Despite what the weather might say, it’s spring and it’s a nice time of year to take some leisure time and enjoy a good book. Most people enjoy a nice, quick, page-turner for their relaxing beach reads, unfortunately beach season is still a few months away. So instead, why not enjoy a true classic for your spring reading.
There are plenty of excellent modern novels to dive into, but the classics are classic for a reason and you should really think about checking a few of the notable ones out. What makes a book a classic is not that it’s a very old work from a famous author, or that some scholars deemed it a classic years ago. The real meaning of a classic is the type of book that changes each time you read it. You could read these gems a dozen times and still find new things or develop a new understanding.
So before you pick up the latest best-seller, take a look at some of the classics you might have missed or might want to revisit.
Don Quixote by Miguel De Cervantes
Fully titled, The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha, this is actually a Spanish novel which has understandably been translated into several different languages. This is the tale of a man who gets swept up in the idea of heroism and the concept knighthood that he fails (or chooses not to) see the real world around him. The novel walks a fine line between comedy and tragedy, but it’s a fun read and even better to revisit.
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
The great Russian novelist Tolstoy crafted, what is genuinely seen as his best work, in several installments between 1873 and 1877. The novel is a work of realist fiction, telling the life story of Russian aristocrat Anna Karenina in the late 19th century. The novel delves into such complex themes as faith, family and jealousy, weaving a compelling story as it shifts between characters. It may not be the easy read you were looking for but it’s well worth your time.
Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift
A true satire if there ever was one. Swift’s cheeky little adventure is at once a parody of the popular-at-the-time travel novels and a commentary on human nature. While some of the humour may be lost on you due to the fact that this was written in 1726, there’s still plenty to amuse you. It would be a great novel to read following Robinson Crusoe, as it seems to be a direct rebuttal of that work.
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
If you are looking for a genuine adventure, look no further than the works of Dumas. The author had a keen talent at constructing those swashbuckling tales, and while The Three Musketeers would fit very comfortably in a list of classics, this is his real masterpiece. A tale of revenge and what revenge costs, it’s a thrilling and captivating read and a reminder that they don’t write adventure books like they used to.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by John Le Carré
Le Carré is seen as perhaps the greatest spy novelists of all time and this novel is his crowning jewel. Those looking for the shootouts and car chases of the Bond novels may be disappointed, but those looking for a twisting, turning Cold War thriller can do no better.
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Another novel to explore human nature, but unlike the lightness of Swift’s satire, Golding’s take is quite dark indeed. It tells the story of a group of young boys who find themselves stranded on a deserted island and attempt to create some form of governing among themselves. Things do not go well. It’s a fascinating read and asks a lot of complex questions you’ll be pondering long after.
The Call of the Wild by Jack London
An easier read than some of the works on this list, London’s wilderness adventure is still complex and full of interesting ideas. It follows the journey of a dog who is stolen and sold as a sled dog in Yukon. It’s a quick read and the subject matter may seem a little juvenile to some but that’s the sort of assumptions that make a person miss out on a great book.
Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome
If you’re in for a laugh, this has been regularly called the funniest novel ever written. It’s a simple account of three friends who take a boating vacation down the Thames and talk and act like old friends often do. Though written in 1889, you’ll be surprised to find the humour of the novel has aged remarkably well. A nice breezy read to put a smile on your face.