Had anyone come to a classic late in life ?

80 replies

almondflake · 26/02/2025 15:05

Has anyone come to a classic late in life and been blown away by it ?
I've reached the age of 60 and have never read or seen To Kill a Mockingbird i didn't even know the story . I've been blown away by the story and the writing , i absolutely loved Atticus and Scout , i found Atticus to be such a kind and wise man , a staunch believer in right and wrong ready to pass all he knows onto Scout and Jim .
If you've never read it I heartily recommend reading or listening to it .
I've already downloaded Go Set a Watchman onto kindle to see how Scout grows up .
Please send any recommendations for classics I may love too .

OP posts:

user4434 · 28/02/2025 22:46

Oooh this is a great thread!
I didn’t study English post GCSE. I was very much a STEM subjects girl, and the thought of reading any more poetry or Shakespeare filled me with horror.

After years in the literary wilderness of parenting small people and reading the sodding Gruffalo more times than I care to remember, I promised myself last year that I’d finally get round to reading the classics in my late 30s.

I’ve enjoyed Anna Karenina, The Grapes Of Wrath, Jane Eyre, The Great Gatsby and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall in the last couple of years.
I couldn’t get on with Pride and Prejudice so gave up half way through. Also read Brave New World - knew it was never going to be cheerful but bloody hell, that is one horrible book!

HamSpray · 28/02/2025 22:58

Barbadossunset · 28/02/2025 18:56

@Scout2016 i would start with The Death of the Heart. It’s such a good book, and contains, in my opinion, the saddest character in 20th century literature, Major Brutt.
The Last September set in Ireland during the War of Independence is also excellent as is The Heat of the Day set in WW II.
Her short stories are also very good - if you enjoy ghost stories try The Demon Lover and The Cat Jumps.

I think The House in Paris is my favourite, followed by The Last September and the Blitz stories, but I agree about poor Major Brutt. Bowen was a frightening genius.

Barbadossunset · 01/03/2025 06:24

I think The House in Paris is my favourite

How could I have forgotten The House in Paris - what a brilliant book.
I’d have loved an epilogue that told us what happened to poor Leopold.

Slimbear · 03/03/2025 06:35

apotdw · 28/02/2025 19:09

MNetters would gasp, but my living doesn't have book shelves. Kids rooms' have them, I have some old uni books in another room, but as I've mostly listened to audio books for the last decade I don't have bookshelves with books.

So, the point, we are getting some shelves and cupboard put in our living room this year, and I am going to buy lots of pretty bound classic books so I look intelligent and the room looks good to be a good influence to the kids, but also, I fully intend to read them too! I've only ever read classics that the curriculum demanded, I have no idea where to start and I hope I enjoy them!

I work in a charity book shop. We get so many bound classics - I think in years gone by people signed up for eg one a week. As these people pass on their books come to us - often immaculate/ unread. Ask a shop to put some aside for you - the arrival of types of books is erratic but over a few months I'd think you'd get quite a few.

Gundogday · 06/03/2025 21:10

I hadn’t read any classics since school but due to my bookclub, have read a few now. Surprised myself by liking Frankenstein, but Wuthering Heights just didn’t get. Expected a great love romance but it was nothing of the sort!

Also just read my first Georgette Heyer, and Jane Austin. Yet to read Rebecca by Daphne du M.

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