Classics > G Classics

Advantages: Everything that's good about Dickens' work is here, a fascinating and consuming read.
Disadvantages: None. Unless you strongly dislike Dickens' writing style I would recommend this to anyone and everyone.

Great Expectations is often considered to be Dickens' 'best' work, or at the very least amongst the best. I personally agree with this opinion, as a fan of Dickens' books, which is why I have given this product 5 stars. As with most of Dickens' work, this was originally written as a series of weekly newspaper articles. This is worth baring in mind as characters are often 're-introduced' in a sense; however, I would not consider this a shortfall ...
...this to convey additional information about the character as well as reminding the reader who the character is and where they fit in. This classic contains some of Dickens' most intriguing and fascinating charcters. Written in a semi-autobiographical style, naive orphan Pip gives an interesting insight into dark and complex characters from his innocent perspective. The story of Pip's experiences is an enjoyable and consuming read. I would strongly ... Read review

Advantages: you might decided to read the book
Disadvantages: that I might have put you off reading the book

...The novel Germinal was published in 1885, but set in around 1860, and was part of set of twenty novels which was to trace the history of a family during this great change in French history. The novel starts with the main character of the book, Etienne, looking for work, and stumbling into a mining town. Through the eyes of Etienne, we see how the miners and their families live, and their daily struggles to survive. Zola does not paint a pretty picture ...
...openly their sexual lives, which must have shocked the middle class readers of the time. The miners come over as crude, poorly educated and in many ways not much better than animals. Zola sees this as an effected of the society they live in, but also to their genetic makeup. That the new science of genetic was making a breakthrough at this time and Zola was interested in this area, and it runs throughout the novel. Just over a hundred years later, ... Read review

Advantages: Excellent story, and not sappy
Disadvantages: None

...With around 1,000 pages, Gone With the Wind is a far more multi-layered read than I'm able to portray it. It's action-packed, with a lot of non-romantic stuff going on amidst Scarlett's pining for Ashley and careless use of men for her own gain etc. The key characters are all very different people, allowing for different perspectives on events…but generally only through dialogue, as Scarlett is our protagonist [however, the book isn't written in ...
...their feelings benefit her in some way. Basically, give it a chance and I think you'll be surprised by how good it is. You learn a lot about the culture and social structure of this historical period; you get sucked into the story - whether you like Scarlett or not you'll find yourself on her side because so many of the expected niceties that she tries to discard are nonsensical and unfair. I guess there's a strong feminist aspect to this novel, ... Read review

Advantages: Touching Story, Very Absorbing
Disadvantages: Does get a little long-winded in places

A rather heartwarming and touching novel that follows the continuing adventures of the March girls, and explores the trials and tribulations of entering into womanhood. Although not always relevant to today's society and expectations, the emotions and experiences that are so vividly described are still true to a large extent. The expectations that women had to live up to, and how they were supposed to behave, helps shed light on generations past, ... Read review

Advantages: Brilliant writing and satire
Disadvantages: A bit heavy for younger readers

...unison: "Well Duh…") Gulliver's Travels is perhaps the best satirical novel ever written. The eponymous hero embarks on his chosen career as a ships' surgeon but things quickly start going wrong when a storm wrecks the ship. With no other apparent survivors, Gulliver finds himself adrift, but eventually reaches land. The land is inhabited - but the inhabitants aren't quite what you'd call human… His travels thereafter lead him from one strange group ...
...enjoyed the satirical element of Gulliver's Travels (though to me the storyline is strong enough for it to have been a good book even without the satire), but my wife just thought Gulliver was a grumpy old moaner - so I guess it's all a matter of taste. (Women in my family have always got in trouble for their literary interpretations though - apparently my mum was frowned on by her English teacher for complaining that Romeo only dumped Rosalind for ... Read review