This opening line has been living in my head rent free. I haven't read a classic novel in years, but Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier completely gripped me from start to finish. The story, the atmosphere, the way it was written-it all drew me in like nothing I've read recently. The narrative style was one of the most interesting aspects of the book. The narrator's voice feels so intimate and personal, almost like she's whispering her secrets to the reader. Her insecurities and uncertainties felt so raw and relatable, which made her journey all the more engaging. Then there's the descriptive writing. Manderley felt so vivid and alive, like a character in itself. The way du Maurier described the gardens, the sea, even the oppressive atmosphere inside the house. It all painted such a hauntingly beautiful picture. As for the ending, I'm still trying to process it. Without giving too much away, it left me feeling both satisfied and unsettled. I loved how the story came full circle, but there are so many layers to unpack about justice, revenge, and how the past can never truly be erased. Toh I was left wanting more closure. As for the destruction of Manderley, I can't stop thinking about it. Was it entirely Mrs Danvers' doing, or was there something more symbolic behind it? On one hand, it feels like an act of pure revenge from Mrs. Danvers like her final way of honoring Rebecca and destroying everything that replaced her. But on the other hand, could it also represent the complete erasure of Rebecca's legacy and the power she held over everyone?

i might just be dumb but i can’t get through to first chapter of like any book

It perpetuates absolutism ALL THE TIME, the entire regime being an obsessive viewership of one thing over and over and it's always one or another, to the extent that (ironically) it can negate and/or demean it's message and make it less depth-like which is weird, because imo more so, newer or modern literature has a lot more of an undermined feeling that goes through a lot at once which sure, because of it's undermined means it can be less profundity but at a certain point, reading the same passage about a garden starts to get quite redundant and can critically demean the books overall passage, even if done purposefully for redundancy, this routine like nature of it can sometimes makes these classical books so much less profound

(PS I know that there are exceptions and books with temporary means are confided by the past aren't so linear as one caricature, but it's just smth that I personally have found, and I want to see if some others agree, please don't hate me, I still love classical lit, just sometimes I feel it demeans the book when it is sooo confided, which I know is also hypocritical due to my categorisation)

I’ve read very little Chinese literature, and I would love some suggestions as I have no idea where to start.

For reference some of my favourite novels recently are: As I Lay Dying by Faulkner, Cane by Toomer, The Waves by Woolf, The Ice Palace by Versaas, Go and Tell it on the Mountain by Baldwin.

Also I really enjoy genre fiction (horror, scifi) provided it is well written (Shirley Jackson or John Wyndham for example) so any classics that have elements of these genres are encouraged!!!

Cheers for any suggestions.

I've finished rereading Homer's Iliad and Odyssey after a hiatus of 10 years. Read some Hesiod too. But now I want to branch out. There is so much choice however! I'm not sure I should stick with Greek, I'm wondering if something from far afield like Sanskrit literature, Chinese or Japanese literature, or Iranian might be right for me. Or maybe I should try something I know I've liked in the past, like French literature such as Balzac (I read one of his short stories when I was 17 and thought it was incredible. Don't know which one though). Or possibly some Arthurian literature, or some Latin literature - in much the same way classicists of the past would read "the matter of Britain, France and Rome" for their education. I have a copy of Bulfinch's mythology that could help with this. Or possibly I should read something more modern that might still be considered a classic (or at least having good status in literary circles) like Haruki Murakami or Michel Houellebecq. I'm really stuck for choice. I like poetry so something in verse or having really poetic language might be a good suit - so I'm leaning toward the Iranian literature idea e.g Rumi or Ferdowsi. It's outside my comfort zone at least. What do we think? What have you all read in the past that has really changed you deeply, from a place of confusion and soul searching, as I am in now? I know you can't ultimately choose for me, but I just wanted a few ideas. Thanks in advance for any responses and opinions :)

Edit: I just went back to my family's bookshelf and found the copy of Balzac's short stories (the Penguin classic) that I read when I was 17. The story I read was El Verdugo :)

Question for anyone into Canterbury Tales (or even if you’re not!): would you rather read a modern retelling of Chaucer’s tales, like Telling Tales by Patience Agbabi (slam poetry) or The Canterbury Tales: A Retelling by Peter Ackroyd (prose) or go with a translation into Modern English that keeps things closer to the original? Or go with the hardcore choice: original, Middle English?

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I was bored through most of it. I just couldn't get into it. I'd usually read another book by the same author to know if I just didn't like this one book or the author's style is not for me. However, I have a problem. It's very difficult for me to not finish a book I've started. Because what if the last twenty pages are the best thing ever written and I'll never know because I gave up halfway through? I know it makes no sense, it's just the way my mind works.

So I thought I'd ask for your opinion before I make myself go through possibly seven hundred more pages I might hate. People who've read James Joyce, what do you think? Should I read another one? If so, which one would you recommend?

I'm looking for something that retains the heart of the story (characters, language, themes, narrative arc); however, I don't feel especially compelled to read 100 pages on the Battle of Waterloo or other random tangents (unless someone can give a good argument for why they are actually necessary to the story, beyond just giving historical context).

What are your favorite abridged--but not overly abridged or too simplistic-- translations?

Any book recommendations about human vs nature/survival stories where people turn on each other?

Lord of flies and Heart of darkness come to mind. But wondering if there are any others you all might know.

Thanks!

I am interested in getting into some French classics. Preferably a page-turner.

Besides Ernest Hemingway who seems to be the most common reply to this

Might add this to the reread list, it's been awhile since I've read this book. There is now an 8 episode series on Netflix and I'm just on ep 1 but so far it's great.

Basically, looking for some guidance on which translation I should read?? Are there any other books I should read beforehand, just so that I can better understand this book??

I’m traveling to Prague, Vienna, and Budapest in the spring and I want to read some literature either based in those areas or author from there.

I want to romanticize the cities haha

Hello fellow intellectuals, I love classics but I only read in english. I feel like Im neglecting my german reading skills. Can anyone recommend any german classic that you loved reading in its original language? Looking for a rather beginner friendly work compareable to 1984 for example. Even if you read the translation from some german classic I would appreciate to her about it.

Could someone recommend a translation / edition of "The Voyage of S.t Brendan"? I have some experience reading ancient and mythic material but am by no means an expert. I'm looking for a translation that favors clarity and lyricism over rigorous accuracy. I would also be interested in hearing people's thoughts on good material to help me supplement my understanding--be it in the form of an annotated edition or some other literature / analysis. Thank you all in advance for your time and thoughts!

Dec 10th is 200th anniversary of the birth of George MacDonald the founding father of modern fantasy.

MacDonald's deep imagination and profound understanding of human nature influenced legendary authors like C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. His stories continue to inspire readers and writers worldwide.

What’s your favorite George MacDonald story or character? Let's celebrate his legacy together!

I actually cannot stand it when authors phonetically spell out an accent in writing. I am currently reading Wuthering Heights, and I have never seen it as bad as with the character of Joseph. His dialogue is actually unintelligible to me. I have no clue what niche lower-class English accent I am supposed to be doing in my head to figure out what he’s saying. I’ve honestly started just skipping over it, and I feel like I’m missing some important stuff. What am I supposed to do here?