My favorite classic is Catch-22. The characters and plot are so complex. At first, Yossarian seems like a "slacker." As the novel progresses, it becomes apparent that there are reasons for his behavior. In my opinion, it is a perfect novel.
I cannot think of what my favorite is right now, but I can tell you that one book that I will never forget is The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. This is the first classic that I have ever read. I was just in gradeschool when I picked it off a shelf of books on sale. I have to admit that I didn't understand much of what I read then but I did get and do remember what lesson it taught. And, wow, who knew that that will be the very same lesson that I have to remind myself of every single day.
There are so many to name. It has been awhile since I have read this book, but I would have to say To Kill A Mockingbird. I love the coming of age story line and how the characters grow throughout the book.
My favorite is Wuthering Heights. It is such a powerful story of obsessive love that consumes everything and everyone around it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grand Dame of the Land of Oz, Duchess of Fantasia, in the Kingdom of Wordsmithonia; also, Poet Laureate of the Kingdom of Wordsmithonia
I was very surprised by how much I loved Treasure Island! I was expecting it to be more of a "guy book", but it was suspenseful and exciting. A real page turner i cant recommend enough : )
This is such a difficult question to answer. A lot of people might say "Anna Karenina" or "War and Peace." I've only read "Anna" out of those two. It was very long and sometimes difficult to tackle. But it was certainly a good one. I particularly like "Wuthering Heights" and "The Great Gatsby" as well. "Lolita" was amazing. I am always amazed by the writing of Russian authors. A lesser known book by James Agee called "A Death in the Family" is also extremely well-written and thought-provoking. I tend to like books that point out our flaws and pick out certain absurdities in society. I also think I go through times of having "favorites," as it were, depending on where I'm at in life and what I happen to be reading at the time. I find I appreciate a writer's work more when I can hear discussions about it and study it with someone who will challenge me to find deeper meaning and understand the symbollism throughout the book.
My all-time favorite has to be Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. I wanted to read it before I saw the musical and I'm so glad I did! I loved how the stage version adapted the last scene with Valjean's death but all in all the stage authors did a fantastic job adapting. I finaly got to view the movie for the Count of Monte Cristo and now I want to read that as well. Heard it was excellent. Finally, I'm reading Great Expectations now and so far love it.
