Modern people shouldn't have a problem with what to read. Indeed, the “hundred of the golden fund” of world classical literature includes such works that will not leave anyone indifferent. These bestsellers have been selected by experts as a fundamental knowledge base that contributes to the harmonious development of a person. And, of course, the first ten works topping the thematic list deserve special attention.
The school curriculum in literature has long been forgotten for many, and modern requirements often bypass seemingly unshakable concepts of classical works, the reading of which should be considered mandatory for every educated person. Nevertheless, it is worth checking the literary baggage, which is recognized throughout the world as a worthy reference point. In this regard, below are the works of authors whose authority cannot be questioned in any way.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
The romantic story of the writer Charlotte Brontë is familiar to almost all connoisseurs of literary works. The book has been repeatedly reprinted and filmed, which speaks volumes about its relevance at all times.
The main character Jane Eyre is presented to the readership as a modest girl living in England. The drama of the story lies in the injustice of the external world of the surrounding defenseless person, who, by the will of fate, lost his parents in childhood and is forced to endure many hardships, including even physical violence.
From the house of the "benefactress" an innocent child enters the Lowood School for Girls, where injustice and cruelty also reign. However, here Jane meets friends, and later gets a job and meets her love. The life of a young woman is full of many events that teach her to overcome obstacles and forgive her offenders.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
This literary work of the famous writer Emily Brontë is full of scenes of passion, love and hate. By the way, this novel is her only experience in prose, because she is better known precisely as a poetess. In addition to vivid experiences during the reading, a very intriguing plot awaits the reader, which keeps him in suspense until the very end of the story.
The action takes place in the countryside, where a new guest arrives, Mr. Lockwood. In the Grozovoy Pass estate, instead of a cozy dwelling in the silence of nature, he is greeted by the rudeness of the homeowner and the gloom of his relatives, who create around a rather gloomy atmosphere of neglect and despair. But this was not always the case, which is what the maid, who befriended him, tells the guest. In the narrative, the reader will be able to learn about the destructive love lasting for several decades.
Notre Dame Cathedral, Victor Hugo
Victor Hugo is one of the elite of French classics. And his famous novel "Notre Dame Cathedral", which tells the story of the tragic and beautiful love of several young men for one girl, was reprinted many times and became the basis of the plot for theatrical and cinematic projects.
Of particular interest is the final choice of the main character of the story, Esmeralda, who consciously gives preference not to the beauty of the body and material benefits, but to the purity of the soul of her romantic admirer, who in the physical sense is a real freak.
Sister Carrie, Theodore Dreiser
The immortal creation of a foreign classic still does not lose its relevance. This speaks in favor of the fact that his chosen plot and detailed description of the characters are characterized exclusively as realistic.
Kerry Meber at the age of 18, wanting to change her life for the better, moves from a small town to stay with relatives in Chicago. However, the metropolis did not open its arms to her, but showed complete indifference and harshness. After a while, the attractive girl has a new acquaintance, Drouet, who introduces her to a certain George Hurstwood. Through this bar manager, the heroine of the story enters New York. And here she fulfills her dream by becoming a theater actress.
Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell
Despite the rather hackneyed plot, the realism of the characters and situations is so clearly striking that it is simply impossible to tear yourself away from reading this novel.
Molly Gibson is the daughter of a physician and falls in love with the wealthy heir, Roger Hempley, from a distinguished and respected family. Between him and his half-sister Cynthia, a special relationship has long been established, far from related. However, later it turns out that Cynthia does not share Roger's feelings, but deftly manipulates him to solve her own selfish goals. At the end of the story, a happy ending awaits the reader, so the love triangle in this case does without the traditional tragedy.
The Adventures of Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
This book tells about the difficult life of the boy Oliver Twist, who, after the death of his mother, finds himself in an orphanage, where all the pupils live according to harsh laws.
After Oliver has committed a minor offense, he is identified as an apprentice to the undertaker. Here he becomes completely unbearable, and he escapes to London. Once in a big city, the orphan becomes attracted to a gang of street children who pickpocket for their livelihood. A happy ending comes only after meeting with Mr. Brownlow, who provides a novice thief with a decent life of an honest person.
"Red and Black", Stendhal
The psychological novel became for its author the best literary creation that came out of his pen. And as material for the plot, he used real events.
Julien Sorel, due to his unscrupulousness and ambitions, is ready to take advantage of any opportunity for the sake of his career, regardless of the moral aspect. This approach to life leads him to the mayor's house, where he gets a job as a tutor. Here he easily starts a romantic relationship with the wife of his benefactor. However, unpleasant rumors force the protagonist to leave the city.
In Paris, he again manages to get a profitable local secretary from the Marquis de La Mole. This time, his external attractiveness and ambition allow him to take possession of the feelings of the daughter of an aristocrat, despite the fact that he himself does not feel reciprocity. However, an unexpected letter from his former mistress becomes the reason for his next failure. Now he is overcome by only one feeling of revenge against Madame de Renal, whom he is going to take her life.
Tender Night, Fitzgerald
The reader of this novel will find a wide range of feelings experienced during the reading. At first, the plot vividly and dynamically plunges him into an interesting narration of the story, which in its final part leaves a bitter aftertaste. Moreover, the end of the work leaves a lot of questions, the answers to which everyone must give themselves.
Young man Dick Diver works as a psychiatrist. One day he falls in love with his patient and even becomes her husband. The quiet life of a married couple on the Riviera changes instantly when 18-year-old Rosemary appears, strikingly different from Nicole. A romance ensues in which Dick falls very much in love with this young lady. And after a while he loses sight of her after leaving.
After 4 years, young people meet again. Rosemary is still energetic and beautiful. A new wave of feelings covers them headlong. However, this time everything passes quickly and without a trace. Moreover, along with the relationship, the professional career of a psychiatrist also fades. But the hero is not going to give up, but wants to understand the reasons for this turn of fate and relationship. After a while, he again finds his beloved and wants to return his former happiness.
"Dangerous Liaisons", Choderlos de Laclos
Despite the format of this book, designed in the form of letters, it reads quite easily and with great interest. The style of presenting information and the language of the story leave only positive emotions for the readers.
According to the author of the work himself, the published correspondence is reliable. The adjustments affected only a small part of the narrative, which is purely editorial in nature. While events can often be predicted in advance, a dynamic plot does not leave the reader in a relaxed position.
The story of the book is that Madame de Volange plans to give her daughter in marriage to the Comte de Jarcourt, taking her out of the monastery where she was staying as a novice. The Marquis de Merteuil, who is the groom's mistress, wants to prevent this arrangement of things. To carry out an insidious plan, she resorts to the services of the Viscount de Valmont, who, being her friend, is supposed to seduce an inexperienced bride.
The Catcher in the Rye by Jerome Salinger
Even today, this literary work evokes a lot of conflicting opinions and emotional perceptions among readers.
The hero of the story is in the clinic for treatment. A 16-year-old boy has a difficult relationship with his peers. In addition, he cannot communicate normally with girls. And his only friend is his younger sister Phoebe. His inner world is filled with conflicting feelings, in which there is no place for other people. Lovers of psychological experiments will find this work quite interesting. However, for connoisseurs of dynamic and adventure works, this book will, most likely, seem rather unusual and irrelevant.
