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Editors’ Picks: Classics
Canonized as must-read literature, these are the timeless classics that our editors revisit over and over.
Published on September 11, 2023
Crime and Punishment
Fyodor DostoyevskyAlyosha, the idealist; Ivan, the intellectual; and Dmitry, the hedonist — three brothers in name that lack a deeper bond. The eldest is on trial for the murder of their father, Fyodor Karamazov, but all three are suspects. In Dostoevsky’s magnum opus, we discover secrets, resentment and guilt in a family bound by tragedy, and the involvement of a fourth brother, Smerdyakov, the illegitimate child. — Andrea B.
Anna Karenina
Leo TolstoyIt’s striking when a book manages to delve into the human condition and offer a gripping plot along with unforgettable characters. This is in part why Tolstoy’s sixth novel has been considered by some to be the greatest novel of all time. Through the parallel debacle of the two main characters, Anna and Levin, Tolstoy portrays the morals of Russia’s high society in the 19th century. — Andrea B.
Pride and Prejudice
Jane AustenA witty romp through Regency England, this is the novel that Austen referred to as “her own darling child,” and I can see why. It’s worth another read if you trudged through it in high school. Whether it’s due to Netflix’s adaptation of “Bridgerton” or your own maturing tastes, watching the strong-willed and vivacious Elizabeth Bennet spar with the aloof Mr. Darcy is more fun now than ever before. — Katie W.
Their Eyes Were Watching God: A Novel
Zora Neale HurstonHurston’s classic from the Harlem Renaissance wowed me from the moment I first read it. An anthropologist by training, Hurston brings her ethnographic research alive beautifully in this moving tale rooted in the people and histories of the South. She doesn’t shy away from intense subjects, like sexuality, and by refusing to minimize Black folk culture and language, her novel — written in 1937 — is an essential part of the antiracist canon. — Katie W.
The Count of Monte Cristo
Alexandre DumasA swashbuckling adventure packed with disguises, riches, and revenge. Wrongfully imprisoned, an innocent man escapes, seeking hidden treasure and payback against the men who set him up. An epic in both length and spirit of adventure, “The Count of Monte Cristo” explores injustice and the cost of vengeance. This classic is both a page-turner and a joy to read again and again. — Katie W.
Brave New World
Aldous HuxleyIn an age where conversations about the dangers of technology, the corruption of power, and the loss of individuality are more common than ever, Huxley’s book from 1932 comes across as more of a warning than a novel. Terrifying and engrossing, The Wall Street Journal called it “one of the most prophetic dystopian works of the 20th century.” — Lanie P.
Little Women
Louisa May AlcottAlcott’s classic is packed with examples of strong women, including independent Jo, wise Meg, empathetic Beth, and passionate Amy — not to mention everyone’s favorite literary mom, Marmee. The March women’s journey of navigating love, loss, and family during the Civil War is based on the author’s early life as she struggled to break free from expectations placed upon women in her day. “Little Women” has inspired several film adaptations, including my personal favorite, the 1994 movie starring Winona Ryder and Susan Sarandon. — Lanie P.
Anne of Green Gables
Lucy Maud MontgomeryMontgomery’s story of a young orphan finding her way (amid plenty of misadventures) has charmed readers for generations. Anne Shirley’s wholehearted emotions, zest for life, and imaginative spirit inspire us all. Her adoptive parents, Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, only make this classic more endearing. — Lanie P.
1984
George OrwellI credit “1984” for sparking my lifelong love of dystopian fiction and changing the way I think about politics, propaganda, and privacy. Oceania — where thoughts, actions, and emotions are all under the domineering and all-seeing purview of the government — is a total nightmare that hits a little too close to home. The parallels between Orwell’s vision of 1984 and present day realities (mass surveillance, fake news, censorship, etc.) make for a grim read that’s as relevant as ever. Remember, Big Brother is watching you! — Emma C.
A Christmas Carol
Charles DickensAs heartless as he is wealthy, Ebenezer Scrooge is desperately in need of a lesson in Christmas cheer. That’s exactly what he gets when the spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come pay him a visit to show him the error of his ways. Scrooge’s transformation from miserly miser to generous community member is the embodiment of Christmas cheer, making this classic worth a reread every holiday season. — Emma C.
A Farewell to Arms: The Hemingway Library Edition
Ernest HemingwayThis semi-autobiographical account of the improbable love between Frederic Henry, an American ambulance driver fighting for the Italian Army, and Catherine Barkley, an English nurse, during World War I showcases Hemingway at his finest. The haunting descriptions of destruction, despair, and hope evoke every emotion. — Ashley M.
Ethan Frome
Edith WhartonThere’s something deeply chilling about Wharton’s novella, and the wintry New England backdrop is hardly the half of it. With sparse dialogue, a stark landscape, and descriptions of domesticity, Wharton creates a rich atmosphere and an unforgettable story. It’s no wonder Wharton was the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize. — Ashley M.
White Fang
Jack LondonThe ideas and imagery surrounding lone wolves struck a chord with me when I was younger, and continues to reverberate as I age. London’s “White Fang” is in direct conversation with his other beloved work, “The Call of the Wild,” as the author explores the limits of nature and nurture through the story of an outcast wolf-dog. — Ashley M.
Herland
Charlotte Perkins GilmanContemporary culture is rife with dystopian stories, such that utopian fiction feels like a lost art. “Herland” is one of only a few utopian stories I’ve ever read, and I continue to think about it any time I read yet another YA dystopia (don’t get me wrong — I love yet another YA dystopia!). Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s novella from 1915 is a great introduction to the utopian subgenre that will deepen your perspective on modern-day discussions of feminism. — Ashley M.