The Beginner’s Guide to Reading the Classics
Want to read classic literature but don’t know where to begin? Well, here’s a list of short and easy-read classics to get you started!
People say it’s important to read ‘The Classics’ whether you enjoy them or not. But, to me, reading is all about enjoyment. I agree that it’s important to have literature that can inform us of the societal norms of that period but if you’re not interested in reading such work then there’s no pressure to read it — and there are certainly many other interesting and great classics to start with!
How to know where to begin
There are lots of reasons that people read classics: for education or for pure enjoyment and pleasure. However, it is key to pin down the reason why you are starting to read classic literature. Knowing this will allow you to understand what to place on your reading list.
If you are going down the educational route you may have a non-negotiable book-list given to you by a lecturer. But, if you are reading for yourself, then I think it’s important to select a good book. Understandably, finding a ‘good book’ is quite hard and the phrase is quite broad but as a reader, you must determine for yourself what you classify as ‘good.’ More simply put, whilst it’s impossible to enjoy every book, it is important you feel encouraged to carry on reading.
I think the biggest tip I discovered when beginning my journey into reading classic literature was, “Don’t jump in at the deep end.” This is an overused saying when trying something new but rings true in this case, as it can be overwhelming to pick up an extremely complicated book as your first read.
Pride and Prejudice was my first ever classic and whilst the storyline was an immaculate combination of Jane Austen’s representation of society at the time and how she wanted her characters, specifically, women to break the constrictions of oppression — the old terminology and language meant this wasn’t an easy read for me (despite it being enjoyable.)
So, start off with some of the shorter novellas or one you will definitely enjoy.
15 Short Reads to Get You Started
1. The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
The entire concept of The Metamorphosis, quite frankly comes across as extremely strange. Gregor Samsa is known to be a hard-working man that provides for his family, until one day he wakes up to discover he has transformed into a giant beetle. However, this story illustrates the loneliness of disappointing people and delves into the mindset of certain mental illnesses.
Kafka has an interesting way of merging political thoughts, societal issues and fantasy into a compelling story. It’s short length means you will most likely complete the reading in one sitting, wishing that it was longer.
Number of pages: 100*
2. Animal Farm by George Orwell
This author is famous for his novel 1984, however Animal Farm is just as influential and is also a much simpler read. Both books showed Orwell’s political views and discussed totalitarianism. His interpretation of society was pictured through the hierarchy of animals on a farm which described dictatorship governments.
The comparisons he made between the animals and real-life were extremely clever and so powerful that the book has been banned many times due to its ‘problematic’ storyline.
Number of pages: 120*
3. The works of Agatha Christie
Her most well-known novel is Murder on The Orient Express but all of Christie’s work has received high praise.
Agatha Christie is the perfect place to begin if you’re a lover of murder mysteries and whodunnits. Each of her books can be read in order or as stand-alones. Evil Under The Sun, Sparkling Cyanide and the slightly lesser-known Miss Marple stories could be an alternative if you’ve already conquered the Poirot adventures.
4. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
A portrait of Dorian Gray is captured by an artist, Basil Hallward. When Dorian exchanges his soul for eternal beauty, the painting keeps him from ageing. The story is a reminder of morals and that being vain is often an ugly trait because for every sin that he commits, his image in the portrait rots.
This is too long to be classified as a novella but is an easy plot to follow with opportunity for a much more extensive analysis.
Number of pages: 245*
5. The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Just before the world is about to end, a human is faced with the reality that aliens are real and that he must discover the real meaning of life (42.) This hilarious story is a modern classic and was first introduced in 1978 as a BBC Radio show and then the first-of-the-five book series was published the following year. Since then a television series and film adaptation has also been released, showcasing how popular the plot is in every format.
Number of pages: 216*
6. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Mary Shelley’s novel was revolutionary when it was first brought out, as female authors were highly uncommon in the 1800s. Yet, Shelley didn’t hide behind the shadow of her famous husband and instead made a living by supporting herself through her writing.
Frankenstein was one of the first science fiction novels and was meant to show the consequences of having an obsession with power. The story also proves the sociological view that criminals are made rather than born.
If you like this classic monster story, try out Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
Number of pages: 260*
7. The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald
Everyone has heard of The Great Gatsby, many have seen the Leo DiCaprio film adaptation. But, have you read the book?
With such a title you may be surprised to discover that the book isn’t written from the perspective of Mr Gatsby himself. Instead, the book follows the POV of Nick Carraway, a character that barely knew Gatsby at the beginning but throughout the novel, his first conception changes drastically as he gets to know him better.
Very in line with The Jazz Age — tragedy, scandal, love and lavish parties are the centre focus of this book.
Number of pages: 180*
8. The Hobbit by JR Tolkien
Hobbits are very ordinary creatures, leading very mundane lives, but as Bilbo is reminded “Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.”
Originally written for JR Tolkien’s children, the novel was an instant hit and nearly 200 years later it is still a widely-read book. The adventure is the prequel to The Lord of The Rings and eases you into the world of Gandalf, elves, dwarves and hobbits. The story is a reminder of how we all come together in times of need, regardless of who we are and where we come from, hobbit or not.
“This is a story of how a Baggins had an adventure, and found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected.”
JR Tolkien, The Hobbit
Number of pages: 366*
9. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Little Women is a coming-of-age story telling the passage from childhood to womanhood. Following the lives of four sisters, experiencing their first loves, heartbreaks and grief. The individuality of Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy was a revolutionary representation of women.
Each sister could not want a more different life and this novel was one of the first representations in literature of women wanting more than a husband and children. Yet, the book reassured through Meg’s character that wanting a traditional family doesn’t make you less of a feminist.
To this day, many women hold this book close to their heart and I admit that it holds a very special place in my own.
Number of pages: 400*
10. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
This is not a story suitable for everyone due to it’s rather heavy nature and strong themes of mental health. However, the feeling of being lost in your 20s is something many people can relate to. In Plath’s novel, the main character is trying to navigate her way through living in a large city and adulting alone for the first time. She finds the prospect extremely daunting and soon her mental health begins to decline.
Set in the 1950s, it becomes very clear, very quick, how our attitude towards mental illnesses has changed. Psychological illnesses were seen as ‘craziness’ and the treatments described in the book weren’t humane but were true to the time period.
The book is an insight not only into the past but also the author, Sylvia Plath’s, life.
Number of pages: 294*
11. The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway
This novella was published in 1952 and was the most famous and last piece of Hemingway’s work to be published before his death in 1961. This was the book mentioned when he won the 1954 Prize in Literature. The captivating short-read follows a Cuban fisherman in the Gulf Stream and the Giant Marlin he hunts.
The main message is how strong human perseverance and resilience can be even in the face of hard struggles.
Number of pages: 96
12. Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift
You may have seen the film starring Jack Black, but the original novel was published in 1726. The classic tells of a man who stumbles upon an island full of miniature people who begin to think of him as God. As he succumbs to the idolisation he slowly begins to realise the importance of humility and respecting others.
Number of pages: 300
13. Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin
By no means an easy read, but Giovanni’s Room is most certainly an impactful one. The telling demonstrates the attitudes towards (and of) homosexual couples in the 20th century. The main character, David, tells of his feelings of shame and guilt because he doesn’t conform with society’s “norm.” Throughout there are subtle questions of what masculinity is and questions are posed to the reader.
Despite the short length, the poetic yet hard-hitting language can make for a difficult read. An alternative by the same author is If Beale Street Could Talk.
Number of pages: 224
14. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
When I was younger adventure books were a great way to captivate my imagination and I still think that this is needed in adulthood. The story of Tom Sawyer allows you to reminisce all of your favourite childhood reads whilst hearing a new adventure.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a more well-known book by the author but is described to be a hard book to teach and read by many online sources. However, Tom Sawyer was written first and is notably said to be read first. Its language is easier to understand and the story follows the air of small-town, mischievious Tom who manages to get away with everything. Soon the consequences of his actions catch up with him when he becomes the witness to a murder.
Number of pages: 244
15. The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle — the first in the Sherlock series and with a writing style so encapturing you will be guaranteed to want to binge-read the rest!
Number of pages: 256
*The number of pages for each book depends on the edition but the number given is an average.
Now that you’ve added some Classics to your future reading list, here are 8 Exciting New Book Releases Coming This September!
