modern classics that are worth the read
james baldwin, clarice lispector, shirley jackson, and more
Here are some modern classics that I think are absolutely worth the read and truly deserves all the recognition.
So if you're interested in some modern classics recommendations or just looking for a place to start, I hope this list will be helpful to you.
Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin
"I scarcely know how to describe that room. It became, in a way, every room I had ever been in and every room I find myself in hereafter will remind me of Giovanni’s room."
This is a rather short novel that is below 200 pages but I was completely absorbed into the story. I love Baldwin's writing and the prose is stunning.
Giovanni's room follows a man named David who has escaped to Paris to find himself. It is a story about identity, shame, and grief for what could have been. I found David to be quite unlikable sometimes but all the characters are deeply flawed yet profoundly human.
Tragic and achingly beautiful. I need to read more of James Baldwin's other novels.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
“I am nothing in my soul if not obsessive.”
I read this a few years ago and I was completely consumed by this book the first time that I finished it. I really couldn't stop thinking about it for days.
The story is very immersive and I was hooked from the very first page. The Secret History follows our protagonist Richard as he joins a small elite group of college students who is obsessed with Ancient Greek and the classics.
This is a very popular book with very mixed reviews from people but I personally really enjoyed it and I think it deserve its modern classic status.
“Does such a thing as 'the fatal flaw,' that showy dark crack running down the middle of a life, exist outside literature? I used to think it didn't. Now I think it does. And I think that mine is this: a morbid longing for the picturesque at all costs.”
Near to the Wild Heart by Clarice Lispector
“Freedom isn't enough. What I desire doesn't have a name yet.”
I truly believe that no one can write like Clarice Lispector. Her writing is so unique and I've never read anything like it before.
Near to the wild heart is Lispector's debut novel and it centers around the life of a character named Joana through childhood and early adulthood. It's a very introspective and philosophical book and an exploration of Joana's inner life.
Another book that I loved by Lispector is Água Viva. If this is your first time reading any of her works I would really recommend starting with Near to the wild heart or Água Viva or her short stories collection.
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
“We eat the year away. We eat the spring and the summer and the fall. We wait for something to grow and then we eat it.”
If you're into horror or disturbing and bizarre stories then you have to read We Have Always Lived in the Castle. This is a haunting and gothic tale set in a secluded mansion where we follow a strange girl named Merricat and the mystery surrounding her family's dark secret.
I love the mystery and the gothic atmosphere that makes everything deeply unsettling. Truly an engrossing and unforgettable read.
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind
“He succeeded in being considered totally uninteresting. People left him alone. And that was all he wanted.”
This novel is easily one of the most captivating books I've read. It is a story about a man with an incredibly refined sense of smell and whose obsession with finding the perfect scent leads to murder.
Definitely a strange book but also thought-provoking. The story also deals with themes of social isolation and obsession. It's about the search for perfection no matter the cost.
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
“What is pertinent is the calmness of beauty, its sense of restraint. It is as though the land knows of its own beauty, its own greatness, and feels no need to shout it.”
I think you'll love this book if you enjoy melancholic and nostalgic stories. Oddly I found this to be such a comforting read. This is the first novel that I've ever read from this author so I really did not know what to expect.
The writing feels very atmospheric. It is a quiet and reflective story where we follow a butler who decides to take a few days off to travel and spend the days reminiscing about his past.
Thank you so much for reading.
With love, Darrel.
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I‘d also love to suggest The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. A terrific read!
Adding some of them to my reading list. Thank you.