4 Great Classic Books

[ResonantAleph]

I've read and enjoyed both "Nineteen Eighty-Four" and "Fahrenheit 451" (I'm quite a fan of dystopia). I've read "Of Mice and Men" but only after "East of Eden" which, to put it bluntly, left it in the dust. Salinger's been in my library for quite some time but I've never taken the time to start it (Isn't that really the most time consuming part?). I'll be sure to look into it.

[Sheila]

East of Eden is my favorite Steinbeck book, everyone seems to forget next Of Mice and Men and Grapes of Wrath, but in my opinion it was best work

[avidreader40]

All great reads and all books HS students are forced to read As for Catcher in the Rye I didn't really appreciate how amazing it is until years later.

[Ribaldo]

All four books were among my "required reading" list in my early High School days; as were other such notable titles Brave New World, Animal Farm, The Chocolate War, We, and Lord of the Flies.

Way to go to the teacher who got that to be required reading. It's the 1984/Brave New World before either existed.

[Stunt Penguin]

If you like George Orwell, Animal Farm is a must-read.

[jebraun]

I recently re-read both Catcher in the Rye and 1984. Unfortunately, for me, Catcher didn't hold up in a second read through (with at least a decade gap between reading) - I don't know, it just fell flat. 1984, on the other hand, was better the second time through. I would put Slaughterhouse 5 by Kurt Vonnegut up here, Atlas Shrugged by Rand, and at least one Faulkner novel - for me it could be any one (The Sound and the Fury gets overdone - but Intruder in the Dust, As I Lay Dying and countless others are excellent).

[CassieXO]

East of Eden is my favorite Steinbeck book, everyone seems to forget next Of Mice and Men and Grapes of Wrath, but in my opinion it was best work

I totally agree. I have never read Grapes of Wrath though, and I didn't care for Of Mice and Men really...

[cherry]

I agree that these are four great books although I have not read Farenheit 451. But I heard great reviews about ir. I'll try to get this the next time.
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MYWEBCAMSHOOKUP

[GWA]

Salinger is a genius but his best novel is ‘Franny and Zooey’, Orwell is brilliant as well, but for me ‘Down and out in Paris’ is his best work, Bradbury speaks for himself (and his short stories are incredible; anyone remember the one about the old man and his lawn being cut?), and for some strange reason Steinbeck has never made my list, so off to the library to meet him it is!

GWA.


PS: Vonnegut should definitely be included in the list of greats, but his book should be 'Breakfast of champions'!

[bestcorp]

All of these books were read in my highschool days and I must say, they were incredibly enjoyable, every single one of them. Great list and definitely a must read for those seeking some great books.

[jv08]

I may say that these are four great books. Should definitely a must read.

[Gen]

Ugh, I found The Catcher in the Rye to be highly overrated. I didn't even enjoy it when I read it back in high school, when you're supposed to identify with it the most, or so it seems. As stated above, it's all up to the person reading the novel. Still, I do agree with the rest of the list and I thank my AP English teachers for assigning those books.

[Kevin]

Hello.

The only book of the four originally listed I've read is 1984 - love it. I have Fahrenheit 451 and while I don't have Of Mice and Men I do have The Grapes of Wrath (placed #17 and #34 respectively on my To Read bookshelf.

Whenever I remember to jot down "Salinger" prior to heading out for a new haul of books I'll be sure to get Catcher.

Here is one that I would include on my list: The Jungle by Upton Sinclair. Is this book to be placed on the short list for the title of Most Important American Book? I don't consider it as such in terms of having inspired other books, or writers, or for its telling a compelling story, but instead for the non-literary ramifications of the book.

Regardless, I found it a heckuva story.

[tarnish]

not a fan of 1984 too weird

[iselin]

mice and men are one the best books on the planet. Thank you so much for sharing:)