*coughs* So, the classics!

[starrylizard]

There's something that I've been bemoaning lately. Apparently, back in high school and even in college (that's yr 11 and 12 here in Canberra), they didn't teach the same stuff in English as everyone else. Why yes, looking back through my English notes, I have waxed lyrical about The EarthSea Trilogy, learnt all about puberty via Judy Blume and even (wait for it!) written an essay about Aliens comparing the Director's cut to the screen version and discussing the subtle ways in which the movie pointed out the inhumanity of the android character found therein.

While all of these things were reasonably entertaining, I now find I have never studied Shakespeare, never picked up a Dickens or even a Jane Austen. (I did manage to get one term worth of Greek Tragedies, which was pretty darn fun!) So, now I'm thinking that perhaps I should try to fill this little void in my education.

I haven't a clue where to start though. So, please suggestions, my wonderful learned flisties! Tell me which Penguin Classic I should pick off the bookstore shelf.

I want something with a reasonably happy ending. Something not too bogged down with slow bits. You know, just for a starting point. I don't want to be put off right away.

I loved Hornblower on TV. Are the books good to read? The BBC adaptations of Jane Austen are awesome and right now I'm watching Our Mutual Friend, which appears to be very twisty-turny and fun! Don't laugh too hard, but I didn't know that was a Dickens book until it popped up in the opening titles. *doh* Oh yes!

So (*rubs hands*), please be giving insightful knowledge over now? :)

Comments

[caffienekitty]

Our Mutual Friend. Oh yes. ;-)

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is a good one, but not really happy if I remember. The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins if you like detective stories. It's considered the first English-language detective novel, and stands up pretty well, iirc. Depending on your tastes, there's Jules Verne, Arthur Conan Doyle... check online at Project Gutenberg, they may have some of the rights-expired stuff entered there. Not of Conan Doyle, though; his estate's never letting them go.

Ooo. Also Lovecraft if you're into weird, twisty, brain-screwage wrought in purple prose. It's an acquired taste though, and not much on the happy endings.

Now, Shakespeare's an odd one for reading unless you're used to reading plays. I read most of them in high school. Hamlet's always a good one (no happy endings there), 12th Night, Midsummer Night's Dream. As for film adaptations, I love Kenneth Branagh's "Much Ado About Nothing" and ooo. If you can find it (doubtful but worth a shot) there's a comedy troupe that's done "The Complete Works of Sharespeare" in... I forget. Either an hour or two. Must be seen if you can find it, it's rather obscure.

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

Oooh thank you! I'll add those to the possible list of reading materials! :)

OMG! Just finished the BBC adaption of Our Mutual Friend. It's definitely up there with the BBC versions of P&P and S&S. I was totally wibbling when I thought Eugene was dead after he and Lizzie had just declared their love. And she gets him out of the water and ... *wibble* And wow David plays such a demented bad guy. &hearts I ams so buying the DVDs the moment I find them. :)

It's definitely on the must read list now!

Oooh Arthur Conan Doyle did Sherlock Holmes. I know that one. They could be a lot of fun! Jules Verne... ooh Journey to the Center of the Earth etc. Looks like they may well be free online too. Though I'm not sure I could read a novel that way. :P

Reminds me that I have read Day of the Triffids and The Time Machine as a kid, for fun, because I found them on Dad's book shelf, so maybe I have read a few classics! \o/

I'll have a look for Kenneth Branagh's "Much Ado About Nothing". Seems you all love that one! I believe I also have an audio book of it. :)

Thank you!!!