James Metcalf on the fictionality of the latest archaeological page-turners
Stephen Puddicombe looks at the unusual appeal of Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot
Ciaran Rafferty investigates the science of book classification
There are certain entities in all forms of culture that one subconsciously feels they should have experienced in order to call themselves true lovers of art. How many of us have seen The Sound Of Music? When did you last listen to Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony? Or read Ulysses? This list explores the top 10 literary classics you wish you had read but probably haven’t.
Salinger’s controversial 1951 novel sneaks in at number 10 quite simply because it’s my favourite book of all time and I make it my life mission to force it upon as many people as possible. I’ve read it at least 10 times, and each time I have done so (ALERT: CLICHE TO FOLLOW) I have found something new within its pages. An absolutely enthralling read which I thoroughly recommend to anyone.
Since the release of the 2001 Hollywood blockbuster Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Tolkien’s novels featuring the fantasy world of Middle Earth and main protagonists Frodo and Bilbo Baggins have become perhaps the most phenomenal success story in movie-adaptation history. And the reason why this epic piece of literature only makes number nine on the list is simple: a lot of people have read it. The original novel was released to great critical acclaim in 1937 by Oxford professor John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, becoming an overnight sensation. It has been in print ever since, with the exception of World War Two’s paper shortage, and has been translated into hundreds of languages.
I studied this delightful piece of literature at GCSE. I found it boring. Very boring. Painfully boring in fact. The only things that tempted me away from gouging my eyes out were the pretty illustrations of the setting which were included in the edition we shared between two at school. Since those halcyon days of GCSE English Literature, however, I have become a more cultured, well-rounded academic: more appreciative of the genius of such literary gems. With this in mind, I read it again. And I can whole-heartedly say, that it was even more boring than the first time. I just couldn’t get that damn Kate Bush song out of my head! But it’s famous and not many people read it so it makes the list...
Anything that’s used as an analogy of something long can’t be good can it? Though I can’t profess to having read it myself, Tolstoy’s largest and most acclaimed novel is perhaps the most famous seminal novel not to be referenced by the Libertines. Detailing the events preceding Napoleon’s invasion of Russia, War and Peace was first published in its entirety in 1869. I’ll leave you with a quote from the author to muse upon. If you attempt to tackle it, I wish you the very best of luck good sir! “[War and Peace] is not a novel, even less is it a poem, and still less an historical chronicle." I say...
A sensation when first published, Herman Melville’s most innovative novel gave life to the term ‘Great American Novel.’ The basis of the story is really quite simple, but the plot is entwined with symbolism and metaphors for obsession, revenge and sanity which embellish an already great read. With one of the greatest opening lines in “Call me Ishmael”, Moby-Dick is a wonderful piece of writing and an absolutely fascinating read which few seem to have taken on.
Nineteen Eighty-Four is the source of Orwellian coinages ‘Big brother’ and ‘Room 101’. Set in a totalitarian society in which citizens’ rights are stripped away and a system of surveillance and mind control installed, Orwell’s image of the future is little short of terrifying. Perhaps more accessible than one may think, this novel, charting the life of Winston Smith in a post-atomic world is intellectually fascinating as well as superb entertainment.
Originally published anonymously, Shelley’s masterpiece has become one of the most famous horror stories of all time. The widespread availability of films and TV shows on this novel mean that the story is well known. But Hollywood’s referral to the monster as "Frankenstein" has provided decades of confusion. This most basic of misconceptions serves as proof that the novel deserves to take number four on our list.
Everyone has heard of this book. And everyone knows who wrote it. Fewer know just what it’s all about. Dickens’ epic bildungsroman, Great Expectations, is, one of the greatest romances written during the nineteenth century and provides us with one of Dickens’ most compelling characters.
Originally broadcast as a radio comedy in 1978, Adams’ work has become a multi-media phenomenon, sparking comics, TV series, books, stage shows, computer games, films and a University of York society. He claims to have come up with the idea whilst hitchhiking around Europe in the early 1970’s. Lying drunk in a field clutching a copy of A Hitchhiker’s Guide To Europe, Adams looked up at the stars and mused upon a Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
How many of us have claimed to have read this 1813 novel, safe in the knowledge that a cursory glance at a Wednesday night TV drama whilst we read the paper will prove we have at least some knowledge of the plot? Charting the life of Elizabeth Bennet, Austen explores the world of a girl brought up in aristocratic 19th Century England; the theme of moral righteousness being extensively developed. Despite the rapid dating of comedies, Pride and Prejudice retains significance in the 21st Century, providing a timeless plot that will continue to be used for centuries to come.
It's Jane Austen. I think spelling the author's name right is sort of important.
Don't know how we let that one slip through, apologies. Corrected.
Read the majority of them and those that I had were definitely worth it - wish I had managed to get around to reading through the behemoth that is 'War And Peace'. And I wouldn't say that Hitch Hikers' is a classic as a book - the original radio series was significantly better than everything that came after it! 
It is quite uncanny: http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/book_extracts/article4773601.ece?token=null&offset=0&page=1
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/article4803882.ece
Many of the books will appear on everyone's list. I certainly wouldn't have included the Hobbit - it's a pleasant book but isn't amazing - but I definitely would have included LOTR. I wouldn't have included Hitch Hiker's but I probably would have included a few other books. Probably a Shakespeare. They'll be very similar lists, though!
Not trying to sound pompous, but I've actually read 8/10 of these, and I think quite a few people will have also read a lot of them. Maybe some less popular books like 'The Three Musketeers' and 'Fahrenheit 451' would have been better? Just a thought.
I'd have been tempted to put Catch 22 there somewhere myself
Why The Hobbit not The Lord of the Rings? I know the former started the story, but that doesn't make it better. I wouldn't've put either on, but I don't see the logic in the choice made between them.
Also Dan, only 4 of this list appear in the 15 on the two Times lists, which is hardly uncanny, especially given the subversive intention of the latter.
Incredibly, Jason Rose is right. I'm going to have to have a lie down...
I merely thought it was uncanny how many of the 10 books recommended by this list are actually pretty naff. The only reason anyone could ever have for reading most of this list (Great Expectations and the Hobbit aside) is to say that they had done so. Or to sit in some 'kooky' counter-culture coffee bar and say to someone who is sporting an expensive haircut, "yah, Tolstoy really gets it you know".
Pride and Prejudice is by far the naffest book ever penned and as for Catcher in the Rye, crikey, I presume that the new thing found by the author of this article upon each new read, was yet another example of how the book sucked.
That said, I liked the Famous 5 so what do I know?
Dan - That's a little unfair. All books are read for the sake of reading and none of the above books are really 'naff,' however much you personally may dislike them - and if you haven't read them you can't really judge them anyway.
Out of the eight I have read the only one which I would question my motivation for having read would be War and Peace, and purely because I can no longer remember any of the reasons for sacrificing so much time on a book which I no longer even really remember. There must been have been some reason...
I never said I hadn't read them. I probably wouldn't have given the choice but AQA had other ideas. Of course I am only voicing an opinion, just thought it was amusing how these books seem to appeal to the sorts of folks at uni and of course, if you enjoy the books then that's cool. However, Wuthering Heights and Pride and Prejudice are really not worth the effort, cath up on some sleep instead. Or watch the X-factor. Or stare at a lightbulb.
1984 is not intellectually fascinating.
Wuthering Heights is one of my favourite novels. Therefore, I would say that it really IS worth the effort. Aren't opinions fascinating.
I just can't get enough of the irony that Dan uses his right to voice an opinion to criticise 1984.
Yeah, really ironic. Good point.
I enjoyed reading 1984. I enjoyed reading a number of the books. I read the Hobbit, Hitch Hikers etc. when I was about 10 and read all of the sequels because I enjoyed the original. I didn't read LOTR because I felt I should or had to - I read it because I enjoyed reading it.
And 'the only reason anyone would have...' is a bit ridiculous. Even if you could make the claim - and most people responding disagree with it! - you're simply arguing with the possibility of "feel you should have read" that's in the title. Not with the list itself!
My personal rule of thumb is to do everything Dan Horsfall says don't.
I can't wait to read 1984, Pride and Prejudice and Catcher in the Rye.
By all means, go nuts. Hope you enjoy them
Why is it your personal rule of thumb? Do you know me? If you do you're probably right. I am after all watching Family Guty at 12:40 and eating a Kebab. Plus my current book of choice is the 6th part of the Hitchhikers (this one is Eoin Colfer).
Pride and Prejudice is awful though.
I've read three of the books on this list - 1984, Great Expectations and The Hobbit. And I enjoyed them all. So it might be worth me checking out the other seven.
Great article, by the way.
Try Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, Anna Karenina by Tolstoy and The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandra Dumas... And all of the above are worth a good read. I really should read Moby Dick! Good article!
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