People have been writing books for thousands of years on countless topics. Many great literature have been written in the 19th century. Here are some that I have found interesting and a worthwhile read.
- The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
This is a play written by Oscar Wilde and it is about the size of a novelette. The story is humorous, lighthearted, and witty. The two main characters, Alegernon and Jack, pretend to be the same person, Ernest Worthing. This confuses matters when they fall in love with two different women who end up thinking they are in love with the same man. The twist and turns in this story make this read worthwhile.
2. Silas Marner by George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans)
This story has heartwarming characters and deep. Silas Marner is accused of a crime and is basically thrown out of his religious community. Feeling that God has abandoned him, he moves to another place and isolates himself. He ends up finding a bit of pleasure in the pile of money he gets from working and saving meticulously…and then it’s stolen. One day, a small girl ends up wandering into his house and he decides to adopt her. The ending is both heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. If you like stories with bigger than life characters that you should read this.
3. David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
This is a classic by Charles Dickens and has some similarities to his own life. It has been a childhood favorite of mine and even an inspiration for some of my earlier writings. The story focuses on David Copperfield. He becomes an orphan and is basically abandoned by his stepfather. He ends of being raised by his aunt. The story continues through his adult life, his career, his relationships, his trials, and finally his success. I personally recommend reading the great illustrated classics version of this story.
4. The Chase of the Golden Meteorite by Jules Verne
This is a lesser known book by Jules Verne and personally my favorite. Two amateur astronomers in 19th century Virginia both spot a golden meteorite in the sky. That discovery soon sparks interests all around the world, especially when it starts to descend to the earth. The two astronomers, who at one time were good friends, become terrible rivals and the nations of the world begin to claim ownership of the golden meteorite. This is a humorous and interesting read for those who like clean novels, works of Jules Verne, and soft science fiction.
Classic Books are Still Contemporary!
Styles, clothing, technology, and other aspects of life have changed dramatically since these people published their writings. Human nature hasn’t. We basically still want and need the same things. These stories have entertained people for decades and can still entertain you. So give these books a try and you may be surprised at how these stories affect you!