Reading is a lifelong habit that can do wonders for the brain. Many young people nowadays enjoy reading non-fiction texts about science, politics and art. However, did you know that reading classical literature novels can offer different insights into the world? From Jane Austen to Charles Dickens, the list is endless. Fictional texts can tell us a lot about the writers’ context, backgrounds and era they lived in. Here are my top 3 books that you should check out.
No classical literature list would be complete without a mention of Jane Austen, one of the greatest writers of all time. Pride and Prejudice represents her finest work and contains one of the most beloved love stories in English literature: the romance between Darcy and Elizabeth. The love story focuses on the conflicts caused between their different social classes and own personal qualities, and reveals deeper themes about the difficulty of escaping the devastating effects of a hierarchical society.
This exciting dystopian novel was written much ahead of its time. The story anticipates disruptive reproductive technologies, sleep-learning, machine-learning and classical conditioning, and is set in a futuristic society which can only be challenged by one person- the protagonist. Given the growth of technology in the last two decades, this classic novel is a must-read.
The novel follows the story of Jay Gatsby, a charming and enigmatic millionaire who throws lavish parties but does not attend a single one. Jay Gatsby’s character is arguably one of the greatest characters of American classical literature. The novel’s main themes are wealth, lost love and the emptiness of the American Dream. The novel has been made into several Hollywood films and deserves to be on everyone’s reading list.
Reading classical literature texts can be a rewarding and enriching experience. It is a great way to learn about the authors of the time and escape from our own current, fast-paced world.