Best and Easy Classics To Read For Beginners
A casual reader's list typically does not include classic literature. Classics frequently conjure images of dusty books, intimidating literature, or little ornaments in some makeshift library. The classics continue to be an underutilized resource for growth, education, and a good book for many people despite being largely squandered on high schoolers who need real-world experience and in prolonged adolescence through college. Many of these books feature comments you wouldn't expect to find in works written decades, centuries, or even millennia ago but are pretty funny and thought-provoking. Are you searching for the top beginners' classics? Too much outstanding classic literature is available, but knowing where to begin may be challenging if you must familiarize yourself with the classics. This list fills that need!
To explore the rich world of classic novels, check out these simple classic books for beginners if you're intimidated by classics and need help figuring out where to start.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Great Gatsby must be among the best classic books for beginners! This book is among the greatest masterpieces ever written and is unquestionably among the best. With the tale of the mysteriously affluent Jay Gatsby and his love for Daisy Buchanan, this book vividly recreates the Jazz Era. It's an engaging read that has won over the hearts and minds of many readers, but what makes it incredibly wonderful for new readers is that it's very brief, making it less intimidating than other "great" classics. Also, it has an engaging plot in a fun setting, so this is the best pick if you are looking for an exciting yet concise book to start with classics.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
You won't want to miss the classic Pride and Prejudice! It's one of the most important historical romance books ever written and will keep you entertained. The Bennet family and their five unmarried daughters, all of whom Mrs. Bennet does her best to marry off, are the focus of this novel. This is an approachable and enjoyable classic tale for new readers, packed with romance, excitement, controversy, and many entertaining regency social situations. There are also many film adaptations out there that you may or may not have already seen, which can help you follow the plot if you've already seen one or inspire you to finish reading so you can see one when you're done!
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Harper Lee, regarded as one of the most influential writers ever, is known for having only ever released one book (up until its controversial sequel was published in 2015, just before her death). When Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird was released in 1960, it instantly became a literary classic. The book explores racism in the American South through the eyes of Jean Louise ("Scout") Finch, a bright little girl. At a period when there were significant racial tensions in the United States, its well-known characters, most notably the empathetic and just lawyer and parent Atticus Finch, served as role models and altered perceptions. If you are looking for the best classics, this is undoubtedly the best novel of the twentieth century to add.
One Hundred Years Of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
The most well-known novel by the late Colombian author Gabriel Garcia Márquez, One Hundred Years of Solitude, was released in 1967. The Buenda family's seven generations are covered in the book, along with the founding of their town of Macondo and its eventual demise along with the final member of the family. The novel explores magic realism in fantasy form by highlighting the exceptional nature of everyday objects while mystical objects are revealed to be widespread. The importance and influence of myth and folktale in connecting history and Latin American culture are highlighted by Márquez. One Hundred Years of Solitude is frequently hailed as Márquez's most illustrious work. The novel gained him many accolades, paving the path for his eventual honor of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1982 for his complete body of work.
A Passage To India by EM Forster
A Passage to India resulted from E.M. Forster's several visits to India throughout his early years. The 1924 book centers on a Muslim Indian doctor named Aziz and his interactions with Cyril Fielding, an English professor, and Adela Quested, a visiting English teacher. Tensions between the Indian and colonial British communities increase when Adela thinks Aziz has raped her while visiting the Marabar caves close to the fictional city of Chandrapore, where the story is set. Despite their cultural disparities and colonial tensions, the conflict explores the possibility of friendship and connection between English and Indian people. The novel's vivid depictions of nature and the Indian terrain and the text's use of these images to convey meaning establish it as a remarkable work of fiction and, yet again, a must-read classic to consider.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Little Women is the next book on the list of simple classics. The storyline of this book, which is full of excitement and adventures and is simple to read, is part of what makes it so great for those new to the classics. The novel's main characters are the March sisters (Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy), who are left at home and in charge of running the family after their father leaves for the war. We follow them through their lives as they mature from childhood into maturity, discovering more about who they are and their love for one another as they look for their positions in the world. Also, there are several fantastic film adaptations, so those can serve as incentives or rewards for finishing this masterpiece. You might even discover that you enjoy the book just as much (or perhaps more) if you enjoyed the movies!
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Animal Farm can be a great option to read a short classic. This novella is a quick read and satirical story about overworked and abused animals that take over their home farm. These animals went out to construct the fair and just world they desired with a strong sense of idealism. What possibly could go wrong? So read for yourself and learn! This is one of those classics everyone can read, regardless of previous experience with classic literature. If you enjoy it, you might move on to reading Orwell's best-known novel, 1984.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë'
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, another book frequently prescribed for reading in schools, was first published in 1847 under the pen name Currer Bell to conceal the author's gender. Fortunately, a lot has happened since 1847 regarding the representation of women in literature, and Bront is being given the recognition she deserves for one of the most revolutionary novels about women in history. At a time when the author was forced to conceal her true identity, Jane Eyre offered a tale of female individuality. The title character in the book transforms from an orphan and an impoverished person to a prosperous and self-sufficient woman. The novel revolutionizes the art of the story by focusing on the development of Jane's sensibility through internalized action and writing, combining elements from Gothic and Victorian literature.
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
Murder on the Orient Express, a suspenseful murder mystery, is one of Christie's most well-known works and one of the best-selling murder mysteries ever. This one is also straightforward to follow. It occurs on the renowned Orient Express when a snowdrift immobilizes the train one evening shortly after midnight. Millionaire Samuel Edward Ratchett is found dead in his compartment the following day. His interior door is secured. They are isolated in a storm. Thus someone on the train must have committed the crime. Can Hercule Poirot, a detective, solve the case before the murderer commits another crime? Another timeless novel that has been adapted for the big screen. You already know the story if you've seen the movie; you can use it as a reward to watch it, though, if you haven't seen it once you've finished reading!
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
With several films, books, stage, and other adaptations, this is another classic that has won the hearts of many. Alice notices a white rabbit pulling a watch out of its waistcoat pocket and decides to follow it to see what happens in this humorous and bizarre journey. The world quickly turns upside down, and she finds herself navigating the Wonderland of mysterious and beautiful characters! Although the book is relatively short and can be finished in a few hours, some languages can be challenging to follow because it is so whimsical and retro in parts. But it is still really worthwhile to read!
These are just a few among the plethora of classics that a beginner could read. We hope you can find one of your choices on the list and hop on your reading journey with that one. Happy Reading!