"Categorizing Classic" ... The Ones That I Still Need To Read!

I started this blog after I began my trek into the classics, here are some landmarks I have yet to uncover upon that old literature trail!

Article Edited: December 22nd, 2022

'My education was neglected, yet I was passionately fond of reading.' - Mary Shelley

Though I am a self-proclaimed appreciator of the classics (made obvious by the very EXISTENCE of this blog...) there are literary milestones that I have yet to reach!

Here are the "token ten" I haven't tackled yet!

War & Peace (Leo Tolstoy)

Alright... can you blame me? The shadow of this text's mere page count is notoriously scary to tackle, eventually I'll pluck up the courage but now? I am blissfully unaware of the plot contained within those 1,225 (!!!) pages!

Mrs. Dalloway (Virginia Woolf)

This one is kind of embarrassing - it feels like a prerequisite. Though I did briefly study some Woolf excerpts for university, I have not reached for this classic yet... or "To The Lighthouse" (an honourable mention for this list!)

Moby Dick (Herman Melville)

In terms of my beloved Jeopardy(!), all the average reader needs to know about this book is the opening line. However, it still appears on the most infamous lists of classic lit to read before you croak. Therefore, I'll get to it eventually!

The Catcher in the Rye (J. D. Salinger)

I'll be honest with you, the main reason I have put off this read is due to the notoriously bad reputation of Holden Caulfield (and all men who relate to him). Though I cannot speak from experience with this character, his legend status seems dubious at best - yet, for the sake of "science"... I may have to check it out and report back to you lovely folks!

Lolita (Vladimir Nabokov)

I don't think I need to explain why I have avoided this highly-controversial work. However, I will recommend another work related to the cultural impact of this novel, a memoir by Alisson Wood entitled "Being Lolita" - in this incredible memoir, she recounts the painful tale of a male authority figure using Nabokov to groom her younger self into an incredibly inappropriate, abusive relationship - highly recommend to anyone dubious about reading the original yet is interested in the effect the original text had on society!

The Count of Monte Cristo (Alexandre Dumas)

Though an avid fan of the film adaptations of this novel, I have not ventured into the original text yet! No real excuses here - this one is 100% high on my TBR (To Be Read) list when it comes to classics!

Anna Karenina (Leo Tolstoy... again)

Yet another Tolstoy on the list... the primary reason being that, after hearing a spoiler, it was less on my radar of reads. However, I very much want to watch Kiera Knightley in the very popular film adaptation... and I'm trying to hold off watching it before reading the original text! I'll update you when I do!

Invisible Man (Ralph Ellison)

I almost feel as this is a less-appreciated classic. Nevertheless, I haven't gotten around to it yet - but consider it added to the TBR!

1984 (George Orwell)

Okay, this one is definitely embarrassing for a self-labelled fan of classics. However, I really got into classics in the first waves of COVID-19 - so, the last thing I wanted in my books was a psychological trip that inspired even more doom (well, not so much doom but... harsh reality!) in my world which would be surely spurred by Orwell's infamous talent for dystopia. However, as the world slowly rebuilds itself, I may venture into 1984 soon (the novel, not the year)!

Wild Sargasso Sea (Jean Rhys)

A semi-newer addition to the list, following my love of the Michael Fassbender featured adaptation of Jane Eyre - the prequel to this infamous, yet controversial, love pairing seems like an incredible premise for a plot. A featured reader (Eric A.) on Penguin Classics' website stated that "Rhys took a character from a classic novel and breathed new life into the “madwoman in the attic” based on her own experiences/world view. She beautifully showed how the stories we read fold into our lives to make new stories." - sounds incredible, it's on the list!

I will keep you readers posted on if (more like WHEN) I tackle these...

I have a feeling that Wild Sargasso Sea is on the top of my priority list!

Wishing you the best & a Happy Pride Month!

Yours in Academia,

Alias Indiana, the Book-Built Blog.