Classic Books - Blog Posts

"Maybe there is a Beast.... Maybe It's only US."

“Hell is eternal apartness”

- Harper Lee, Go Set A Watchman

"Come away, come away!"

The example book cover for my Peter Pan and Wendy personal project.

My design for Peter's outfit here actually has elements from the stage play, because I thought the vines would make a wonderful belt and the autumn colours add a bit of pizzazz!

Some Mina and Jonathan Harker for the end of spooky season. ♥

Classics are so weird because you will be reading the most beautiful writing known to mankind, absolutely heartwrenching quotes and brilliant themes, and then you will be hit with the most VIOLENT RACISM AND SEXISM

Vector Frankenstein.

Original:

wow I’m not even a full 15 pages into The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde and I already ship Dorian x Basil wholeheartedly. I haven’t shipped anyone this fast since Larry Stylinson and Wolfstar

I do not miss childhood, but I miss the way I took pleasure in small things, even as greater things crumbled. I could not control the world I was in, could not walk away from things or people or moments that hurt, but I took joy in the things that made me happy.

-Neil Gaiman

Pc- Pinterest

Writing Embellishments?

Once you have a finished fanfiction/novel (assuming its fully edited for basic things like grammar mistakes, plot holes, POV consistency, etc.) what is the next step to making it more literary? I'm talking about extra embellishments for way beyond a first draft. Here's what I usually (try to) add:

Plot twists Uniqueness to character voices Improved description and heightened stakes

More meaningful philosophical dilemma and moral conflict

What else do you think would be a nice extra embellishment to add, assuming you had all the time in the world to do anything you wanted to make a masterpiece? Let's say you wanted to make it read like an absolute literary classic. Let's say your goal is to shock and impress people with how good it is. What are some extra amazing qualities to add in a story that would take it to another level?

If I loved you less, I would talk more about my love.

~Jane AUSTEN

Classic Book Recommendations For Each Hogwarts House

Gryffindor

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

Henry V by William Shakespeare

Beowulf

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

Profiles in Courage by John F. Kennedy

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

Histories by Herodatus

Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville

Hufflepuff

East of Eden by John Stenbeck

Othello by William Shakespeare

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare

Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse

Love In the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

White Fang by Jack London

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

Ravenclaw

Farenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri

The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

The Brief, Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz

Animal Farm by George Orwell

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

The Odyssey by Homer

Middlemarch by George Eliot

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

Slytherin

The Art of War by Sun Tzu

All the King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren

Hamlet by William Shakespeare

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

The Autumn of the Patriarch by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Dracula by Bram Stoker

"DEATH IS THE MOTHER OF BEAUTY"

- literary examples of death as tragic and beautiful in its terror

Ophelia, a beautiful, innocent girl created by Shakespeare, torn by emotions so much that in despair for her lost love, she throws herself into the arms of the river, drowning. This is clearly seen in Millais's painting. Despite her death, a young girl resists the influence of filthy water on the human body. Pale but healthy skin, rosy cheeks and pink lips desperately taking their last breath. A tragic moment captured in such a calm way. Ophelia remains forever beautiful and immortal in the eyes of the viewer.

"Perfume" by Patrick Süskind, a novel about a murderer who tries to capture the most beautiful smell. The smell of death in the form of perfume made from a young body. His victims are again little girls who die in a tragic, sometimes even parodic way, being brutally mercilessly harmed. But in the main character's eyes they still shine like stars in the sky, filling him with pure exhilaration. Especially that one woman who is his eternal inspiration.

Baudelaire creates something similar in the poem "the death of lovers". The couple on its deathbed is not concerned about the coming end. Their love seems to bloom even more, surrounded by fragrant flowers that fill their souls with peace and joy.

Finally, the story of Tristan and Isolde, another lovers, on whose grave a hawthorn grows. A symbol of their eternal love. From their dead bodies, corrupted by decay, something amazing in its beauty is created bearing witness to their everlasting connection.

It reminds me of the words of Edvard Munch: "From my rotting body, flowers shall grow and I am in them and that is eternity"

Writers, poets, whole literature itself create death in various ways. But showing it as a gateway to beauty is something particularly special. How death can it be glamorous, artistic and pleasing for our eyes. How to find it among tragedy, mourning, rotten skin and that disgusting smell of decay. And why show it this way at all?

"Because the world is so full of death and horror, I try again and again to console my heart and pick the flowers that grow in the midst of hell" - Hermann Hesse

READING DATE WITH MY BESTFRIEND

"the tired sunsets and the tired people-it takes a lifetime to die and no time at all".

–Charles Bukowski

Brightstar; John Keats

Bright star, would I were stedfast as thou art—

Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night

And watching, with eternal lids apart,

Like nature's patient, sleepless Eremite,

The moving waters at their priestlike task

Of pure ablution round earth's human shores,

Or gazing on the new soft-fallen mask

Of snow upon the mountains and the moors—

No—yet still stedfast, still unchangeable,

Pillow'd upon my fair love's ripening breast,

To feel for ever its soft fall and swell,

Awake for ever in a sweet unrest,

Still, still to hear her tender-taken breath,

And so live ever—or else swoon to death.

‘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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

“The Crucible” by Arthur Miller Review

Genre: Historical Fiction

Rating: 3/5

Summary: “The Crucible” is a play of 1953 by Arthur Miller. The story is based on the infamous ‘Salem witch trials’ which took place in the 1692-1693. A group of young women, lead by Abigail Williams, accuse the village people of witchcrafts which results in a hysteria among them.

My opinion: The writing style of this play was very neat and I enjoyed reading every minute of it. It was short but the scenes were very intense. It showed how the ‘Salem witch trials’ was unfair and how ironically they hanged the people who wouldn’t admit being a witch rather than the ones who already did.

But there is a specific problem in this play which I would like to discuss. The protagonist John Proctor was shown as a brave hero whereas the antagonist was Abigail Williams, a very young girl who was sexually exploited by her former master (John Proctor). Isn’t it misogynistic how the writer had made the real victim look like a villain and the abuser a hero? I know Abigail was twisted and what she did was not right. But it was John who made her go that way.

Another problematic thing about this was that John was expecting his wife, Elizabeth, to forgive him because he had confessed to her. But when she couldn’t, it made him angry. At the end too, Elizabeth took all the blame on her saying she was too ‘cold’ as to why John made the mistake in the first place. That was really misleading. No one should be felt that way when their partner is the one cheating.

Quote: “I speak my own sins; I cannot judge another. I have no tongue for it.”

Absent-Minded Man by Jerome K. Jerome

This is a humorous story about a man named McQuae who is inattentive to anything around him. He can’t remember invitation details, appointments and even the women he were engaged to. However, when he finally gets to marry a jolly woman named Leena, his friend, the writer thinks that it won’t last long as he will forget about her too. After a considerable time, the writer unexpectedly meets his old friend McQuae, drenched in water on a rainy day. McQuae as always informs that he has moved to the new place with Leena and has forgotten all about it. The writer very calmly takes his friend to a solicitor and finally restores him to his wife.

The story is hilarious. Some of the conversations made me laugh out loud. The first part of the story was narrated in second person, which is the rarest in English literature. This is the only story I’ve read which has this style of writing. So, I enjoyed learning something new.

I didn’t like the fact that the character of Leena was mostly in the shadow of her husband, McQuae, the protagonist of the story. Although she was explained as a cheerful woman, we don’t see her express any such action.

If I could change anything from the story I would have added more detailed information regarding Leena. So that the readers can have a clear idea of how she was able to live with a man like McQuae for so long.

Other than the aforementioned point, I found the story genuinely amusing. It shows that how absent mindedness can put someone in absurd situations. I, myself, often get distracted in many occasions. Now, I have started to focus more on my surroundings. This story has taught me a fine lesson.

I’ve actually wrote this for an assignment where I was supposed to write about a short story I liked. But unfortunately, the teacher is making us write a review on the story SHE tells us. I was so excited about this assignment in the beginning. Now, I’m devastated.

‘Wuthering Heights’ By Emily  Brontë Book Review

Genre: Gothic/Romance

Rating: 3/5

Summary: The story of Catherine Earnshaw and her foster brother, Heathcliff falling in love. But when Catherine is married to another man Heathcliff seek revenge on those he thinks are responsible.

My Opinion: I was confused throughout the whole book. Sometimes I liked it, sometimes I didn’t. The characters were hard to sympathize with. The decisions they made were crazy. Overall the whole book seemed like a mess.

Still, there were some memorable events which I can't deny that I really liked. The ending was satisfying too.

Favourite Character: Edgar Linton seemed like the only sane person in the entire book. He was a sensible person and I felt his judgements were right.

Quote: “You said I killed you--haunt me then.”

‘The Three Musketeers’ by Alexandre Dumas [Book Review]

Rating: 5/5

Genre: Adventure/Historical-Fiction

Summary: During the reign of King Louis XIII, an ambitious young man, d’Artagnan, aspiring to be one of the king’s musketeers come to Paris, where he meets the famous three musketeers; Athos, Porthos and Aramis. Along the way, they have to overcome the conspiracy of the Cardinal and his ally.

My Opinion: This classic adventure is very engaging and humorous. I usually don’t get attached with the adventure genre in books. But this one kept me entertained. This book contains such hilarious dialogues that I couldn’t help laughing out loud. The characters make very smart remarks too; which is quite impressive. The characters are varied and likeable. The protagonists as well as the antagonists are very brave in nature. The best part of this novel is a female antagonist. The concept is very unique considering the time period when it was written. At that time women were considered very delicate and soft natured. On the contrary the Lady de Winter in this novel displayed a very heinous character.

Favourite Characters: Aramis was the best musketeer in my opinion. He valued bravery as well as morality. On the other hand, the intelligence he showed at the time when needed was very admirable. I also liked the characterization of the Duke of Buckingham, though it was a minor one. His behaviour is very charming. The love he had for the queen, Anne of Austria, is very fascinating.

Quote:  “I do not cling to life sufficiently to fear death.” 

‘Great Expectations’ by Charles Dickens Book Review

Rating: 5/5

Genre: Romance/Mystery

Summary: Narrated fully in first person, the story follows a young orphan boy called Pip, who lives with his sister and her blacksmith husband, Joe. Pip has no expectation for his future but to become a blacksmith and live a common life. But when he is asked to visit a wealthy woman, Miss Havisham, to play with her daughter, Estella, Pip’s life turns upside down. By the day, Estella makes Pip feel more course and common. The only thing Pip wants now is to become a gentleman and be worthy of Estella.

My opinion: If you are a classic lover this book is a must read for you. Even if you are not, you still need to try reading this epic story. One of my favourite classics ever, ‘Great Expectation’ is Dickens’s one of the bests. The story is very intense. There are places where you cannot help but laugh, as well as places where your heart will break.

I can relate myself in a lot of way with Pip as he finds truth about himself along the story. What makes a man wants more? What is the reward in being content? These questions are beautifully answered.

More than one and a half century old, this story depicts the social situation of that time perfectly. Class discrimination is a vital part of this novel. Charles Dickens is famous for his presentation of human behaviour in an authentic way. As a result, each character is well developed and real.

Favourite character: Miss Havisham, one of the most gothic characters in literature, is my favourite person from the novel. Her appearance was very interesting. Her house were decorated like a wedding which took place a long time ago and she wore the same dress literally all the time. Not a single object was moved in her house and it looked like as if it was stuck in time forever.

Miss Havisham was a very complicated character and not without flaws, which made her more real. She was cold on the outside but I feel like there was still some warmth left in her heart somewhere.

Quote: “Throughout life, our worst weaknesses and meannesses are usually committed for the sake of the people whom we most despise.”

‘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.”

Anne Elliot

Jane Eyre escaping

Jane Eyre and Mr Rochester facial expressions.

Oliver Marks and James Farrow 𓅪

Can't stop thinking about them