Debated for the extent of their role in literature, classics continue to be a burning subject for readers, authors and critics alike. They are famous among the masses for their timelessness and extraordinary storylines. However, notorious among the modern critics for some of them to be overrated.
Today we are here for those who’ve just had their introduction to this largely undefinable genre. The beginners find it hard where to begin from. Should they go all the way back to Theban Plays, start somewhere around Shakespeare and Marlowe or stick to the contemporary works of Margret Atwood and Paulo Coelho? This extensive and complex timeline makes it difficult for the readers to choose which classic book should they be reading. Therefore, Daastan is here to make that confusing process very easy. In this blog, we present to you “The Guide to reading Classics”.
Defining a Classic
Before diving into the recommendations, let us first familiarise you with the concept of classics. The first thing that may come to your mind is that, this genre maybe specific to an era or a theme. However, that is not the case. For a literary piece to be recognised as a classic, it must contain certain qualities. Here’s a few of them.
- Universal Acknowledgment
Every great work of literature attracts the attention of people worldwide. For it encompasses themes that are universally significant for human beings. Themes like death, love, loss, grief and faith evoke intense emotions in the readers.
- Transcends cultural and linguistic barriers
Works of literary geniuses like Paulo Coelho and Cervantes have been translated in more than 50 languages. Therefore, the reason for this cultural and linguistic transcendence is the quality of their work. From compelling characterisation to phenomenal plots, classics find their readership across borders and seas.
- Timelessness
Words become immortal when they pass from one generation to another and so on. The reason for that is often their message. Moreover, the way it resonates with people of different eras is also noteworthy. It is no coincidence that Plato, Shakespeare and Khalil Gibran are popular for their wisdom-bearing works even today.
Apart from that, the term classic is not to be confused with classical.
Less is More
If you sit down to make a to-be-read pile of all the classics ever written, you’ll never be able to even make it halfway through it. It is because there’s a large number of them present tiday. Instead, focus on reading the ones you genuinely want to read. Besides, not every book is for everyone. One way to find a classic worth your read is to narrow down your list to a sub-genre you enjoy reading. For instance if you’re someone who loves Greek and Roman works, you can start with Homer and Iliad’s epics. If you’re into books covering Biblical themes, Dante’s Divine Comedy and Milton’s Paradise Lost can be a good start.
Recommendations
Now it’s time for some of our top classic picks:
- The Theban Plays – Sophocles
- The Divine Comedy – Dante Alighieri
- Hamlet – William Shakespeare
- Dr. Faustus – Christopher Marlowe
- Frankenstein – Percy Bysshe Shelley
- The Picture of Dorian Gray – Oscar Wilde
- Wuthering Heights – Emily Brontë
- Pride and Prejudice- Jane Austen
- Sherlock Holmes – Arthur Conan Dyle
- The Handmaid’s Tale – Margeret Atwood
You can find more classics recommendations by Daastan at “The Greatest Novels Ever Written”. We hope you enjoyed our Guide to reading Classics.
