself.
Frankenstein was the product of a competition between Shelley and many other famous writers in the early 19th century when she was only 18 years old. It is one of the earliest examples of science fiction; Frankenstein was groundbreaking for the genre and was a pioneer for what we know science fiction to be today. This novel truly gave a spotlight for others to begin writing stories that leaned into the unknown, asked unique questions, and created new and interesting characters and plots.
Another major reason Frankenstein is a must-read is the underlying meaning behind all of the science fiction and action in the novel. At its core, Frankenstein is a novel about humans and the consequences humans face when they try to meddle in things that shouldn’t be. Victor Frankenstein wasn’t able to see the beauty in the way that life naturally was, so he decided to try to fix it for himself, only to end up making it much worse. This novel uncovers the true experience of what it is like to exist as a person in this world while touching on what is meant to be important in our lives.
And lastly, just like Pride and Prejudice, I believe Frankenstein is an easy read. This novel is fairly short, sitting at around 150–200 pages. While some of the terminology was a bit confusing at first, I found it easy to grasp as I continued reading. This book, in my opinion, is beginner friendly because it shouldn’t take you very long to read it; the majority of the story is well-known, so you won’t have any curve balls thrown at you while reading.
The Picture of Dorian Gray
The Picture of Dorian Gray is famous poet and playwright Oscar Wilde’s only novel and was published in 1890. I bring up this book any chance I can, even though I had unfortunately neglected to read it for years because everything that I had heard about it didn’t pique my interest. However, it was part of my required materials for a class called “The London Novel” that I took while studying abroad. I am so grateful that I was basically forced to read this classic because as soon as I picked it up, it was literally impossible to put down.
Without spoiling too much, one of the reasons I love The Picture of Dorian Gray is because of how raw and emotional it is. The novel touches deeply on one of my biggest insecurities, which is growing ugly from the inside out. Dorian Gray is a very complex character because he has this piece of him that continues to push him towards evil, and it slowly eats away at him. I think one reason that this novel is so amazing is because of how relatable this experience can be.
Another major reason to read this classic is because Oscar Wilde is a beautiful writer. He was most famous for his poetry, and that voice is reflected in the writing of The Picture of Dorian Gray. His words are elegant, and it really pulls the reader in. It is so easy to get trapped in beautiful writing, and I think that is one of the most influential reasons why this novel continues to be read over 100 years after being published. Wilde’s writing style is stunning and creates a space where you can really immerse yourself into the world of the novel; his focus on all the senses makes the reader feel as though they are right there next to Dorian the entire time.
Like the other two novels that I have mentioned, The Picture of Dorian Gray is not very long. Many editions are under 150 pages, which takes away the stress of reading a longer novel. I also think that this novel is such a thrilling experience that it really will feel like you can just plow through it because you will never want to put it down. It is a rich and beautiful work of art and I cannot believe I waited so long to read it; I promise you, you do not want to make that same mistake.
These three books are just the tip of the iceberg of classic novels: there are so many more out there that are equally as entertaining and incredible pieces of literature. For me, reading has always been a form of escape, and I am ever so grateful to have been able to read these pieces and share them with others. When I read something I know has been read by millions of other people, all from different time periods and walks of life, it is a feeling of connection like no other. I hope I’ve been able to help anyone who has been wanting to dip their toes into the world of classic literature and that I have helped get rid of any reservations that you might have to even consider reading a classic novel.