Karen at Books and Chocolate has once again come up with a great Back to the Classics list. I love this challenge, even if I don’t stick to my plans, so here goes!
- A 19th century classic: I started Phantastes by George MacDonald years ago and never got far. I really need to try again, as I’ve heard good things about it.
- A 20th century classic: Brideshead Revisited is recommended by some at the Circe Institute, and it’s on the AmblesideOnline list for Year 11. I need to read it myself to decide if it’s appropriate for my teens, so I’ve ordered a copy for myself for Christmas.
- A classic by a woman author: George Eliot’s Silas Marner is on Miss A’s reading list next year, and I’ve never read it, although I think I watched a movie version years ago (can’t remember much).
- A classic in translation: I didn’t get to The Little Prince last year, and I really should – it’s short enough! I even have the movie version waiting for when I finish, thanks to my cousin. 🙂
- A children’s classic: I just ordered the Junior Deluxe Editions The Prince and the Pauper (illustrated by Peter Spier!) to add to my collection, and I think it will be our new read-aloud in January.
- A classic crime story, fiction or non-fiction: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is on the list Karen links in her post, and on the list for AmblesideOnline Year 10 next term – and I found an audio version with Richard Armitage narrating!
- A classic travel or journey narrative, fiction or non-fiction: Perhaps The Odyssey? I made it partway through the other year, but I’ll have to restart in order to qualify for the challenge.
- A classic with a single-word title: I’m thinking a Jane Austen re-read is in order, and either Emma or Persuasion would qualify here. I’m sorely tempted to get Emma in the Penguin hardback edition, even though I have a perfectly fine B&N hardcover. 😛
- A classic with a color in the title: Well, I have Black Beauty and The Woman in White – nothing else has grabbed my attention so far…
- A classic by an author that’s new to you: I’ve never read Mary Shelley’s Frankenstien, and don’t know if I want too, but maybe Dan Stevens’ audio version will help.
- A classic that scares you: Well, Frankenstein and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde would fit here, too, but I’m wondering if I should tackle All Quiet on the Western Front along with Miss A next fall – the violence has made me procrastinate giving it a try.
- Re-read a favorite classic: To Kill a Mockingbird was the first to come to mind for this category!
So many great books! I also want to read Brideshead Revisited, and I believe it’s quite short.
Nice! All Quiet on the Western Front is one of my favourite books of all time. It’s very sad & exquisitely written. I’ve read it three times,; first when I was about 19, later in my 30’s and then more recently. I appreciate it so much more now that I’m older & have sons of a similar age to the protagonist.
I appreciated Brideshead more when I reflected back on it. One of my dd’s gave me the penguin HB set of Jane Austen for my birthday a couple of years ago – lovely!
Just finished Frankenstein – not my favourite book!!
Great list! I love all those beautiful Penguin Deluxe hardcovers, they’re beautiful. If you’re an Austen fan, I also recommend the annotated versions by David M. Shapard — they look really long, but each page has text on the left side and annotations on the right. They’re incredibly detailed with illustrations and so much history and context! I’ve read all Austen’s works multiple times and I still learn new things when I read those editions. They’re wonderful.
I found the colour one hard to find a title for. I think I went with The Woman In White, too. I owned a copy years ago but then donated it and now I’m sad that I did so! I’ve heard such great things about it that I can’t wait to try it out. Good luck with the challenge!
Thanks, Kristilyn!