Classics recommendation

[lemonbiscuit]

I'm thinking of reading one of the classics on holiday for a change. What would you recommend? ideally nothing too depressing. I've read Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights plus all of the Thomas Hardy novels (a long time ago!) Suggestions welcomed please.

[superbagpuss]

I'm reading sherlock Holmes while thinking about Benedict cumberbatch. they are very good stories and quite short so they keep moving

[notnowImreading]

I love The Moonstone and The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. They are very dramatic and fast moving with great characters.

[highlandcoo]

Pride and Prejudice is still hard to beat IMO.

I also really enjoyed The Painted Veil by Somerset Maugham recently, and The Old Wives' Tale by Arnold Bennett was a book I loved years ago.

[EleanorFarjeon]

Madame Bovary is fab and very readable.

Or Sons and Lovers? One of my favourites that I have read again and again.

[notnowImreading]

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell is excellent too. Especially if you have Richard Armitage in your head as Mr Thornton.

[Somethingyesterday]

Assuming you mean something deep and dark and Victorian-y, I would recommend "Lorna Doone" by R. D. Blackmore. More plot driven and adventuresome than those you've mentioned. And really fabulous.

I'm never really sure where the classics canon ends. John Buchan or P.G. Wodehouse would be my idea of holiday reading.

[Francagoestohollywood]

Nothing beats Victor Hugo Les Miserables.

[Francagoestohollywood]

I second Somerset Maugham, especially his short stories.

[greenhill]

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier is nearly old enough to be a classic.

[Salbertina]

Second Pride & Prejudice plus Wilkie Collins. But my favourite is Vanity Fair- a stomping read and v pertinent to 21st century life as well as a gripping story!

[helebear]

I really enjoyed reading Rebecca a few years ago on holiday, I couldn't put it down.

[helebear]

X post with greenhill. As I was writing I wondered if Rebecca is considered a classic or not.

[Numberlock]

And My Cousin Rachel is even better...

Keep The Aspidistra Flying
Clockwork Orange
Jude The Obscure
Master and Margerita

[Takver]

For a light holiday read, I'd suggest Cranford by Mrs Gaskell (though agree North & South is also excellent).

Alternatively, if you liked Jane Eyre, what about Shirley?

[mignonette]

Sons And Lovers by D H Lawrence

Anything by Katharine Mansfield

Arial by Sylvia Plath

On The Road by Jack Kerouac

The Grapes of Wrath/ Cannery Row/ Travels With Charley/ The Pearl/ Tortilla Flat all by John Steinbeck

Anything by Flannery O'Connor or by Willa Cather

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

[maillotjaune]

I loved Persuasion (although Pride & Prejudice is a great read too). Also second (or third!) North & South but top of the list would be Vanity Fair which I think I will be re-reading on holiday this year.

[lemonbiscuit]

Thanks for your suggestions. Lots to chose from! I forgot to say I read Rebecca last year and really enjoyed it. i also read Remarkable Creatures by Tracey Chervallier which I thought was fab too.

[pointydog]

Try some Emile Zola. Racy, earthy, drama, sorrows, lust.

[Francagoestohollywood]

Pointydog!!! I agree about Zola.
I also second divine Kathrine Mansfield.

But really, upyou can't get better than Les Miserables!

[terribleteethinitsterriblejaws]

Jane eyre and rebecca are favourites of mine, I have just finished a town like alice and thoroughly enjoyed it.

[pointydog]

Hi Franca! Plus ca change, eh?

[Francagoestohollywood]

[Doilooklikeatourist]

Little Women
Sense and sensibility

[Doilooklikeatourist]

Just been reminded ( thanks terribleteeth ) of Neville Shute
Loved A Town Like Alice , and can also reccomend On The Beach

[Judyandherdreamofhorses]

The Count of Monte Cristo