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 ;)

[RoxyRobin]

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!

[hk78]

It has to be To Kill a Mockingbird.

[NotGeoffVader]

Cranford - Elizabeth Gaskell

[evilgiraffe]

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

[andrewcowley23]

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.

[MaryZed]

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.

[GreeenFingers]

Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

[lunchbox]

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

[Yama]

Lots of great suggestions here.

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

[ShatnersBassoon]

The Grapes of Wrath. It's great.

[Startailoforangeandgold]

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

It is a truly vile book.

[AnonymousBird]

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.

[evilgiraffe]

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.

[GreeenFingers]

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

[GreySquirrel]

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

[mum47]

Billy Liar by Keith Waterhouse is genius.

[berri]

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.

[nkf]

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

[Handsfulloffun]

Another vote for Rebecca and Jane Eyre.

Yes lots of freebies for your kindle

[Francagoestohollywood]

Victor Hugo Les Miserables is unputdownable.

[SandStorm]

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.

[Inneedofbrandy]

YY to Rebecca and Woman in white.

[Bilbobagginstummy]

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

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

[parques]

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