Classic Novels - Tumblr Posts

Jane Eyre

Dark academia

Whatever our souls are made of her and mine are the same:/

Great classic recommendations:

✨️The Picture of Dorian Gray and Wuthering Heights✨️

‘The Great Gatsby’ by F. Scott Fitzgerald [Book Review]

Rating: 5/5

Summary: The story is set in 1920′s and it is fully narrated in the first person. Nick Carraway moved in to the Long Island in hope of starting a new life. What he didn’t notice was that the mysterious, wealthy and the host of the best parties, Gatsby, is his neighbor. And one day, he received an invitation, (which is very rare as people went there without invitations) to one of Gatsby’s exclusive parties. Little by little, Nick got to know Gatsby more and he was definitely not the kind of person one presumed he was.

My Opinion: This is one of the books I will never forget. Beautifully written, this book has both luxury and romance in its best form. The story is very simple but gripping. I think, everyone should read this book as it is one of the best classics of American literature. It is humorous as much as heartbreaking. The characters are very developed and relatable. I could find similarities of those characters with the people I know. The ending of the book broke my heart, as it will break anyone’s. Still I’ll never stop recommending this book because the heartbreak is worth it.

Favourite Character: Gatsby is definitely my favourite character among all. His determination and hard work is truly inspiring. His loyalty to a friend and the sacrifice he was ready to make for a love made me fall in love with him. He deserved a lot more than this.

Favourite Quotes: “He smiled understandingly--much more than understandingly. It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life.”

A Review on ‘Dracula’ by Bram Stoker

Genre: Gothic/Adventure

Rating: 3/4

Summary: An English solicitor named Jonathan Harker visits the Castle Dracula of Transylvania, Romania, where he meets the famous Count Dracula. By the day, he becomes aware of himself being held captive in the labyrinth like castle. In the meantime, Harker’s fiancée Mina Murray grows anxious of his return while noticing some great changes in her best friend, Lucy Westenra.

My Opinion: I was very excited about this book and waited till October to get the Halloween vibes. Unfortunately my exam date was set for October and I had to sneak some time to read it. Anyway, I was able to finish reading the book and liked it. The gothic environment was evident and at times it creeped me out. The environments of the castle and the graveyard were really creepy. The fact that the whole book was written in the format of letters, diaries and journals, kept me guessing. I did not particularly like any character. I didn’t feel emotionally connected to anyone. They seem too plain. A minor character of a mental patient named Renfield was the only one I found interesting. Another problem I struggled with was that the novel was too descriptive. It took a lot of my attention and will power to go through the whole book. But overall, the story was thrilling.

Quote:  “How blessed are some people, whose lives have no fears, no dreads; to whom sleep is a blessing that comes nightly, and brings nothing but sweet dreams.”

A Review of “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen

Genre: Romance

Rate: 5/5

Summary: When Elizabeth Bennet first met Mr. Darcy, she couldn’t stand him for his pride. Neither did Mr. Darcy found her interesting enough to ask her for a dance. But many occasions brought them together again and again. At last, Mr. Darcy couldn’t help but fall in love with Elizabeth.

My Opinion: I don’t know where to begin. This novel is a classic and a masterpiece. I loved the use of satire in a most charming way possible. The first thing I noticed reading this book was that people were extremely nosy. They seemed to notice other people’s even the trifling matters of day to day life. I couldn’t help noticing how the mothers were all so anxious about their daughter’s marriage at the time. I loved Austen’s writing style very much. It was really funny and I laughed out loud at so many places (I’m even smiling to myself now thinking about some funny parts). Though it was a little draggy at the beginning, but I enjoyed almost every part of it. This book was worth all my time.

Favourite Characters: I can’t decide whom I like best among Jane, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Jane is such a sweetheart. Her values and point of views almost match mine. She is also a very responsible daughter and sister. I feel like, there is a warmth present in her which gives one comfort. Elizabeth is carefree and independent. She has a way of charming everyone and being friendly. She is very confident too. She handles her situation in a very tactful way. I specifically like the sisterly relationship between Jane and Elizabeth. My sister and I share a same kind of relationship. We too, like them, have each others confidence and shares every little thing. Now, what can I tell about Mr. Darcy! I loved him at the end as much as I hated him in the beginning. The best thing about him was that though he is proud, he learns.

Quote: “Do anything rather than marry without affection.”

Review of “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White

Genre: Children’s Classic

Rating: 5/5

Summary: A pig named Wilbur is sold to a nearby farm by his former owner, Fern, an 8 years old girl, whose father can’t afford to have a pig in the house anymore. Wilbur feels lonely and is always in search of a friend. Finally, he meets a very sweet and gentle spider named Charlotte, who accepts his friendship.

My Opinion: The friendship between Wilbur and Charlotte is one of the best friendships in literature. They both are very caring towards each other. The character of Fern is very similar to that of my little sister’s. She too, like Fern, loves all sorts of animals (even insects). Her obsession towards this, worries my mother too (just like Fern’s mother). The whole book was very heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. I have never cried, reading a book, like the way I did towards the end of this one. This book has made a special place in my heart and it has become my favourite book of all time.

Favourite Character: I love Charlotte. She has an air of warmth around her. The way she talks is very pleasant. The lullaby she sings to put Wilbur to sleep, constantly worrying about his health and reassuring him at times of insecurities, proves how loyal she is as a friend. I am scared to death of spiders. Charlotte is definitely my one and only favourite spider.

Quote: “After all, what’s a life, anyway? We’re born, we live a little while, we die.”

‘Demian’ by Hermann Hesse - Book Review

Genre: Psychological/Spiritual

Rating: 4/5

Summary: When Sinclair, as a child, first experiences the dark side of the world apart from the bright side he grew up in, he realizes there must exist a balance between the two worlds in his life.

My Opinion: This book literally got me hooked since the first chapter. The writing style is so breathtaking that I had to stop reading from time to time. The first chapter called us all out. How can we call ourselves the people of light when we sleep peacefully at night knowing that our neighbors are out there, suffering in the dark? Throughout the whole book, the aspects of the world and humans are all divided into the two worlds; that is the ‘bright world’ and the ‘dark world’. But of course, one cannot exist without the other. With this mindset, the writer had presented a beautiful coming-of-age story. Another point I noticed worth mentioning is that the learning process from one’s inner self other than what the world has to offer. This way, we can grow as a person with full freedom. Even though there were things which were a little obscure to me, I still enjoyed most of the book. It had taught me things about myself which I was too afraid to admit. Somehow, I found this book to be a life-saver. I still think it is not for everyone though. Some people might find it a little disturbing while others might fail to connect to the moral concepts of it.

Confession Time: I would have probably never read this if I didn’t know that the ‘Wings’ album of BTS was based off this book. And I’m glad that I did because it is one of my favorite albums by them. Being a person who likes to interpret double meanings and metaphors in arts, I found the references of this book throughout their music videos, short films and songs really amusing.

Characterization: I loved the characterization of Sinclair. But about Max Demian, I’m not a hundred percent sure. Sinclair is a relatable character. I, too, can relate to him in terms of his way of distinguishing the good and evil. Another thing about Sinclair I also find in myself is that he’s a bit pathetic. One way or the other, he is always clinging onto someone, be it his parents from the ‘bright world’ or his friends from the ‘dark one’. I loved the fact that when he found himself surrounded by complete despair and evil, it was love that had drawn him back into the world. I loved the author’s way of describing Max Demian, His appearance was so appealing and haunting at the same time. It totally suited the character that he represented.

Quote: “If you hate a person, you hate something in him that is part of yourself. What isn't part of ourselves doesn't disturb us.”

I could easily forgive his pride if he has not mortified mine.

Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice

The Outsiders...

Be unique and not mainstream

"Urban decacy proves a pervasive motif in 1984" you mean, the make-up brand? damn, I didn't know Winston was a drag queen

just because something is considered a classic doesn't mean it's good

Virginia Woolf’s Handwritten Suicide Note: A Painful and Poignant Farewell (1941)

Last New Year, I resolved to read some classic novels this year.

I promptly forgot about that until I was sitting in the airport to go visit my grandparents this year.

Luckily, it wasn't too late. I had plenty of books I wanted to get through, since I didn't really do any pleasure reading last semester, but when I got home from school, I got the random itch to finally read Fight Club by Chuck Palahnuik. I finished it on the flight home -- just barely making it in time for the New Year.

I highly recommend this book! Chuck Palahnuik is an absolute freak of a man with a very unique style. I love the way he develops Tyler as sort of a cult leader figure -- it's very unnerving how he makes his awful suggestions sound so appealing.

I think it was a risky move to leave the narrator completely nameless, but I think he pulled it off really well. It's easy to project onto the narrator, and as the story goes on, you see how the narrator dehumanizes himself and others (such as the Space Monkeys, who are referred to as a mass, or the Mechanic, who's a sort of prophet figure.)

I loved Marla as a character. I didn't see the twist coming. It was a quick read. Highly recommend.