Based on a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish.
There are so many classics I have left to read. Here are the favorites so far that I've tried, although it's not reading the ten mark yet. I read classics when I was younger that were epic, but I'm leaving them off as they need a re-read and I don't remember most of the details.Top Ten Favorite Classics
Sure, Gone with the Wind isn't the oldest book around, but wow is it impressive. I finally read this at the beginning of 2004 and was blown away by how incredible it was.
"Margaret Mitchell did a unique thing by taking an unlikeable woman and making it her story. It’s sort of a destructive, moral lesson tale that you can’t look away from, a literary train wreck impossible to ignore."
Flowers for Algernon is more than a book - it's a work of art. Not sure if it's technically a "classic" or not (depends on the list), but if it is, it's a top favorite here - easy.
"From beginning to end it was both tragic and sobering. The book shows how literature can be a work of art. The ending closes the book, but the memory of the book shall not fade."
The Invisible was not perfect, but it was enjoyable.
"The theme and beginning are well imagined. The ending was tragic and excellent. Dialogue – I loved it when the Invisible man conversed with others, his intelligence shows through with his madness. I do think HG Wells could have done more with the story material, especially during the middle, which lagged a bit at times. "
Of Mice and Men seems rather controversial from the reviews I've read. I'm in the camp that loved it for it's complexity with it's simplistic approach.
"This emotionally stunning book has become a classic for good reason. Steinbeck employs a direct, everyday language, keeping the point at all times, using only scenes which enhance the main moral (or immoral depending how you see it) messages, and while this tale is not fiercely fast-paced, it is always riveting, always important."
The Catcher in the Rye isn't absolutely perfect, but it's amazing once it's done and never left me.
"It's strange, but I agree with the tagline of this novel for once. Usually it's just there for dramatic effect. "You'll never forget this story, this story will haunt you for life....,etc", but this one actually has proven true. I read this months ago and now that I'm adding the reviews to the blog from Goodreads and my mental reservoir, I have to say that this book truly has never left me. I think of it at least once every two weeks. I have no idea why really, but I think there's such a total genuineness about it that it really gets inside you."
Dracula suffers from some dialogue issues in the mid, but the beginning half is fantasically dark and twisted. One of the only chills I've gotten from reading is when the vampire is looking up while climbing up that well. The ending is also epic.
"Overall an excellent book any classic fan should read. The Victorian dialogue can grow a bit stale and some of the middle is too stagnant, but the beginning and the end and the build-up journey are fantastic, memorable, and powerfully impressive."
Rebecca is perfection with its gothic atmosphere.
"Overall the writing is stunning. DeMaurier has a special knack of poetically weaving together dreamy-like sequences. It's easy to relate to the cloud-climbing protagonist simply because your own head finds its easier to seek this mindset after enough flowing of the author's words. It's a unique style that stands out and takes the breath away some."
Animal Farm is short but not sweet - excellent story, excellent commentary, excellent classic.
"I recommend this short novel to everyone. The message is amazingly potent, the characters fascinating, it's power isn't in preachy writing but effective literary prowess, and it's a classic that will stand the test of time."
