Knowledge
These are 10 English classics which every student must read
We asked students around the globe to share their favorites. Recommended by and for young people, we made a list of the 10 best English classics. Check out the list below:
It is rightly said that a book is a portal to adventure, to knowledge, or to new perspectives. What books do high school and middle school students love to read? We asked students around the globe to share their favorites. Recommended by and for young people, we made a list of the 10 best English classics. Check out the list below:
1984 by George Orwell
1984 is set in London, England where a ruling Party, lead by Big Brother, controls every aspect of its citizens and prohibits free thought and individuality. Orwell's political novel highlights the many dangers of totalitarianism and serves as a warning to nations who were still unsure as to how to deal with the rise of communism worldwide.
The Call of the Wild by Jack London
This classic, fast-paced novel—with the dog, Buck, as the central character—can be read for pure enjoyment as a story of adventure and survival; readers can also probe the text for deeper meanings about the relationships between humans and animals and between civilization and the wild.
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
When British boys are stranded on a deserted island after their plane crashes, they must learn to work together in order to survive. Unfortunately, without rules, conflicts become violent and the boys' savage and violent instincts turn them against each other. Golding uses symbols, such as the beast and the conch shell, to portray the themes of civilization vs. savagery, innate human evilness, and the loss of innocence.
The Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling
Almost 80% of the votes polled listed the Harry Potter series as one of their three favourite books. We belive this is because the complete series is amazing, lots of mystery and each book in it has an amazing plot.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens first published A Christmas Carol December 1843 and the book won instant popularity. The proliferation of film adaptations continually demonstrates the timeless appeal of this story. Its brevity and memorable characters make it a good choice to introduce young readers to Victorian fiction and to facilitate discussion of themes that transcend philosophical and religious differences. Dickens tells the story of a man transformed from cynical and mean-spirited loneliness to generosity and peace, conveying insights echoed by countless stories, poems, films, and popular adages.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice is beautifully written, witty and hilarious. Although it is percieved as a romance, and there is romance and a happy ending, the true subject of this wonderful book is human nature in all of its varieties. Even though Austen was writing about the English middle class in the Regency period, 200 years ago, her observations of her fellow humans are just as valid today as they were when the book was first published.
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Aldous Huxley's 1932 novel is next on our reading list. It is set in the future where humans are conditioned and categorized into five different social classes: Alpha, Beta, Delta, Gamma, and Epsilon. After a series of events unfold, the reader learns that the World State exists based on the belief that societal stability and happiness are more important than humanity. This is another interesting dystopian novel as it serves as a warning of the dangers of an all-powerful state, a satire for our own society, and a model of human self-delusion.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Cartoons and movies erroneously call the monster ‘Frankenstein’.Likewise, it is often portrayed as a dumb creature,bereft of independent thinking and intelligence, when it is actually a pretty intelligent being. If you think ‘Frankenstein’ is solely about the conflict between a monster and its creator, then you’re wrong. Shelley gives incredible depth to her characters,hence adding pathos to their stories. If the young reader is sharp enough, he’ll be able to unveil all the subliminal messages found in ‘Frankenstein’. No wonder that this book ranks among the best books of all time for all readers.
The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien
J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings trilogy is a genuine masterpiece. The most widely read and influential fantasy epic of all time, it is also quite simply one of the most memorable and beloved tales ever told. "The Lord of the Rings" is the third best-selling novel ever written, with over 150 million copies sold.
The BFG by Roald Dahl
The BFG (short for "Big Friendly Giant") is a 1982 children's book written by British novelist Roald Dahl and illustrated by Quentin Blake. It is an expansion of a short story from Dahl's 1975 book Danny, the Champion of the World. The BFG has been beloved by many for more than thirty years. The BFG has a charming way of speaking that mixes and muddles proper English dreadfully. The readers will thoroughly enjoy his funny words and ideas, and they will especially giggle at his “whizpopping” prowess.
These timeless stories will both broaden your understanding of the world or help you get through a sticking point in your life. It is well known tthat those who read regularly have been known to have more finely-tuned brains than those who prefer more passive activities, so anyone hoping to improve their mind both psychologically and cognitively might want to think about taking up the habit of regular reading.