Challenging Classics Needed

BookCat · 07-03-2017, 01:54 PM

Recently, I've been reading lots of Amazon freebies, which have been predominantly romantic self-published easy reads. I'd like to get back into reading classics, but find that my reading level has dropped due to the aforementioned material.

At the moment I'm reading Twain's A Connecticut Yankee by following along with this:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?ann...id=3vo6nqrtonI
while also reading it on my Kindle.

I'd like something more challenging, while being interesting at the same time, and in the public domain in the UK. Have the audio of the full text would be a great advantage (Librivox etc).
Thanks.

GERGE · 07-03-2017, 02:01 PM

You might want to read something from D. H. Lawrence.

Luffy · 07-04-2017, 04:21 AM

I recommend War & Peace, if you haven't read it yet. Also the Karamazov Brothers.

pdurrant · 07-04-2017, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BookCat

I'd like something more challenging, while being interesting at the same time, and in the public domain in the UK. Have the audio of the full text would be a great advantage (Librivox etc).
Thanks.

Kim by Rudyard Kipling. Available here at MobileRead in a nice illustrated version that I made in Mobi/Kindle and ePub.

There also appears to be a librivox version.

Quote:

The story of Kim, an English orphan boy in India in the late 1800s. Kim becomes involved in an old Lama's search for a sacred river, and in a British spy ring, playing the "Great Game".

gmw · 07-04-2017, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Kim by Rudyard Kipling. Available here at MobileRead in a nice illustrated version that I made in Mobi/Kindle and ePub. [...]

I can recommend this book and this edition, which I read again only recently. I enjoyed it immensely - and many thanks pdurrant for a very well produced ebook.

BookCat, the following may not be exactly what you had in mind, but a couple of years ago I read a few of Charles Dickens' non-fictions works and found them fascinating. (I got my copy of these off Project Gutenberg, not sure if there might be cleaner editions here on MR.)

American Notes - A sort of diary of Charles Dickens' tour of America in 1842 - almost twenty years before the civil war. This includes the journey to New York, much time in Boston, and then a journey inland as far as the Mississippi and back again. A short journey to Canada and then home again.

The Uncommercial Traveller - A collection of essays by Charles Dickens written between 1860 and 1869. The articles span a wide range of topics and styles: from investigation of significant events (the wreck of the Royal Charter), to some fairly light reference to the town where he grew up (referred to as Dullborough). From investigation into alm's houses, a children's hospital, a white-lead factory and more, to (less than flattering) comments about a teetotal procession.

Lady Stardust · 07-04-2017, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmw

I can recommend this book and this edition, which I read again only recently. I enjoyed it immensely - and many thanks pdurrant for a very well produced ebook.

BookCat, the following may not be exactly what you had in mind, but a couple of years ago I read a few of Charles Dickens' non-fictions works and found them fascinating. (I got my copy of these off Project Gutenberg, not sure if there might be cleaner editions here on MR.)

American Notes - A sort of diary of Charles Dickens' tour of America in 1842 - almost twenty years before the civil war. This includes the journey to New York, much time in Boston, and then a journey inland as far as the Mississippi and back again. A short journey to Canada and then home again.

The Uncommercial Traveller - A collection of essays by Charles Dickens written between 1860 and 1869. The articles span a wide range of topics and styles: from investigation of significant events (the wreck of the Royal Charter), to some fairly light reference to the town where he grew up (referred to as Dullborough). From investigation into alm's houses, a children's hospital, a white-lead factory and more, to (less than flattering) comments about a teetotal procession.

American Notes and The Uncommercial Traveller is also available in Delphi Classics edition of Complete Works by Dickens which is rather affordable.

crich70 · 07-04-2017, 02:40 PM

I believe that there are many good classics (including Dickens) here at MR as well. My own favorite is Treasure Island.

Pablo · 07-04-2017, 05:28 PM

The Strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson

Marvelous LibriVox recording read by Bob Neufeld.

curtw · 07-05-2017, 10:39 AM

Challenging as in challenging your perceptions, preconceptions and prejudices? Then I'd recommend Jonathan Swift (start with "A Modest Proposal," move on to Gulliver's Travels).

Challenging as in, "Lord, this book is painful to read, and I wish I'd never picked it up!" ? Then you need James Fenimore Cooper.

ekbell · 07-05-2017, 01:33 PM

If you've been reading a lot of romantic books then perhaps some of the classic romances (such as those written by Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters)would be good classics to begin with.

Greg Anos · 07-05-2017, 01:52 PM

GrannyGrump has a nice version of some of the short storeis by Damon Runyon. (died 1946).

The stories of "Guys and Dolls" of the New York American Prohibition era gangsters. (Done as humor.)

piperclassique · 07-05-2017, 02:06 PM

I'd second Jane Austen, and suggest any of the Sherlock Holmes books ( Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, not the fanfic!) Also The Signalman, by Charles Dickens, and To Build a Fire (either version) by Jack London.

War and Peace? Well, if you have a lot of spare time, but if not you might consider Anna Karenina.

Enjoy!

drofgnal · 07-06-2017, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luffy

I recommend War & Peace, if you haven't read it yet. Also the Karamazov Brothers.

I would also recommend War and Peace. I've read it three times, wonderful novel.

ReadingManiac · 07-07-2017, 08:30 AM

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/37106
or
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Wome.../dp/B0082Z1CVQ

Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Not in public domain, but you can get it cheap.

BookCat · 07-07-2017, 03:33 PM

Thank you so much for these recommendations.
Here are my thoughts about some of them, and a little more clarification.

D H Lawrence is a great recommendation; I've only read a couple of his books and that was a very long time ago. I wasn't sure he was PD.

War and Peace and Kim are rather longer than I'm looking for at the moment. I read lots of Russian shorts at uni. The plot of Kim does appeal, if only Kipling had edited the book a little!

While I love Dickens' novels, I'm not looking for non fiction. His novels are fairly easy to read imho. Thanks anyway.

Treasure Island is one of those books I've always intended to read, but never got round to. I might try it. As it was written for children, I don't imagine that it's very challenging.

I read Jekyll and Hyde one summer about 20 years ago when I had fun reading lots of classic horrors (including Dracula) in a sunny garden, just for perverse contrast! It might be worth revisiting.

A Modest Proposal is an essay I've had to study twice: for A level and at Uni, all that metaphorical baby eating! I've also read Gulliver several times. I might have a look at his other books.

I've never read a James Fenimore Cooper, but I've been under the impression he wrote westerns (an upmarket Zane Grey). Is he really that painful?

For some reason, I just don't get on with Austen; I've tried several of her books: Emma, Pride and Prejudice .. but find her writing a bit like wading through glue. Imho she needed an editor!

I've read a few Bronte novels: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall; Jane Eyre; and what I later discovered was an abridged version of Wuthering Heights. I do like the Brontes, so might try some of their other works, including the full version of WH.

Thanks for the Jack London recommendation, I haven't read anything by him. I'll take a look at The Signalman too.

I have the pbook of Gone With the Wind but have always been put off by the length. I would love to immerse myself in the story sometime. I've read Little Women.

Thank you.
By 'challenging' I mean in writing style and reading difficulty. The use of complex English grammar and a wide vocabulary. Many self-published, especially romantic, novelists, write poor ungrammatical English and use a very narrow vocabulary - often incorrectly.
I want to avoid authors like Thomas Hardy, who had a gloomy outlook, and find well-written, but positive books (and I love happy endings).
I'm going to cease downloading freebies from Amazon and stick to classics for a while. More recommendations for well-written classics would be very welcome.
I hope I haven't offended anyone with my reactions to the recommendations.

07-03-2017, 01:54 PM	#1
BookCat C L J Posts: 2,912 Karma: 21115458 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Birmingham UK Device: Sony e-reader 505, Kindle PW2, Kindle PW3, Kobo Libra2	Challenging Classics Needed Recently, I've been reading lots of Amazon freebies, which have been predominantly romantic self-published easy reads. I'd like to get back into reading classics, but find that my reading level has dropped due to the aforementioned material. At the moment I'm reading Twain's A Connecticut Yankee by following along with this: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?ann...id=3vo6nqrtonI while also reading it on my Kindle. I'd like something more challenging, while being interesting at the same time, and in the public domain in the UK. Have the audio of the full text would be a great advantage (Librivox etc). Thanks.

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07-03-2017, 02:01 PM	#2
GERGE Guru Posts: 732 Karma: 5797160 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Istanbul Device: Kobo Libra	You might want to read something from D. H. Lawrence.

07-04-2017, 04:21 AM	#3
Luffy Wizard Posts: 4,461 Karma: 429063498 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Mauritius Device: Kindle Paperwhite 4	I recommend War & Peace, if you haven't read it yet. Also the Karamazov Brothers.

07-04-2017, 02:40 PM	#7
crich70 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,305 Karma: 43993832 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Monroe Wisconsin Device: K3, Kindle Paperwhite, Calibre, and Mobipocket for Pc (netbook)	I believe that there are many good classics (including Dickens) here at MR as well. My own favorite is Treasure Island.

07-04-2017, 05:28 PM	#8
Pablo Guru Posts: 970 Karma: 4999999 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Rosario, Argentina Device: SONY PRS-505, PRS-T2	The Strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson Marvelous LibriVox recording read by Bob Neufeld.

07-05-2017, 10:39 AM	#9
curtw Outside of a dog Posts: 863 Karma: 4457646 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston, TX Device: Kindle Voyage	Challenging as in challenging your perceptions, preconceptions and prejudices? Then I'd recommend Jonathan Swift (start with "A Modest Proposal," move on to Gulliver's Travels). Challenging as in, "Lord, this book is painful to read, and I wish I'd never picked it up!" ? Then you need James Fenimore Cooper.

07-05-2017, 01:33 PM	#10
ekbell Guru Posts: 604 Karma: 12345678 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Canada Device: none	If you've been reading a lot of romantic books then perhaps some of the classic romances (such as those written by Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters)would be good classics to begin with.

07-05-2017, 01:52 PM	#11
Greg Anos Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,248 Karma: 35000000 Join Date: Jan 2008 Device: Pocketbook	GrannyGrump has a nice version of some of the short storeis by Damon Runyon. (died 1946). The stories of "Guys and Dolls" of the New York American Prohibition era gangsters. (Done as humor.)

07-05-2017, 02:06 PM	#12
piperclassique A garbling groftpot Posts: 974 Karma: 9234667 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: France Device: Oasis, Voyage, Kobo mini, Samsung tablet, phones, whatever.	I'd second Jane Austen, and suggest any of the Sherlock Holmes books ( Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, not the fanfic!) Also The Signalman, by Charles Dickens, and To Build a Fire (either version) by Jack London. War and Peace? Well, if you have a lot of spare time, but if not you might consider Anna Karenina. Enjoy!

07-07-2017, 08:30 AM	#14
ReadingManiac Genre Jumper Posts: 1,070 Karma: 11070900 Join Date: Dec 2015 Device: Kindle paperwhite	Little Women by Louisa May Alcott https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/37106 or https://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Wome.../dp/B0082Z1CVQ Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell Not in public domain, but you can get it cheap.

07-07-2017, 03:33 PM	#15
BookCat C L J Posts: 2,912 Karma: 21115458 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Birmingham UK Device: Sony e-reader 505, Kindle PW2, Kindle PW3, Kobo Libra2	Thank you so much for these recommendations. Here are my thoughts about some of them, and a little more clarification. D H Lawrence is a great recommendation; I've only read a couple of his books and that was a very long time ago. I wasn't sure he was PD. War and Peace and Kim are rather longer than I'm looking for at the moment. I read lots of Russian shorts at uni. The plot of Kim does appeal, if only Kipling had edited the book a little! While I love Dickens' novels, I'm not looking for non fiction. His novels are fairly easy to read imho. Thanks anyway. Treasure Island is one of those books I've always intended to read, but never got round to. I might try it. As it was written for children, I don't imagine that it's very challenging. I read Jekyll and Hyde one summer about 20 years ago when I had fun reading lots of classic horrors (including Dracula) in a sunny garden, just for perverse contrast! It might be worth revisiting. A Modest Proposal is an essay I've had to study twice: for A level and at Uni, all that metaphorical baby eating! I've also read Gulliver several times. I might have a look at his other books. I've never read a James Fenimore Cooper, but I've been under the impression he wrote westerns (an upmarket Zane Grey). Is he really that painful? For some reason, I just don't get on with Austen; I've tried several of her books: Emma, Pride and Prejudice .. but find her writing a bit like wading through glue. Imho she needed an editor! I've read a few Bronte novels: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall; Jane Eyre; and what I later discovered was an abridged version of Wuthering Heights. I do like the Brontes, so might try some of their other works, including the full version of WH. Thanks for the Jack London recommendation, I haven't read anything by him. I'll take a look at The Signalman too. I have the pbook of Gone With the Wind but have always been put off by the length. I would love to immerse myself in the story sometime. I've read Little Women. Thank you. By 'challenging' I mean in writing style and reading difficulty. The use of complex English grammar and a wide vocabulary. Many self-published, especially romantic, novelists, write poor ungrammatical English and use a very narrow vocabulary - often incorrectly. I want to avoid authors like Thomas Hardy, who had a gloomy outlook, and find well-written, but positive books (and I love happy endings). I'm going to cease downloading freebies from Amazon and stick to classics for a while. More recommendations for well-written classics would be very welcome. I hope I haven't offended anyone with my reactions to the recommendations.

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