Classic Novels

On our shelf dedicated to this astonishing genre there are “Little Women” and “Good Wives” by Louisa May Alcott, “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë, “The Notebook” and «The Best of Me» by Nicholas Sparks and last, but not least, “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini.

“Little Women”

A sincere and touching novel about the childhood and youth of four sisters. The Civil War has begun in America, and the head of the March family has gone to the front, leaving all household responsibilities on the shoulders of his wife and daughters. The eldest sister, sixteen-year-old Margaret, is a feminine and romantic beauty with impeccable manners. Jo is a real tomboy in a skirt; she’s fifteen, climbs trees, races with her friends, skates, and can even get into a fight. Thirteen-year-old Beth is a shy and timid girl with the kindest heart, a pure angel and the family’s favorite. The youngest is twelve — Amy’s positive and negative traits are closely intertwined, balanced in a very fragile harmony. The sisters are so different, so unique. But together they cope with difficulties, experience sorrows and joys, dream of the future, and go through the challenging path of growing up.

How Can I not discuss this brilliant novel with you? Four sisters are so different, so mature for their age and so ambitious. Although people are used to calling Jo an ambitious person as I assume, however, all of them are. Undoubtedly, the movie is incredibly good, although, book can be even better with its clearly visible character development and third-person omniscient view that helps us to hear the thoughts of main characters.

10/10

“Good Wives”

«An old friend is better than two new ones. With the last page of *Little Women*, the story of the March family didn’t end. Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy have blossomed and turned from ‘little’ women into grown young ladies. They are about to fly out of the family nest and choose their life paths. Some will search for their happiness, while others — for themselves. They are in for new responsibilities, joyful moments, romantic encounters, and the bitterness of loss. The castles in the air, built in childhood, begin to crumble. The adult world prepares new challenges. However, the sisters are not ready to lose hope for the best. Will they become good wives, as the title of the book promises?

As a lot of fans of Louisa May Alcott`s novel, I consider certain love interest unsuitable for one of the sisters. Thus, it was a bit disappointing to find out that the obvious and perfect choice from the first book becomes undesirable in the second.

Also, the general atmosphere is darker and more serious: adult problems, life dissatisfaction, ruined expectations. These situations resonate with thousands of people all around the world, but for some readers they might seem depressing.

8/10

“Jane Ayre”

A love that is beyond the control of time, circumstances, or the blows of fate. If life is not kind to you, is it still possible to expect happiness? The childhood and youth of Jane Eyre, a pupil at a boarding school for poor girls, were joyless. She is forced to earn her own living, and it seems that fate is not kind to her at all.

Everything changes when she gets a job as a governess at the estate of the mysterious Mr. Rochester. Great Love enters her life. But will it save her or destroy her? The heroine must learn to make difficult decisions and face a challenging choice between emotion and duty, heart and mind, self-sacrifice and life. Will there be a happy ending to this piercing story?

No matter what happens, her faith in love and compassion, in people and justice, in human dignity and strength of spirit will help the heroine endure all trials with honor.

I believe that Charlotte Bronte`s “Jane Ayre” is engaging from cover to cover. The heartbreaking experience she has gone through was terrifying to read. I have been desperately waiting for the moment when happiness that heroine deserves will, eventually, find her. Her passion, bravery and stamina will always serve as my inspiration.

10/10

“The Kite Runner”

This is a striking story about childhood, friendship, betrayal, guilt, and redemption. Amir and Hassan were separated by a chasm. One belonged to the local aristocracy, the other to a despised minority. One had a father who was handsome and important, while the other’s father was crippled and pitiful. Their story unfolds against the backdrop of Kabul’s idyllic setting, soon to be overtaken by fierce storms that will sweep the boys in different directions, like two kites. Each has his own fate and tragedy, yet they remain bound by the strongest of ties.

WARNING! “Kite Runner” contains descriptions of physical violence, traumas, blood. Please, be careful while reading it if you do so.

Having never known who was Khaled Hosseini before, I was shocked during reading and after reading the book. It, obviously, discusses politics, injustice and a lot of battles. Battles of main character and his friend, main character`s own personal and moral battles felt extremely real. This novel will certainly leave a thought –provoking residue. Although, it seemed a little too violet for me.

10/10

“Notebook”

A touching love story read by an elderly man from an old notebook to a woman in a nursing home. It’s a story of a relationship between a young man and a girl from different social classes who lived in North Carolina. Noah and Allie spent an unforgettable summer together until they were first separated by their parents and then by World War II.

Well, well, well, having never heard of the film before, I absent-mindedly purchased my second book of Sparks` back in October 2021. No one warned me about the heaviness of this BREATHTAKINGLY BEATIFUL AND SOUL-DESTROYING romance. It took me several days to recover. As an empathetic person I would recommend you to be careful, and to turn your ready-to-everything mode on in order to have a faster recovery if you haven’t read or watched “Notebook” yet.

11/10

“The Best of Me”

Everyone wants to believe that true love is immortal. Everyone hopes that a genuine feeling can endure through years and trials… Dawson Cole and the school’s most beautiful girl, Amanda, fell in love, but life separated them. Many years have passed. Amanda is now someone else’s wife, with a family, a home, and children… But fate brings her back to her hometown and gives her a new chance to meet Dawson. Their love rekindles, and both Amanda and Dawson realize that their separation was a tragic mistake. Could this be their chance to start over? Or does fate have other plans?

This one is a must read for all romance lovers! The general vibe and this path from young love to older affection was on point. Dawson is a bachelor with no children, but Amanda is already married and she obtained a family. This situation is much more than just complicated. Nowadays teenage and young adult novels are everywhere, thus, I would recommend “The Best of Me” to experience something completely different from what we are used to.

9/10

So-o-o, how was it? It has been exciting to recall the old impressions of the books that are really special to me.

See you really-really soon!