Recommendations of Classic Books
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- CCoop1983
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Re: Recommendations of Classic Books
- _ayshaaaa_
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That's all the encouragement I need! I recently read Emma and still can't get over Austen's writing.CCoop1983 wrote: ↑13 Jun 2018, 01:12 One my all time favorite classic books is 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen. Elizabeth Bennet is by far one of the most beautifully written characters of all time. Mr. Darcy is so very layered and flawed in a way that makes him stick with you well after you have finished reading. The plot is very simple yet so masterfully done. Only Austen can make a story of five daughters seeking marriage a timeless work of art. It's hard to imagine that anyone who is a reader has not already read it. But, if you haven't, please be kind to yourself and get lost in this absolutely captivating love story.
I currently own Persuasion, so still looking forward to owning a copy of Pride and Prejudice.
- geekprincess26
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My 20th-century favorite is C.S. Lewis's Till We Have Faces, a symphony of mythology and philosophy blended into a heartrending retelling of the Greek myth of Cupid and Psyche. The tale is narrated (with surprising sensitivity for a male author, I might add) by Orual, queen of Glome and Psyche's eldest sister, who is part villain of the tale, part reluctant witness, and yet a thoroughly sympathetic figure to any reader who was neglected by his or her parents in childhood in favor of his or her prettier, more accomplished sibling. Orual's father spends most of her childhood alternately abusing her, ignoring her, and wishing she had been born a boy. Despite the preference of nearly everyone around them for Psyche, Orual loves her little sister and nearly goes mad with pain and rage when their father, the king, sends Psyche off to be sacrificed to the gods to end a famine. However, when Orual goes to the altar outside the city to collect her sister's bones, she finds Psyche alive, well, and claiming to be the bride of one of the gods. Orual, thinking her sister insane, refuses to believe her until Psyche can prove her "husband" exists. That proof takes the form of the one act that can break the truce between Psyche and the gods, who banish her to wander in the wilderness until she can accomplish the impossible feats (think Herculean labors) that will reconcile her with her husband. Orual returns to Glome, broken and doomed to a life without her sister. She spends the rest of her life trying to absolve herself of guilt and raging against the gods for her fate. As a symbol of her guilt, she wears a veil over her face, only removing it as an old woman when she embarks on one last quest to find her sister and hold the gods accountable for their ill treatment of her. It's a mythic, intimate, raw, and devastating meditation on hatred, love, doubt, and redemption. Through Orual, Lewis probes the deepest struggles, longings, hopes, and limits of the human heart and its perception of the divine with a brilliance that will grab at your heart and not let go. I still tear up when I think of this book, and I read it well over a year ago.
- Britty01
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I am slowly working my way through Charles Dickens novels, Little Dorrit is my favorite. At the moment, I am working my way through 'Hard Times'. I like them because they are a little complex and they make the reader think.The Mythwriter wrote: ↑15 Aug 2009, 00:17 Everyone has at least heard of "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens, but I'm always surprised by how few seem to enjoy it. I'll admit that its true that the the plot, or rather plots, are very numerous and seemingly disjointed; yet the way they weave together in the end is simply genius, and I would think any who complain that plot lines are too linear these days would get their fix for life from this book.
Sydney Carton is definitely one of the most profound characters I know. A life of perpetual disappoint would lead so many to choose so differently, and especially when they could have benefited from it like he could have. But when he makes his final choice... not only giving his life a final purpose, but to define the height of true love and nobility, brings out the best of humanity we all hope actually exists in us.
This book will forever be one of my favorites... I wish I could talk about it for pages, but no one would read the post, haha! But the best way is to read it yourself.
- Zack19c
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- Zack19c
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- Ak1412
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- Ak1412
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- xBibliobibulix
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- oogies
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I am currently still reading a tale of two cities and thus far I love it! I am an old romantic at heart so the likes of Charles Dickens and Jane Austen really appeals to me. I can re-read their novels 100 times over. These books make the dreamer in me unable to function normally for days after I have finished a novel.imstilljoeypotter wrote: ↑27 Feb 2010, 22:36 I loved A Tale of Two Cities! It's a beautiful story.
To previous poster, you're not alone in your love for Emma. I loved all of Jane Austen's novels, but I think my favorite is still Pride and Prejudice. Elizabeth Bennett is the perfect heroine IMO.
- swlly
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- bluesky5_
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