Classics > A Classics

Advantages: great read with a cup of tea and a jaffa (optional)
Disadvantages: hmm.....none

...to my mind. ANNA OF THE FIVE TOWNS - THE TITLE Anna of the five towns is the first of Arnold Bennett's 'Five Towns' novels which was published in 1902. This is the first series of stories set in the potteries which is Arnold Bennett's birthplace. It now consists of the City of Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire. The 'Five Towns' novels are; Anna of the Five Towns (1902), The Old Wives' Tale (1908) The Clayhanger Family (1925). You do not have to ...
...has his own business helps Anna to break away from her past. She escapes from her father by marrying Henry Mynor's but subsequently works hard to help Willie who is the son of a drunken and penniless business association of her father's. She then marries Henry Mynor's but realising herself that she loves Willie Price, which is too late for her to pursue. There is no hidden plot in this book. This is a book written in simplicity and in a realistic ... Read review

Advantages: Very easy to read
Disadvantages: perhaps a bit too short!

...local that he can go around the world in 80 days and he leaves the next morning! The journey across the continents is well described and although the obstacles he meets on his way are seem obvious the solutions around them are not! I was gripped by the story and my poor children 13 months and 32 months have been forced to watch Postman Pat a bit more than they would have liked!! I did manage to get to the end in two days and I thought the ending ...
...almost disappointed when the story ended. I found the book very easy to read even though we have been suffering from sleepless nights with a teething baby! It is very well written and contains a surprising amount of detail for such a short book. I would think it would be easily read by anyone over 10 . Some of it would probably be more understood by adults (a bit like the simpsons!!!!) I loved the character of Phileas Fogg, the old fashioned English ... Read review

Advantages: A really beautiful story, about Scrooge's past, present and future.
Disadvantages: A little bit boring story.

...outcome of his skinflint ways. A Christmas Carol is not so much a Christmas story but like for New Years. This story can influence us in changing ourselves, if we want this year's resolutions to actually mean something, we need to go through an Ebenezer-like process. For me the past for its lessons, search the present for its patterns, and project where those patterns will lead us in the future. And if the patterns lead to sadness, those patterns ... Read review

Advantages: Informs us about the effects of war
Disadvantages: none!

All Quiet on the Western Front was written by Erich Maria Remarque. I read this story for my A Level German Coursework, alongside the German version, I would definetly recommend you to read it. This story is about a group of school boys, who are persuaded by Kantorek, their class teacher, to go to war, and fight for Germany. Without even thinking about how their lives would be changed the schoolboys all decided to go to war, fearing that if they ...
...of the tragic deaths of all of the other soldiers, who unfortunatly lost their lives, in this book his death is not important, but it is very significant to the reader, who has experienced what he has gone through with the war and his friends. We learn that life on the front is very different to civil life, e.g. on the front the system, drill and polished buttons are important, whereas in civil life the school and thoughts are important. The soldiers ... Read review

Advantages: Everything good about Dickens' style is displayed in a challenging and consuming read.
Disadvantages: Perhaps starts a little slowly before gaining speed, very challenging in parts, but is rewarding.

A Tale of Two Cities is a well known and popular novel by Charles Dickens, typically considered among his best publications. Although this is not my personal favourite in terms of Dickens' publications it is still deserving of all 5 stars. The great thing about this book is that it is more than just a fascinating and twisting story; but also an insight into class conflicts and struggles of the French Revolution. From perhaps the most famous opening ...
...sure if I can name a more intriguing character than Madam Defarge. This can be, in parts, difficult to follow and fully understand, but throughout you can feel Dickens' genious in the putting together of this complicated masterpiece. The only disadvantage I could possibly name is that perhaps it starts a little too slowly; I certainly enjoyed the second half of the book more than the first. This is another great read for any fans of Dickens' work, ... Read review