In today's world, fewer and fewer people are reading. Sad but true. If earlier meeting a person with a book in public transport was something in the order of things, now it is a real rarity. Gadgets are crowding out literature, leaving it somewhere in the backyards. After all, itâs much easier to turn on the toy or climb on social networks than to plunge into a complicated fantasy world. Reading has become a job, not an accessible entertainment. It is sad. After all, books form a point of view on the world, religion, politics, art, love. They allow you to broaden your horizons and gain experience on the mistakes of others, educate humanity and compassion. No computer game or facebook will give such a thing.
Therefore, to expand the boundaries of oneâs own consciousness it is necessary to read. At least world-famous works, the so-called classics, which everyone should read.
Russian literature
Not everyone can wade through the jungle of ancient Greek or Roman cultural heritage and understand the works of Socrates, Aristotle or Plutarch. Therefore, it is better to start with what is closer in mentality: books of Russian classics that everyone should read. It can be like works, known since the school curriculum, but completely differently perceived in adulthood, when no one forces you to read from under the stick. So are books recognized by modern classics.
"Eugene Onegin"
The classics that everyone should read are unthinkable without A.S. Pushkin.
First love, mental anguish, jealousy, choice - all this is on the pages of the famous novel in verse. And what used to slip away will sparkle with new colors and make you empathize with the heroes.
In addition, the novel perfectly conveys the spirit of its time and describes the realistic life of the nobility.
"Crime and Punishment"
One of the first psychological novels that enjoyed worldwide popularity, was written by Dostoevsky in 1866. This work is included in the list of "100 classic books that everyone should read."
Anyone can decide that they have the right to administer justice, but what is the price of these actions? Is this inner freedom or crime? The boundaries between evil and good are so blurred that it is easy to stumble. And the hand will be given by one who himself is considered already beyond the bounds.
"Fathers and Sons"
The classics books that everyone should read have one magnificent quality: they are still relevant, regardless of the age, because they touch upon life's problems. What worries us so far. That is why it is interesting to read.
Turgenevâs novel addresses the issue of generations: âthey are not like usâ and the desire to prove that the new is better than the old. However, the ideological struggle fades when feelings come into play. What will the protagonist choose: following ideals or loving a woman, striving to change the world and rebuild it or a quiet life in his native village? After all, maybe the ideals of the fathers are not as bad as they seem.
"The Master and Margarita"
If you are interested in more modern novels with elements of mysticism and science fiction, pay attention to Bulgakov. This is a classic that everyone should read. Everything is here: parting and meeting, atrocities and retribution, execution and resurrection. Several parallel lines, one more interesting than the other, ambiguous characters ... The novel was repeatedly filmed, theatrical productions are put on it. And disputes around the meaning and the main characters are still ongoing.
The Quiet Don
Books (classics) that everyone should read are so diverse and diverse that you can find what you like. Those who are interested in history will be interested in this work of Mikhail Sholokhov. Together with the main characters, the reader will live the First World War and the Civil War, see the events through the eyes of the participants.
âNot listedâ
There are books that everyone should read, just to appreciate what we have today and to understand at what cost this was achieved. Books about the war can hardly be called light literature, too much pain, too many deaths and tragedies.
The story of Boris Vasiliev tells of a simple Russian guy who, instead of the easy way, chose a difficult one and put civil duty to the motherland in the first place.
"We"
Now the dystopian genre has become popular, but few people remember that Russian authors have this kind of work.
However, such a work was written by Eugene Zamyatin in 1920 and still has not lost its relevance. It is also included in the list of books "a classic that everyone should read."
Thirty second century. A society with strict totalitarian control over everything and everyone. No names - numbers instead. There is no freedom of choice, even in clothes - instead of her uniform. There is no personal space. Even in your own home it is impossible to find salvation from the all-seeing eye - the glass walls do not hide anything. There should be no place for love and attachment to anything. But what if they arise? Either convey or join the opponents of the existing system. However, will a small group be able to withstand a huge and well-functioning machine?
Foreign literature
The classics books that everyone should read are not limited only to Russian literature, of course. Anyone should broaden their horizons, and for this you need to get acquainted with other cultures.
"Romeo and Juliet"
This is the classic that every man and woman should read. The story of great love, praised by Shakespeare in poetry, will make you believe in what is happening on the pages and empathize with the heroes. She is so sincere, beautiful and tragic.
The young girl and the young guy from the warring families had to hate each other a priori, but instead fell in love. Instead of obediently following parental will, they decided to go against traditions and fight for their happiness.
Dracula
The cult book of Bram Stoker has been repeatedly filmed, but nothing can overshadow the impression of the printed source.
The main character travels to Transylvania to sell the house to his client - the strange eccentric old man Dracula. Not listening to the warning of random fellow travelers, the young man finds himself in the midst of terrible events, the beginning of which he himself laid. But who could suggest that his client is the real Evil. Miraculously escaping from captivity, the young man returns home. But the nightmare does not stop even in London.
"1984"
George Orwell's work suspiciously resembles Zamyatin's book. The same atmosphere of hopelessness, the same attempts to break out of control, doomed to failure in advance.
In a world where every step of a person is known almost in advance and the future is predetermined, it is difficult to resist the system. Hard and scary. What happens to those who go against the tide? They disappear ... And then they appear with brainwashed. The main character tried to be like everyone else, allowing himself only a little bit of dissent. Maybe because he knew a little more than others. Meeting with an unusual girl completely changed his life. Introduced new colors into it, became a catalyst for many events.
"A little prince"
The list of "books - classics - which everyone should read" also includes this unusual fairy tale for adults. Saint-Exupery talks about the adventures of the Little Prince, about his acquaintance with the Earth, but at the same time he talks about more important things: love, friendship, fidelity.
"Three Musketeers"
The adventure novel of Alexander Dumas is known to many thanks to numerous adaptations. But nothing can better convey the atmosphere of medieval France than a book. On its pages beloved heroes come to life again and the details about which films are silent are revealed.
Young D'Artagnan come to Paris from the province in search of a better life and finds it, enlisting in the military service in a privileged part. And at the same time faithful friends for many years, no less faithful and treacherous enemies, and, of course, adventure.
"Over Abyss in the Rye"
Some say Salingerâs novel is related to teenage literature, but not every teenager can understand it.
The story goes on behalf of an ordinary seventeen-year-old guy Holden, a student of a closed American school. Once he was kicked out for behavior, and he had to spend several days in New York alone.
It's hard to say what this novel is about. About everything and about nothing, in particular. The hero reflects on the meaning of life, his place in it, on goals and aspirations. His thoughts are mostly depressive. However, the narrative is addictive and does not let go until the end.
For children
It makes no sense to read or give complex works to children of primary school age, as many parents like to do. It is unlikely that they will be able to understand and appreciate them. In addition, there is a lot of excellent literature designed specifically for young readers. So what are the books (classics) that every child should read?
"The Wizard of Oz"
The adventure story of little Ellie and Totoshka will not leave you indifferent. The girl, by chance in a magical land, is waiting for adventure full of dangers. The yellow brick road was not as easy as it was first seen. However, new friends will help to overcome all difficulties and find a way home.
"Adventures of Tom Sawyer"
The restless Tom brings his family some problems, so he is a restless and inventive boy. He is able to wrap even punishment in a direction favorable to himself. Tom manages to find adventures even where they could not be! But together with his faithful friend Huck, he is able to overcome any difficulties. Even bring out the terrible Indian Joe.
âThe Adventures of Dunno and His Friendsâ
In the Flower City, everyone does his own thing: Znayka invents, Vintik and Shpuntik repair, Tube draws, Dr. Pilyulkin heals ... One Dunno messes around and composes fables. But he has the most beautiful hat and tie - no one else has them. Due to carelessness of Dunno, the remaining residents of the Flower City often fall into alterations. But he is not from evil ... And he will try to correct what he has done.
For teens
The list of âbooks (classics) that every teenager should readâ includes works recognized as the âgolden fundâ of literature.
"Lord of the Flies"
Goldingâs novel should be liked by those who love books of the young edalt genre. He is one of the first books written in this direction, and his echoes can be found in many authors.
A group of boys miraculously survived in a plane crash and ended up on a desert island. At first everything was fine: the sea, palm trees, hunting, fruits, the hope of salvation, the organization of life in the image and likeness of Robinson Cruz. Two boys who want to be leaders and understand that there can only be one. From a tiny spark of hostility a whole bonfire of hatred flared up, in which any idea of ââhumanity burned out.
"Treasure Island"
Classics books that everyone should read are not necessarily boring. There is also adventure literature, which will not leave indifferent both an adult and a child.
Pirates, treasures, dangers at every turn - this was not what young Jim Hawkins was looking for , searching the guest's chest in search of money. But in addition to the sought-after youth, he finds a battered map of the island, where the location of the treasure is noted. Enlisting the help of senior comrades, he goes in search of treasures. But with them pirates go to the island ... Who will get the treasure found?
Modern classic
The classics books that everyone should read can be written not so long ago, but have already received cult status. Films are made on them, they are talked about.
"Do not let me go"
There are books (classics) that everyone should read. And this is one of them. Kazuo Ishiguro created an amazingly atmospheric work. At first itâs not entirely clear what this is about, but then itâs impossible to break away, even realizing the horror of what is happening on the pages.
These children grew up without knowing their parents, not knowing love, but convinced that they have a special destiny. They had been told about this since childhood, and they used to think of it as something ordinary, not strange and not scary.
"Chocolate"
This is a very unusual story from the English writer Joanne Harris. Mystical, beautiful, with an indescribable feeling of immersion in the Middle Ages, although the novel takes place in the early 1960s.
A new resident arrives in a small French town with her daughter. She opens a sweets shop, which she cooks herself according to old recipes. Everyone who has tried them will definitely come back for a treat, and this looks very suspicious in the eyes of a local priest. And the woman is not as simple as it seems. She and her daughter are hiding a big secret.
"Perfumer. The story of one killer "
Books (classics) that every person should read leave a lasting impression. Like the famous Perfumer, owned by Suskind.
The story of a genius who turned into a monster, wanting to create the perfect fragrance. Even if you had to commit a crime for this, the main character did not doubt a minute. What does the life of a young innocent girl mean? Nothing. She is only the desired ingredient in a complex perfume composition.
After the film adaptation came out, the book produced the effect of an exploding bomb: stun, disgust, delight. There were no indifferents.
Instead of an afterword
The books of classics that every educated person should read are difficult to put together in a list limited by any framework. There are too many worthy works, the tastes of all people are different, so you just need to read and look for your own, not limited to just âchewing gum for the brain.â Books that make you think and leave a mark on your memory are worth the time spent on them.