If you had to recommend just one 'classic'

[berri]

What would it be?

Going on holiday soon and I want to try something different - it'll be my last chance to get stuck into a book before the arrival of DC2 and I'm aware I haven't read any of the classics....what would you recommend if you had to choose one? Or maybe two, wishful thinking that I'll have time ;)

Barchester Towers. I never fancied Trollope when I was younger but now realise what I've been missing all these years. Mrs Proudie is my role-model!

It has to be To Kill a Mockingbird.

Cranford - Elizabeth Gaskell

baskingseals - that is my plan! I've not read Anna Karenina, but it's been on my list for a long time.

Les Miserables for certain. I read this in the Summer. Felt I owed it to Victor Hugo after my year 6 performed a truncated version of the musical as their leavers assembly. For a 150 year old book it is remarkably fresh, funny, and full of social commentary, with many more narrative twists than the musical has. Much darker in many ways too. I wonder if the film will generate more sales.

I'm marking my place here and making a list. I'm also interested in how old a book has to be before it is a classic? I love A Town Like Alice and have read a fair few other Neville Shute, which I love. I've also read people like Anya Seton, and enjoyed them.

Whereas many of my "school" classics (Dickens, Three Men in a Boat, Waiting for Fecking Godot, To Kill a Mockingbird) have left me very cold.

Are these all free on Kindle? I have just acquired a Kindle, so will be attempting this as soon as I acquire the corresponding cable and charger.

Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

To kill a mockingbird
Catcher in the rye
The secret history ( not sure if this is considered a classic, but it should be )

Lots of great suggestions here.

I would recommend Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

The Grapes of Wrath. It's great.

Lord of the Flies to Light your fire with, or use as toilet paper.

It is a truly vile book.

Anna Karenina is sublime.

I may re-read anyway, as there is NO WAY I am going to see the film. A veritable piece of wood playing Anna simply makes me want to weep. Muchly.

Startail, no! Lord of the Flies is vile how?! It's an ominous commentary on civilisation, and how easily it breaks down. If it's vile, it's only in how terrifyingly accurate it is. I can understand if you're a bit squeamish, but that doesn't make it vile.

Not a Classic yet but what about " Chocolat" by Joanne Harris

Jude the Obscure, Our Mutual Friend, Little Dorrit, Woman in White, Adam Bede, Middlemarch or Emma defintely some of my favourites, also Mill on the Floss

Billy Liar by Keith Waterhouse is genius.

lunchbox I loved A Secret History

I read To Kill A Mockingbird at school which kind of puts me off, but maybe I could revisit it.

Not sure I'd call A Secret History a classic. Some excellent books in this list.

Another vote for Rebecca and Jane Eyre.

Yes lots of freebies for your kindle

Victor Hugo Les Miserables is unputdownable.

Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe.

It's a wonderful book but be warned - it's also the saddest book I have ever read. If you do read it, make sure you read the end somewhere private.

YY to Rebecca and Woman in white.

Alice in Wonderland and the sequel, Through the Looking Glass.

So imaginative & delightful - it would be a shame to never read these.

Far From the Madding Crowd and also Dracula..... very different, I know, but both excellent.