Classic Books I Didn't Expect to Like

Classics and I, we don't have too strong of a relationship. I made it a resolution of mine for 2016 to read more than 5 classics, but of course, that didn't go as planned. I took that goal and put it under my 2017 resolutions list, so hopefully I can smack some sense into myself before the end of the year comes. This year, I plan to challenge my reading and analysis skills, particularly going towards more challenging texts (in this case classic books). I wasn't completely useless in 2016, though. I did have classics assigned from school, and those are the books we're going to look at today!


1. Lord of the Flies by William Golding

I remember reading this in 9th grade and really enjoying the pace. Apart from being a really symbolic story in terms of the manifestation of evil and savagery, it was an action-packed and angsty book. I didn't expect to like this one at first because, like my initial reaction with all classic books, I thought it was going to be a hard book to read and understand. I also thought it was going to be boring because it was labeled under the "classic" category. To be honest, I was very wary of reading any classics because I thought I wouldn't understand the writing style. I ended up really enjoying this one, especially because the characters were young and their actions were relatable. 

2. The Odyssey by Homer

My obvious reluctance towards reading this book was because it was COMPOSED SOMETIME IN THE 8TH CENTURY. I was sure this book was going to be hella cryptic, and I would spend more time on Sparknotes rather than reading the actual book. Fast forward to today, I actually appreciate this book more than I thought I would. One reason could be attributed to my love for Greek mythology, which is the groundwork for The Odyssey. I also thought this particular novel challenged me because it was a poem and there was a very rhythmic tone to it.  

3. 1984 by George Orwell

This book was reminiscent of a dystopian novel, and I like how this book made me pay attention to every detail. With most classics, I like how they don't give you happy endings. That would be too unrealistic. The best part of this book was that knuckle-gripping ending, wow! I also had the pleasure of watching the film adaptation with my class, and it really eventuated my understanding. 

4. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

I thought that this book had the shared the same kind of vibes with 1984, and I enjoyed it just as much. No, not only because it was about books! Well of course not, they outlaw books in this book! This was the first classic book I ever read for school, as it was assigned during the summer of my first year of high school. I remember reading it at first but feeling extremely bored because I wasn't used to reading classics. Again, after discussing it in class and even writing a play with the characters, I have come to appreciate its message. 

5. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

I actually just finished TGG two nights ago, so excuse me for a second. *sips water, clears throat* GUYS, GUYS, GUYSSSSSS. I can't get over this book, literally the perfection of it all and the entire message of the book coming together in the end. My entire perception of it might be altered because I loved the movie, but the book added so much more depth the characters and the world. The movie missed a lot of small things that happened in the book and the small quirks of the characters. I was so happy to finally have read this book, after having my doubts at first because this is historical fiction. Historical fiction and I are like water and oil- we don't mix! Yet again, the 1920's is my favorite time period! 

I didn't 100% understand everything but after discussing a lot with my classmates, I understand and appreciate the themes behind the book and the direction that Fitzgerald took to get the message out there. Now all I need is the beautiful Penguin Classics edition, muahahhaha! 


What are some of your favorite classics?

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20 comments

  1. I don't get along with the classics much either, which I feel guilty about considering I have a degree in English. I'd really like to challenge myself to read the classics in 2017 though. I'm a sucker for Shakespeare though. LOVED Richard III, which fueled my obsession with the War of the Roses. I also really loved the Great Gatsby. So much so that I actually read it twice!

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    1. Same here. I'm glad we're both up for the challenge! You see, that's the thing. Although I do enjoy some classics, I can never get into Shakespeare. Maybe some Romeo and Juliet are due for this year because I'm a sucker for unrequited loved.

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  2. I think the only classic I finished, aside from those written by Agatha Christie, is Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. How that even happened is beyond me since it's a romance novel (and I'm not a very romance-y reader). I'm hoping to read more classics this year though (setting a realistic goal of 3 but hopefully I get around 6). The Lord of Flies, 1984, and Fahrenheit 451 are some of the classics I'm really hoping to read :)

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    1. 1984 is one of my all time favorites from this list. I'm not a very romance-y person either, but I'm looking into getting to the more romance-y classics like Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters. Thanks for reading and sharing!

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  3. I love classic, I love the feels it give me, but we don't have a really good relationship either. As someone who has English as second language, it's hard to read! Which is why I'm so scared reading Odyssey and can't appreciate the beauty of The Great Gatsby. I usually read the translated version, but I do know there are some beauties that will get lost in the translation :( Some of my favorite classics that I read in english are Dracula, To Kill A Mockingbird and Frankenstein :)

    Tasya // The Literary Huntress

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    1. I really want to read Frankenstein and Dracula because I love a good fright, so I will be checking those out in the near future. I hope we become more acclimated to classics. Thank you for reading and sharing :D

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  4. My older sister loooves Lord of the Flies and I just don't get it XD haha. Classics? From Jane Austen to Shakespeare, I often love classic novels :) Great list!

    Brittany @ Brittany's Book Rambles

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    1. I wish I loved them as much as you, Brittany! I guess it's just going to take some time to get more acclimated to them.

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  5. I read Fahrenheit 451 in 9th grade and Lord of the Flies in 10th grade! I'm not a big classic reader myself, but those two books have gone down as some of the best books I've ever read. I might give classics another chance.

    Kathlyn | Kathlyn's Korner

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    1. Please do and if you're considering it, I highly recommend The Great Gatsby!

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  6. Pride and Prejudice, Rebecca, To Kill a Mockingbird and The Great Gatsby are my favorite classics

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    1. Okay we seriously one day have to talk about TGG together because I'm completely hooked. I bought two new editions last week and even watched the movie :P

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  7. 1984 is one of my favourite books ever! I read it for school last year along with Lord Of The Flies and they were both such incredible reads that are so applicable to life now! Awesome review!

    xx Anisha (https://sprinkledpages.blogspot.com.au/)

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    1. Thanks Anisha! It's cool how classics have an impact :D

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  8. You just read most of the books I've been wanting to read -- Ahh lucky you!! I'm glad you liked The Great Gatsby, Fahrenheit 451, and 1984 because these have been in my list for quite some time now haha. Great post! I'm going to have to search for these in the bookstore when I visit :)

    Jillian @ Jillian's Books

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    1. YESS JILLIAN! I read The Great Gatsby not even expecting to like it, much less love it. After I read it, I WAS SHOOK! I do hope you find something you're interested in among this list :D

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  9. I haven't read these yet because honeslty like you said I don't expect to like them, haha. I've been getting more into classics, though, so maybe I'll pick them up at some point. My faves are Persuasion, Jane Eyre, Agnes Grey, and Northanger Abbey. :D

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    1. I think even though we don't expect to like books, we should always give them a try. I'm glad you're getting more into classics and are even considering picking some of these up. I hope you will love them. P.S. I'm trying to get into Jane Eyre this year <3

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  10. I love Pride and Prejudice, The Catcher In the Rye, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest!

    http://snapsnpixels.blogspot.com/

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    1. I can't wait to read Pride and Prejudice. That one has been on my list for ages!

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