The classics: the greatest of all time, most well respected, shining examples of literary excellence. But which ones are really worth it? Here are four classic novels that should absolutely not be overlooked.
#1 Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe is a quaint (yet impactful) story that demonstrates the complexities of life in a southern town. The book is told between the past and present: unfulfilled housewife Evelyn Couch strikes up an unlikely friendship with nursing home resident Ninny Threadgoode, who regales Evelyn with tall tales of a small-town murder scandal in the idyllic Whistlestop, Alabama. Written in 1987, the book was ahead of its time in exploring themes of feminism, queer relationships, and racism. Don’t let the size intimidate you—it’s more than worth it.
#2 The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
Prolific writer Amy Tan released The Joy Luck Club in 1989. It’s an anthology with a single thread tying all stories together: mothers and daughters. Four sets of Chinese immigrant families experience the hardships of cultural disconnection between the Chinese-born mothers and their American-born daughters. It begins around the titular Joy Luck Club’s mahjong table and ends leaving the reader wanting to hug their own mother. It’s an incredibly powerful read.
#3 A Separate Peace by John Knowles
A Separate Peace tells the story of an isolated, all-boys boarding school cached away in the far northeast. The main character Gene Forrester forms a deep, almost romantic relationship with the cool and popular Phineas or “Finny”. Soon, however, their bond becomes strained by outside forces and internal conflicts. The characters come of age within the ivy-covered walls while WWII and the draft loom closer and closer. If you liked Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, you’ll enjoy this classic novel.
#4 The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
The Bell Jar serves almost as an initiation into “thought daughter” classic novels—and for good reason. It’s part fiction, part autobiography drawn from Plath’s life. After the main character Esther Greenwood leaves her college for the summer, her mental health begins to deteriorate. It’s a hauntingly real depiction of mental illness, and Plath’s writing style puts the reader into Esther's mind. There were many moments while reading that I was blown away at how real it all felt—like I was descending into madness along with the main character. It’s a novel that I would recommend to everyone in the right headspace to handle.
Madeline Johnson
Contributor to Project Invisible String
August 12, 2024
hard agree