Literature for Modern Reading Enthusiasts
When you find an exquisitely crafted novel, it’s like finding a new friend. You want to spend hours with them. They excite you. Perhaps you spill a little coffee on them (but they don’t seem to mind.)
There are so many treasured books we could devour, though sometimes I find myself beginning one, only to see it soon collecting dust on the shelf. This is when I turn to the classics, like The Great Gatsby, Animal Farm, Pride and Prejudice and A Handmaid’s Tale.
These novels are majestic because, in one way or another, they are all still highly relevant. I’ve heard it said that history need not be part of the educational curriculum, as we should focus solely on the future. What a reprehensible idea! How can society progress if we do not learn from the past? Some of this literature may have been created as fiction, though in our present day we can still draw connections to our society, while appreciating the authors’ timeless talents.
The Great Gatsby (1925)
While The Great Gatsby is surely not an unfamiliar title, it is celebrated for good reason. Firstly; glitter, romance and infidelity. Need I say more? The novel is set in 1922 after the Great War, when parties were lavish and wild and the nights were filled with a lightness of foot and the heavy flow of drinks. F. Scott Fitzgerald is my favourite writer, due to his captivating prose and vivid characterisation. Jay Gatsby centralises the story as the enigmatic millionaire (actually, in 2010 Gatsby held 14th place in Forbes Magazine as one of the richest fictional characters, worth $1 billion.) However even Gatsby’s name is shrouded in mystery. He is desperately in love with Daisy. Perpetually disappointing Daisy. She is married to Tom, and we all know someone like Tom. Narcisistic, compulsive, bigoted- Tom makes for a marvellous villain (or so it may seem!) Enter Nick Carraway; Daisy’s cousin. If Tom is the disease, Nick is the cure. Nick is humble, perceptive and principled, and narrates the story with intrigue and hope… until the end, that is. The Great Gasby is a love story, but it is also an adventure back in time, filled with haunting reminders of how fundamentally flawed some ideals- and people-can be.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (1813)
I know your secret. When you think of Pride and Prejudice, you immediately feel a rush of excitement picturing Colin Firth in a wet t-shirt. I’m right there with you. But this time we’re actually referring to the book! No, not the mini-series (1995) or the movie (2005.) This whimsical tale has been brought to the screen more than once, but Jane Austen’s masterpiece can be appreciated in all forms. Elizabeth Bennet is the heroine of the story, and despite what the patriarchal period may suggest, Lizzy doesn’t need anyone to ‘save’ her. She has a strong sense of pride, delightfully sharp wit, and she toes the line between playful and intransigent. This novel reminds us of a time we have done well to outgrow, and a love story we never will.
Animal Farm by George Orwell (1945)
I can’t lie to you… when I first read this book, I disliked it immensely. I could go into great detail explaining why this is, but it would spoil too much for those who have yet to read it. So I’ll simply say this: reading Animal Farm as a young woman, I was repulsed. Reading Animal farm as a (slightly more) mature woman, I was engrossed. The story is a metaphor for the Soviet Union and, appropriately, Orwell conjures a strong sense of fear throughout. Written from the perspective of animals, the deliberately simplistic language ensures that the ever-so-important message does not elude his audience. At any time (though I would say, particularly now,) this novel serves as a reminder of the power of the individual. For, as Lord Acton said: absolute power corrupts absolutely.
A Handmaid’s Tale by Maragret Atwood (1985)
Although A Handmaid’s Tale is a more recent novel, this book deserves a special mention. Margret Atwood is one of the truly great writers. A visionary, she creates not words, but worlds. In this world, we are thrown into dystopia, following the harrowing ordeal of Offred, who is conditioned to serve as a handmaid and bear children for the state. Without any sense of identity or control, her life becomes a series of injustices, as we read on in a state of awe and suspense. This book gave me chills, and served as a catalyst to consider feminine oppression (in its many forms) worldwide.
