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Most loved "classic" novel you've read

SFG75

SFG75

Well-Known Member
I have to give credit for the inspiration of this thread to henrietta. We've discussed books that we'd rather pitch than read, now it's time to talk about the ones we actually like!.

If I had to pick one, just one novel that I truly enjoyed and thought was the greatest, I'd pick The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck.

Why?, For one, I'm a history buff and the depression is a key area of interest of mine. Second, all of the characters have a distinct voice, something that is lacking in other works. Third, the style of writing is absolutely amazing, from the used car salesman's "rap" of sorts to Tom Joad's "I'll be there" passage, the book has a ton of strengths IMHO.
 
Sorry, SFG75, but I hated that book. Technically I hate all of Steinbeck's work, just because I can't stand his writing style and that I'm not interested in what he writes about.

My favorite classic would have to be To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Absolutely fantastic.
 
And I totally agree with you, SFG... lol. The Grapes of Wrath is one of my favorite books of all time. The characters were well-shaped and distinct, and I also found the topic really interesting. It was depressing to see them struggle, but their determination to stay together and keep family first was heartwarming. I love that book.

Another favorite classic of mine is The Power and The Glory, by Graham Greene. Strangely enough, I don't like any of his other books, but this one completely won me over. I loved the priest- he was such a good man who touched so many people's lives, but he was nearly obsessed with his faults and was utterly blind to his own strengths. The lieutenant was so single-minded in his hatred for the church, but in the end he allowed himself to be kind to the priest and began to question his own beliefs and actions. I also love some of the more ambiguous sub-plots
(I still wonder what happened to Coral. Did she die? Run away? Join a convent? All are pluasible).
It was a book that really made me think.
 
At the moment mine is The Scarlet Pimpernel by Emmuska Orczy. I've always liked adventures so it would come as no surprise that this aspect of the story appeals to me, as well as the following sequels featuring the feats of the League and its daring leader. Like Sir Percy's disguises, even the characters are not always what they seem at face value. I adore Sir Percy, but I also love Chauvelin. I have yet to come across a film adaptation that captures him as I've pictured him from the novel.
 
Tough one...

The Canterbury Tales. It was a challenge reading it in Middle English but I certainly enjoyed it!!
 
Hmmm...are we talking about all books that are well known and old enough to be considered classics? Or just 'the classics', that familiar and popular set of titles such as Frankenstein, Dracula, House of the Seven Gables...? :)

It's almost a draw for me. 'I, Claudius' would have to be my favorite, followed by ' Lady Chatterly's lover.' The first book is a very enjoyable read, even with the leniencies the author takes. As for Lawrence, I just like his style. His characters seem to float to life.
 
This is really a very difficult question.
I would decide for Proust's "In Searching for Lost Time", if this counts for "one" novel.

Greetings
 
Right now, I'm reading a classic: Cry, the Beloved Country. It's a really beautiful book thus far, albeit tedious. Basically, it's the time of the apartheid in South Africa, and Kumalo, a pastor, has received a letter saying that his sister is ill, from Msimangu, and has gone to Johannesburg. His whole family, aside from his wife, has moved there. He and his wife have received no news since. So, he's trying to find his family--his son, Absalom, his sister, Gertrude, and his brother, John.

I'm a lot further than that, but that's basically the plot so far. It's a lot more interesting than it seems. Very poetic.
 
The waveguide said:
Mine favorite is "The Gospel According to Jesus Christ" by José Saramago.
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Is that religious at all? If not I'll try to read it. It sounds as though it can be interesting. Sort of like The Last Temptation of Christ??

I think Les Miserables was excellent. Slow in the beginning but really picked up pace. It probably took me a week or so to finish it. Fine, perhaps a bit longer...it is a tome! :D
 
veniqe said:
Is that religious at all? If not I'll try to read it. It sounds as though it can be interesting. Sort of like The Last Temptation of Christ??
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Well, it was accused of blasphemy by the catholic church, so I assume it's not TOO overly respectful. Wiki

(It came out in 1991, btw. So... "classic"?)
 
beer good said:
Well, it was accused of blasphemy by the catholic church, so I assume it's not TOO overly respectful. Wiki

(It came out in 1991, btw. So... "classic"?)
Click to expand...


Well, a classic can be an almost newly published book or a tome published in 1627!!

I'll most certainly have a look at it. I just hope I'll be able to find it quite easily, being in South Africa and all and all.
 
Gulliver's Travels, Jonathan Swift

i finally decided on this title because i would actually read this again if i had to and i can't say that for most of the classics i read (and loved).
 
Silas Marner. For that 'feel good' factor at the end. If I'd had another daughter I might even have called her Hepzibah...
 
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