Five classic novels to see you through social distancing

Now’s the perfect time to settle in with one of the greats…

If you are at a loss for something to do while we take the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of Covid-19, why not pick up some of those classic novels you’ve never got around to reading

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Here’s our pick of five literary classics guaranteed to be a good read. Bonus: you can order them online from Magrudy’s and Kinokuniya in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, so you don’t even need to leave your couch.

Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen

In many ways, this book defined the modern novel – it is considered one of the most sharply written books ever and the language is renowned for its wit and potency. The novel tells the story of the Bennet sisters, five young girls and the adventures that life takes them on as they discover that love is rarely straightforward and often surprising. The love between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet has become a relationship archetype in English literature, and this theme of ‘hate until love is realised’ is replicated in many other stories, such as Bridget Jones. Definitely worth a read and there are many movie adaptations to accompany it.

The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald

Widely considered as the greatest American novel ever written, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is an absolute must-read. Set in the roaring 1920s in America, it follows the characters Nick Caraway, Daisy Buchanan, Tom Buchanan and Jay Gatsby in the ostentatiously wild lives of the wealthy. It is a devastating expose of the ‘Jazz Age’, brilliantly capturing the flaws and insincerity of the American Dream through its captivating storyline, while detailing the moral failure of a society obsessed with wealth and social standing.

The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini

This coming-of-age story based in Afghanistan and America is loved for its story and its ability to truly makes the reader think. Afghani immigrant Amir is summoned from his California home to Pakistan by Rahim Khan, an old, dying friend of his father. As a boy in Afghanistan, Amir’s best friend Hassan was brutally assaulted by a local bully, and because he was too scared to save him he has been tormented by guilt ever since. Often described to be like ‘watching a movie’, this book is a must read and those who saw the recent stage adaptation at the Dubai Opera house will love it.

1984, George Orwell

In this novel, George Orwell projects his terrifying vision of a totalitarian future and a dysfunctional dystopian society where everyone’s every move is watched by the ominous Big Brother. It follows the life of Winston Smith, who is frustrated by his lack of freedom in his life and begins a subtle rebellion against the party. The truly fascinating part of this novel is that the society described is entirely feasible with today’s technology. Orwell’s novella is a warning for the human race and a classic in dystopian fiction.

Little Women, Louisa May Alcott

Generations of readers young and old, male and female, have fallen in love with the March sisters of Louisa May Alcott’s most popular and enduring novel, Little Women. Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy March live with their mother in New England while their father is away serving as a chaplain in the Civil War. The sisters struggle to support themselves and keep their household running as the family recently lost its fortune. As the girls grow older, each faces her own personal demons and moral challenges. The novel explores timeless themes and has long been considered one of the most powerful feminist novels. It even has a new film adaptation out by Greta Gerwig to accompany it.

Words: Jessica Cullen