As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner. You get used to the lyrical language that conveys this haunting short tale about a family journeying to fulfill a promise to bury their dead wife/mother with “her people.” It is ultimately a study in one of the great literary themes: the struggle between self and family. Read this book partly just to say you did…and then tell people how good it really is.
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. It is a big book because it tells a big story. Mixed in amongst the grand story of Russia’s defense against Napoleon are character studies of deep meaning, expertly rendered. Read this book to be swept away in a multi-character drama where you both like and dislike every one of them. Reading this book is like bingeing four seasons of your favorite show on HBO, and it is all in one book!
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen. Billed as an “English Manners Love Story” this classic is best viewed as a study of mistakes. In this case, the heroine’s pride and prejudice blind her to the mistakes she is making in selecting a mate. Read this book for the flowery prose and to remind yourself to not “judge a book by its cover.”
Fathers and Sonsby Ivan Turgenev. A young man returns from university in 19th century Russia, bringing along a brash nihilist friend. But does the friend really believe in nothing? Or, does he simply believe things are not working now. Read this book to explore interesting ideas about love, belief and manners.
Link to review of As I lay Dying by William Faulkner on this site.
Link to review of War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy on this site. (Coming soon)
Link to review of Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen on this site.
Posted by Pablo 6/30/2022
Well sheesh Pablo, of course it looks like you’re missing a lot of great classics. But I’ll give you this your little summaries are spot-on. I hope you’re planning to add to this list.
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