Here at Books of Brilliance, we love classic novels a lot. That is why we often include them in many lists and recommend them as often as we can. Which is why we have decided to share this list of five timeless classics you’ll appreciate more as an adult . Keep reading to find out which books made our list!
There is a good chance that you have read many if not all of these novels in school. But when you are reading because it is an assigned reading, you are less likely to appreciate the novel or its content. That is why we recommend revisiting these classic novels that have aged like fine wine over the decades.
This list includes some of our favorite classic novels that we can’t live without. From modern classics to novels written over a century ago, this list has it all. You can see the full list below!
5 Timeless Classic Novels You’ll Appreciate More as an Adult
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
- The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
- The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is a must read classic genre no matter what you like to read. While it wouldn’t be my pick as the best classic novel ever written, it is still pretty high on my list. It is a novel that I enjoyed a lot and as someone that doesn’t read much romance books and that says a lot.
Elizabeth Bennett is one of five daughters and the novel follows her and Mr. Darcy, who moves near the Bennetts. Elizabeth’s older sister Jane falls in love with Bingley who is a close friends with Mr. Darcy.
Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth interact at a party and while Mr. Darcy falls for Elizabeth, she insults him after he is rude to her. Jane and Bingley seem like they are made for each other but suddenly, things go awry. Elizabeth guesses that somebody doesn’t want them to get married.
A turn of events scares the Bennett family and Elizabeth turns to Mr. Darcy to help. Will Jane and Bingley get married? And how does Elizabeth feel about Mr. Darcy? Jane Austen spins a tale like no other that has remained relevant centuries later and is considered one of the best historical fiction books ever written.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
My pick as the best classic ever written would easily be To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. It is a timeless classic novel that made me fall in love with reading. That is why classics should be taught in schools because even one book can have a big impact on someone.
The novel is narrated by six-year-old Jean Louise Finch and takes place in 1933 in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama. Jean, along with older brother Jeremy, and friend Dill are caught in a drama involving their father Atticus Finch.
Atticus, a lawyer, is assigned to defend Tom Robinson, a black man who has been accused of raping a white woman. Residents of the town are not happy with Atticus defending a black man. But Atticus is determined to defend him as he would any other man, not matter their race.
The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is a classic novel that is also beautiful coming of age story. It is taught in many high schools and has a lot to impart on students. The novel had a powerful effect on me and till this day, I think about Holden Caulfield and the ducks at Central Park.
17-year old Holden Caulfield has been kicked out his boarding school in Pennsylvania. Winter Break is around the corner and he decides to go back to New York City. But he doesn’t tell his parents that he has been kicked out. Instead, Holden books a hotel in New York.
He explores New York City and finds all the adults to be phony and lashes out. A drunk night out leads to him visiting his younger sister who represents all that is innocent to him. All Holden wants to do is to leave everything behind and start new but where does he go from here?
This novel either resonates with readers or they end up hating it with a passion. A big reason is that Holden appeals to a certain of reader. It also doesn’t help that the world is completely different than it was in 1951. I think this is a classic novel that still captures what it means to grow up through the lens of a teenager.
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
If I had to choose a favorite classic novel other than To Kill a Mockngbird, then I would choose The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. This adventure novel was written in the mid 1800s and has aged like fine wine since it was first written by the French author.
The novel tells the story of Edmond Dantès who has just been named the captain of the ship Pharaon. He plans to propose to his girlfriend but never happens as Edmond is accused of treason and locked up in an island fortress.
After years of imprisonment, Edmond escapes the prison and searches for the hidden treasure that his cellmate hid before getting arrested. Now, with newfound wealth and fame, Dantès seeks to get revenge on the people who falsely accused him and ruined his life.
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
When The Picture of Dorian Gray was first published in 1890, it was very controversial. But as time passed, the novel became a classic and was regarded as a must read novel. Even to this day, people can’t seem to get enough of this brilliant story.
On a nice summer day in Victorian England, friends Lord Henry Cotton, painter Basil Hallward and Dorian are chatting. Hallward is painting a portrait of Dorian Gray who has been gifted with beauty. The conversation turns towards beauty and Gray wishes that the painting would age instead of him.
The conversation makes Dorian bolder and outgoing. Thus, he decides to pursue Sibyl Vane, actress at a working-class theatre. The relationship moves quick and Gray proposes to her. But a poor performance by Sibyl leaves Dorian embarrassed and he calls the wedding off.
When Dorian checks upon his self potrait, he realizes that the portrait has changed. All of the consequences of his actions were suffered by his painting and not him. Dorian’s wish of never aging has come true. That makes him pursue all the vices that are in a novel given to him Lord Cotton.
With not repercussions for his actions, Gray loses his sense of morality and empathy and hurts anyone that crosses him while deflecting blame on everyone but him. But his past catches up to him and now he is being hunted so he can pay for his actions and the people he has hurt.
Conclusion
These are the five timeless classic novels that you’ll appreciate more as an adult. I applaud you if you have read any of these novels outside of school. Reading is a lot more enjoyable when you do it as a hobby and not as homework assignment.
Each of these novels is brilliantly written and have a lot to impart on readers. They all offer different things and showcase a world that is different than the one we currently live in. Even if some of them might have become out of date, you get to travel back in time and experience the world that the author lived in when they wrote the book.
How many of these timeless classic novels are you eager to read? What other classic novels do you revisit? Let us know in the comments below. Until next time, happy reading!