Jane Eyre

With darkly gothic themes and vivid descriptions Jane Eyre is one of my favourite classic novels. As with other great literature it is worth reading it again at different stages of life. Jane Eyre is a modern woman out of time, fighting against the constraints of her class, gender and society’s expectations. With a complex love story, chilling imagery and its honest social commentary this extraordinary novel challenges the status quo of its world.

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The Shadow Of The Wind

This wonderfully eerie and gothic novel was apparently kept off the bestseller’s top spot by The Da Vinci Code. Whilst not dissimilar in genre this novel has the edge on atmosphere. Its plot centres around a young man’s quest for answers to an ever-expanding literary riddle. It also highlights Barcelona’s shadowy history and the aftermath of Franco’s tyrannical regime. Yet despite the darkness, there are moments of real humour, hope and a sense of fighting for freedom. The author’s love for his city of birth and for literature shine through and make you wish for your own Cemetery of Forgotten Books.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s

I had a lack of sympathy for Holly Golightly the first time I read Truman Capote’s novella Breakfast at Tiffany’s. In fact, she annoyed me intensely and I could hardly bear to finish her seemingly indulgent tale. However I was extremely young, naive and had yet to experience the darker side of life. Reading it again as an adult I have new responses, such as sympathy, understanding, empathy and compassion. A beautiful classic tale of a girl just trying to get by any which way. The original kookie girl with a heart of gold. So is this how literature plays out? Can we only appreciate the characters, metaphors and nuances with sufficient life experience? Its made me think about reading some other classics again as an older reader, and hopefully getting to experience them in a whole new way.