Franny and Zooey, written by J.D. Salinger, offers an intimate exploration of the Glass family, concentrating on the youngest siblings, Franny and Zooey. The narrative commences with Franny meeting her boyfriend for lunch, where her peculiar behavior becomes evident: she has lost her appetite, appears distracted, and diverts their conversation towards religious topics.
Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment is widely praised in literature for its deep exploration of despair and existential dread. The novel follows Rodion Raskolnikov, a former student living in St. Petersburg, who is utterly struck by poverty and existential torment. Early in the narrative, Raskolnikov murders with the belief he is acting for the greater good.
Bram Stoker's Dracula is a Gothic horror masterpiece that has shaped vampire lore for over a century. The novel's interesting format, combining journal entries, letters, and newspaper articles, creates an immersive and suspenseful narrative. The novel begins with Jonathan Harker, a young English solicitor, traveling to Transylvania to help Count Dracula with a real estate transaction. Harker soon becomes a prisoner in Dracula's castle and discovers the Count's vampiric nature.
Frankenstein is a groundbreaking gothic novel that explores themes of ambition, responsibility, and the nature of humanity. Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist, creates a creature in a scientific experiment. Horrified by his creation, Victor abandons it. The creature, shunned by society due to its appearance, becomes bitter and seeks revenge on its creator. The story is told through many letters written by Captain Walton, who meets Victor in the Arctic and records his tale.
The Crucible is an incredible play following the Salem Witch Trials. It follows the experiences of the accused and the accusers during the trials. It draws implicit comparisons to other witchhunts seen throughout history, such as McCarthyism. Miller expertly draws these comparisons without saying anything explicitly. Characters such as Abigail, Reverend Hale, and John Proctor create an engaging cast. Anybody with a love of theater and history should read this masterpiece of a play.
Summary: Catch-22 by Joseph Heller is a satirical novel set during World War II, focusing on the absurd and paradoxical experiences of Captain John Yossarian, a U.S. bomber pilot stationed on the fictional island of Pianosa.
Little Women is a timeless classic that has been enjoyed by readers for generations. Set during the Civil War era, it follows the lives of the four sisters - Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy - as they navigate the ups and downs of growing up. Jo March, a young woman who defies societal norms with her fiery spirit and aspirations to be a writer, is the main character. Jo is instantly seen as relatable - she is stubborn yet loyal and tomboyish yet sensitive.
The Giver is set in a seemingly utopian society and the story follows 12-year-old Jonas who is selected to be the next Receiver of Memory - a role that allows him to receive the memories of the true pains and pleasures of life that have been sacrificed for the sake of his community. As Jonas receives these memories from the current Giver, the novel takes readers on a journey exploring the values of individuality, human emotion, and awareness of the past.
In this captivating & classic novel, we meet Mr. Utterson, a simple and respected lawyer who becomes very drawn into the events surrounding an evil man called Mr. Hyde. Mr. Utterson is determined to find out more about Mr. Hyde and about the many secrets his friend Dr. Jekyll has been hiding. As he learns more though, he becomes more aware of the dark connection between Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
Lord of the Flies by William Golding is a classic book with an interesting view of human nature. The story revolves around a group of British boys whose plane crashed and are stranded on a deserted island. These boys try to form their society in which one of the main characters, Ralph, is elected leader and rules using a set of rules and order. However, soon some boys become obsessed with power and hunting, leading them into savagery.
