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Original poster

So - help me with a classic novel

67 replies

happystory · 20/11/2015 23:01

I vowed I'd read a classic novel this year and I've failed miserably. And now it's near the end of November. Please recommend something to me, American, English, I don't mind but not a massive tome you could use for a doorstop!

OP posts:
elephantoverthehill · 20/11/2015 23:40

Don't be envious happy story just read it. Although I have to warn you that the 'new' versions are somewhat changed. For example there is no pork pie on the linoeneum.

Original poster
happystory · 20/11/2015 23:31

I agree elephant I work in a school and saw a 9 year old avidly reading Malory Towers recently and was so envious

OP posts:
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 20/11/2015 23:27

Maya A didn't do a great deal for me tbh, but lots of people think, 'Caged Bird' is brilliant.

elephantoverthehill · 20/11/2015 23:26

But the big question now is what is a 'classic' novel? I would put all of the 'Famous Five', 'Secret Seven', 'Malory Towers' etc into that catagory as well as Malorie Blackman, Cathy Cassidy an Anthony Horrowitz. And a lot of others. I love being a Mum so I can have a reason to read these books.

Original poster
happystory · 20/11/2015 23:17

What about Maya Angelou has anyone read I know why the caged birds sing?

OP posts:
elephantoverthehill · 20/11/2015 23:17

What about 'Cider with Rosie'? it is a classic but quite short and not too un contempary

unicorn501 · 20/11/2015 23:15

Of Mice And Men? American, classic, fantastic book.

Or Anna Karenina? Madame Bovary? Rebecca? All amazing and easy to read.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 20/11/2015 23:14

Forster - 'Maurice' or 'Howard's End' - not, 'A Passage to India' because it's dreadful.

00100001 · 20/11/2015 23:14

Well if you want well written american classics

Go for
Of Mice and Men
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Grapes of wrath
The Color Purple

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 20/11/2015 23:13

Steinbeck - 'The Grapes of Wrath' is big and soul destroying / 'East of Eden' easier. His 'Travels with Charlie' is non-fiction and excellent - a v easy read.

Capote - 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' for fiction or 'In Cold Blood' for non-fiction.

Original poster
happystory · 20/11/2015 23:12

Thank you! I do love Jane Eyre but struggled with her other novels. What about Forster?

OP posts:
elephantoverthehill · 20/11/2015 23:10

Pride and Prejudice. You've seen the films. Now enjoy the written word and the language. Then read Bridget Jones.

Original poster
happystory · 20/11/2015 23:09

Well I do like American fiction on the whole and not really a fan of Jane Austen George Eliot etc - I feel I ought to get out of my comfort zone. One that sticks in my mind that I had to read for A level was Darkness at Noon, and George Orwell that I wouldn't have chosen to read but really stuck with me .

OP posts:
CocktailQueen · 20/11/2015 23:06

Jane Eyre. Classic, easy to read, not too long. And fab!

00100001 · 20/11/2015 23:06

Dickens, Austen, Bronte

All good

SanityClause · 20/11/2015 23:05

The Great Gatsby.

Short, classic, and full of pithy social commentary.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 20/11/2015 23:03

What kinds of things do you like? Help us to narrow it down a bit!

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