5 Must Read Classics

How do you determine a book to be a classic? Is it longevity? Or literary merit? Or maybe it is popularity? I think this is one of the longest debates we've been in, as a race.

For me, it's simple- classics are universal, both in story and message; the characters, perspectives, emotions and experiences remain relevant (virtually forever). Some are even the inspiration, on which other books are based.

Based on that definition here are 5 Classics You Must Read.

1. The Picture of Dorian Gray

Oscar Wilde

This book is immortal (did you get it?). If you did not understand the terrible joke that I just cracked... I think it's time you read this book. (if you did get the joke- excuse my poor sense of humour).

This book however, is timeless and perfectly apt in the 21st century, 130 years after it was first published. It focuses on vanity, a trivial flaw in character, that pushes our dear Dorian to commit grave sins from murder to indulgence.

2. Wuthering Heights

Emily Brontë

If you look up the genres that Wuthering Heights falls under, the results are- tragedy and gothic fiction. They miss one category though, romance. It caters to romance first and foremost.

The story is narrated by Nelly Dean, the house keeper, making it slightly difficult to determine time. However, every time I've read the book, I come across something new, and it never ceases to amaze me.

3. Great Expectations

Charles Dickens

This book initially came out in the serialised edition, which forced Dickens to keep readers hooked. This makes for quite the rollercoaster ride with a LOT of plot twists.

I have related to this book a lot more than I will admit- mostly because it is based on the idea of 'expectations' which is, safe to say, what keeps us going everyday and that of 'reality' which is far from dreamland.

4. Jane Eyre

Charlotte Brontë

This is in short a quintessential Victorian novel. It has gothic elements, realism and a governess story- typical to the period it was written in. Although, I would arguably say that Jane Eyre is more of life story than a love story.

The most admirable character of Jane is her resilience, and her morale- the major take aways from this classic.

5. Frankenstein

Mary Shelly

This is the Mother of all horror books. Period. Somehow though, none of the screen adaptation of Frankenstein can get the details, which is just sad, because it's an amazing story.

Me being me somehow always manage to 'takeaway' something from it- beauty or in this case ugliness (however you want to look at it really). The real monster for me was Victor Frankenstein; as gruesome as his creature was on the outside, he was a far worse man on the inside.

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