The Picture of Dorian Gray is written by Oscar Wilde and was published in 1890. The novel was not well received, so Wilde revised it by writing a preface and six other chapters. Now, The Picture of Dorian Gray is a classic of gothic fiction with an accentuated Faustian theme. The novel tells the story of Dorian Gray, a beautiful and narcissistic man who is attracted by the idea of hedonism and lives his life in all kind of pleasures [ Read More ]
Published between 1860 and 1861, Great Expectations by Charles Dickens is among the most famous novels in English literature. Many times adapted for stage and screen, Great Expectations is always a delight. Plot Summary Pip is an orphan living with his cruel sister and Joe, her husband, a blacksmith. His life changes when an escaped convict threatens to kill him if he doesn`t bring him food. Pip steals food from his sister`s and helps the convict who is soon caught. [ Read More ]
One of the best English-language novels, Lord of the Flies was written by William Golding and published 1954. The novel tells the adventurous story of a group of boys blocked on a deserted island who wants to govern themselves but the results are not as expected. Plot Summary A British plane crashes and the only passengers to survive are a group of boys below the age of 13 who find themselves on a deserted island. Ralph is voted as their [ Read More ]
William Shakespeare`s powerful tragedy, Hamlet is probably the most famous play written in the English language. Hamlet is played in theatres all over the world and the story never ceases to amaze audiences by its depth, structure and numerous adaptations. Plot summary Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, sees the ghost of his father who asks for revenge. The Ghost tells Hamlet he was murdered by his brother, Claudius, who is now the King and husband of queen Gertrude, Hamlet`s mother. At [ Read More ]
The Great Gatsby was written by F. Scott Fitzgerald and first published in 1925. A literary classic, the novel is now a standard text in high school and university classes worldwide. Plot summary The action takes place in Long Island and New York from spring to autumn 1922. Young Nick Carraway moves to New York to begin a career. He rents a house in West Egg, a district of Long Island where the new rich were living. This new group [ Read More ]
One of the longest novels in world literature, In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust is famous for the notion of involuntary memory. Containing almost 1.5 million words, the remarkable book had a great influence on 20th century literature. The French author start writing it in 1909 and only death stopped him from writing, in 1922. Even if the structure was established early on, Proust added new parts in his latest years and kept on editing it for print. [ Read More ]
Written by Mark Twain and first published in 1884, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn became a classic, one of the best American literary achievement. Surrounded by controversy, the adventurous story is partially inspired by Twain`s own experience as a river-boat pilot. This novel revolutionized American literature and its value is uncontested. Still, the book was banned from schools as parents thought it corrupts young children because of the hero`s character – he curses, steals and lies. It also contains racist [ Read More ]
Alice in Wonderland was written by Lewis Carroll, the pseudonym of Reverend Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, and published in 1865. Over the years, the novel became one of the most loved and enduring children`s fantasies in English literature. In addition, it is considered a remarkable example of the literary nonsense and fantasy genre. Carroll suffered from physical deformities, partial deafness and irrepressible stammer, but he was able to create a masterpiece because of his wide imagination and his unique manner to [ Read More ]
Another classic of English literature, Wuthering Heights was written by Emily Bronte and published in 1875. Even if at first his value was not recognized, this novel transformed Emily Bronte in one of the finest writers of the 19th century, even if this is hr only novel. Mental and physical cruelty are accurately described Plot summary Wuthering Heights presents the doomed love story of fiercely passionate Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw and how their unresolved passion ends up destroying them and [ Read More ]
Lolita is a remarkable novel written by Vladimir Nabokov and published in 1955. The book gained worldwide attention and recognition because of its innovative style and controversial topic, as it regards the story of a middle-aged man who makes an obsession and gets sexually involved with a 12-year old girl. Lolita is now a classic and also one of the most controversial books of the 20th century. Because of it, the name “Lolita” is now used in pop culture to [ Read More ]
