Sarah E's Top Five...The Classics

July 07, 2010

As you can tell, I like the classics. There is a reason they make you read these books in school ladies and gentleman. It is because they are awesome. They resound. They make you think and imagine and understand like you never had before. I have found that while you may not possess the wisdom when you first read them in school, they stick with you, and you come back to them later. They are worth it, trust me. Maybe not these specific ones, but something along these lines. One day you’ll remember how awkward Mr. Collins was or how much you hated Uriah Heep and you’ll get it. You’ll know how amazing books can be. Especially these….

1. A Wrinkle in Time – Madeleine L’Engle - The wacky adventures of two children desperately trying to find their missing father. Madeline L’Engle creates a world that defies reality but remains full of heart.

2. 1984 – George Orwell - A classic tale of man vs control. In a world where everyone is expected to be the same, should you fight to be an individual? George Orwell’s masterpiece that makes you think. As if any of his work doesn’t.

3. Grendel – John Gardner - The epic tale of Beowulf told from the perspective of Grendel, the monster doing the terrorizing. John Gardner retells the story removing Beowulf’s heroism and Grendel’s ferocity. By doing so, he puts the preverbal shoe on the other foot. The dragon is also hilarious.

4. Tale of Two Cities – Charles Dickens - Charles Dickens has written many a famous novel, but this one takes my cake. Nothing will compare to the image of Miss Pross and Madame Defarge breaking it down Jerry Springer style while the guillotine runs amuck outside.

5. Long Walk to Freedom – Nelson Mandela - We all know who he is, what he has gone through, and what he has done. In this autobiography, however, we get to know Nelson himself. His stories of his youth and the tragedy of his life are mind blowing. How can a man who has gone through so much be so down to earth and human? By reading this work, you will finally begin to fully understand the power behind the man.

Sarah E.