Accessible Classics

You may have noticed, based on my monthly wrap-ups, that I like to read classic literature. I already have a hard time finding other people in my personal life who read, but I've never met anyone in person who read classic lit as well (though it's not exactly easy to find online either). People I've heard mention wanting to get into classic lit have always expressed that they're a little intimidated by the genre and are afraid that whatever they decide to read will be beyond their level of understanding. So, if you're one of those people, I've put together a list of classic books that are easy to read and some tips for better understanding them, so maybe you'll feel more confident and encouraged to try some. I've also tried to include a variety of genre's so there should be something to fit everyone's reading tastes.

✿ TIPS ✿

1. Length. Starting with shorter works will, of course, be easier than starting with longer works. And by this, I mean something around 100-200 pages will look less intimidating and be quicker for you to get through than something like the very beefy War and Peace. Sometimes classics can drone on a bit so something shorter will keep your attention better.

2. Sparknotes. This is a fantastic website to use when you first get into classics. It has tons of information about classic literary works that can give you some background or insight into the significance of the work. It also has chapter or section summaries that can help you decipher what you've read as you're reading through a book if you need help understanding the content. Sparknotes also offers quizzes, so if you feel the need to quiz yourself to see how much of the story you've retained, it's a great tool to utilize.

3. Buddy-reads. If you know anyone who is also interested in reading classics, buddy-reads are a great idea. Not only will you have fun reading the work with a friend, but you'll also have someone to discuss it with and who can help you if you get stuck, and vice versa.

4. Adaptations. Either after you read the work, or before (if you don't mind the plot being spoiled) it's a good idea to watch an adaptation of the work. It will add to your general understanding of what you've read and it can be fun to see something you've read play out on a screen, especially when the adaptation is a unique reimagining of the work. (*Ahem* 1996 Romeo & Juliet)

5. Modern Classics. Probably my biggest tip would be to start with more recent classics (or modern classics) and work your way back from there. Some easier-to-read modern classics I'd recommend are...


Recommendations: 

The Outsiders by S.E Hinton

There is a reason this is taught so much in schools and that's because it's great. It's also only about 200 pages, so it's a quick read too. It was published in 1967 and I find the language used to be very easy to read. There's a *bit* of slang used in it, but it's nothing too hard to pick up on. The book is mostly known for its unique set of characters and for the fact that it's regularly challenged by school districts and parents for being inappropriate. Some reasons for banning it include; gang violence, dysfunctional family depiction, underage drinking/smoking, and strong language (cursing).

A Separate Peace by John Knowles

This is probably one of my top 5 favorite modern classics. It's another 200-ish page book, so again, pretty quick. This is a beautiful story about two boys at an all boy academy and their loss of innocence during the early years of World War II. This is a book I was made to read in High School and one that I didn't think much of at the time, but for whatever reason, it stuck with me. Years later I had parts of the story stuck in my head, but couldn't remember the title, so I tried as many search terms as I could until I finally found it. When I read it that second time, I absolutely loved it.

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

This is written with a lot of southern slang so it does take some effort to read through all of that, but the story is so heartbreaking (in the best way) that it's 100% worth reading anyway. I've read this book twice now, and the first time it was so good I ugly cried twice, which is really saying something considering this book is only about 100 pages. This book explores racial prejudices (briefly), the 'American Dream', and though it doesn't discuss mental health issues necessarily, it's set up a wonderful opportunity for discussion on the subject.

Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo

Moving into the slightly longer modern classics, this one is a little under 250 pages. This is about a man who was wounded in war and he finds himself in an infirmary, but his bodies mutilated and he's unconscious. This is known primarily for being a strong piece of anti-war literature. There is a lot of anger from the main character directed towards war, or rather the people who do not fight in wars but decide when war is necessary. The novel overall does a great job at provoking thoughtfulness in its reader and for that, I think it's a great modern classic to start you in the right direction of reading classic lit.

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov 

This is one that a lot of people are, understandably, hesitant to read. When I read this, I found myself torn between being disgusted at Humbert's actions and almost sympathetic to him. It's very strange to read from the perspective of the pedophile, but it makes this another really thought-provoking book. I also enjoyed that this novel doesn't have the typical happy ending where the main character grows over time and decides to change their ways, making everything suddenly okay. Humbert was, is, and will continue being a terrible person, the novel only recounts his descent into further degradation and is never intended to show him as a decent human being.

✿ And from here we can move further back in time to some classics...

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

I think this was the first classic I ever read, and I loved it so much that I decided to try other classics, so I guess my love for the genre is all thanks to this. This is often described as the great American novel, I don't know how much I agree with that, I definitely don't think this book will change your life or anything. I love this book for what it is, a great story. The characters and plot are what make this worth reading and I guarantee if you talk to other readers, this will eventually come up in conversation. So, for those reasons, this is a great intro to classics. 

Any collection of short stories by H.P Lovecraft 

First things first, I'm discussing the works of H.P Lovecraft, not the writer himself. It's important to recognize the difference between authors and their works, maybe I'll make a separate post about that in the future. That being said, his short stories are great examples of classic horror and weird fiction. There are tons to choose from as well, and though they aren't for everyone, it can't hurt to try some out and see if it's your thing.

The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

This is a very strange story about a man who turns into an insect and how he and his family react to that. I think Kafka's point was to show how being useless to your family and society affects their desire to have you around, though that might just be my interpretation. Even without some deeper meaning though, it's still interesting to see how the main character adjusts to his new body and the struggles he faces in doing so. An added bonus, the story's about 100 pages long.

Peter Pan by J.M Barrie 

Most people are familiar with the story of Peter Pan. If you're not though, it's a beloved children's classic about a boy who never grows old. This book has quite a few sexist and racist moments, you could choose not to read it because of that, but be warned, classics are called classic for a reason and older works tend to reflect societal beliefs of that time. If you can see past those aspects, this is still a fun, whimsical read.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

In case you weren't aware that the movie was based on a children's series, it was. I've read the first two in the original series, and though they are quite a bit different from the movie, they're very easy, fun reads. 

Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekhov

This is a very short play (less than 100 pages) by a classic Russian author. I haven't read many plays, it's not a genre I typically gravitate towards, but I really enjoyed this one. I get that the point of plays is to be theatrical and dramatic, but parts of this are *so* dramatic, and I loved every bit of it.  

The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman 

The Yellow Wallpaper is a wonderful example of a feminist classic. This short story is less than 100 pages and in that manages to explore post-partum depression in such a way that it makes you examine what you think you know about the mental illness. It also tackles how mental illnesses like post-partum were perceived at the time that this was written, which I think can still be seen in our society today.

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

This is one of my absolute favorites. It's another story where the main character is basically an awful person, but with this, you see that change step by step. After posing for a painting, Dorian is so envious of the perfection of the painting and the fact that while he ages, the painting will not, that he wishes his aging on the painting so that he will remain exactly as he is. As he morally declines, his poor decisions are reflected in the painting, and the story is basically just seeing how comfortable he becomes with these new behaviors knowing that they won't be taking a toll on him personally.    

Family Happiness by Leo Tolstoy 

Tolstoy is a well known Russian novelist, and while some of his other works are more commonly known, I think Family Happiness is a good place to start. Most of Tolstoy's popular novels are more than 500 pages long, so this short story being less than 50 pages is perfect for beginners. 

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne 

This is another work often taught in schools. It's easy to read and gives quite a bit of insight on Puritanical society and beliefs. But it does this while also delivering an interesting, yet tragic story with fully developed characters.

Three Theban Plays by Sophocles

This is an example of classical literature, not classic literature. The difference being that classics are works written and published more than 70-ish years ago (IMO, everyone has a different definition of what's considered a 'classic'), while classical works are ancient Greek and Roman works. These plays were published between 450 BCE and 441 BCE, but I don't want that to intimidate you. I've read very few classic works and with this particular translation ➡,
I had no issues reading it. I actually found it to be easier than reading Shakespeare. They're also very interesting and full of dramatic twists and turns.

✿ And now I want to talk about someone who is often talked about when talking about classics but can almost seem like their own genre entirely, William Shakespeare. I know how intimidating he can seem to anyone who hasn't read his work, but I promise it is not impossible. 

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

I think this would be a good play to get you started into Shakespeare because it's one so many people are already familiar with. Knowing the plot and characters before you even read the work can aid your comprehension while you read and allows you to focus on vocabulary or settings you're unfamiliar with. It's also commonly taught in schools, so there's a chance you've read all or parts of it, and reading it again for yourself might give you more of an appreciation for Shakespearian works.

 A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare

While Romeo and Juliet is probably Shakespeare's most known and most read work, it's not actually my favorite. A Midsummer Night's Dream is so much more fun and interesting in my opinion. You follow four different sets of characters, one set of those being faeries, which were some of my favorite parts. The entire play is one big trick played by the faerie, Puck, on four young lovers and all the characters' stories are woven together so well.  

✿ So there are some recommendations. Whether you're new to classic literature or you already read it but wanted some recs or to know a few of my favorites, I hope this helped. Comment below if you have any recommendations or favorites that you think are also useful for starting out.