For the November segment of her Classics Challenge, Katherine at November's Autumn posted a series of questions about the classics we've read over the past months. We're free to answer any or all of the questions, the first of which is, "Of all the Classics you've read this year is there an author or movement that has become your new favorite?"
It isn't really a movement, but I have had a wonderful year of reading Victorian writers, in such a rich variety. I started this challenge with Charlotte M. Yonge, whose The Heir of Redclyffe is still one of my favorite books of the year. And then I just read Mary Cholmondeley's Red Pottage, which is completely different from The Heir but an equally engrossing read. It's a shame that these authors' other works are so hard to find, at least in print. I also have to include Emily Eden's Up the Country, a collection of letters from a trip up the Ganges starting in 1837, which provide a fascinating and unique perspective on India under British rule. Reading The Mill on the Floss helped me understand why George Eliot is considered such a great writer, and it gave me confidence that I will try Middlemarch again one day.
This was also the year I read William Makepeace Thackeray's Vanity Fair for the first time. I'm only sorry I waited so long to meet the immortal Becky Sharp. And then there is my continuing love affair with Anthony Trollope's novels. Of the three I read this year, The Three Clerks is easily my favorite and one of the liveliest of his wonderful stories.
In another of her questions, Katherine asks, "From reading other participants' posts which book do you plan to read and are most intrigued by?" I was very intrigued by posts on Alexandre Dumas's The Count of Monte Cristo, which as I've mentioned is already on my TBR stacks (and weighing them down at 1243 pages, not counting notes & introduction). I also look forward to reading more of all the authors that I've included here. They have so enriched my reading this year, as have these discussions around the Challenge.
Isn't it fun to be able to speak about the characters in the classics as though they were friends you have made. Enjoyed this post. Pam
ReplyDeleteI've so enjoyed reading your Classics Challenge posts this year. I didn't know anything about Yonge until I read about her on your blog. She's an author I want to try soon.
ReplyDeletePam, it is! it's like you mentioned in your review of Middlemarch - when authors make their characters and their world so real to us. And then they stick in our memories.
ReplyDeleteAnbolyn, the prompts have been so great at highlighting different aspects of the books. I need to get back to Yonge - I even have an actual book of hers on the shelves, not just all the e-books (though I'm still hoping for the Cheddar book).
The Classics Challenge has been my favourite event of this year and I definitely look at a book I'm reading now from more perspectives than just the story.
ReplyDeleteThe first two authors you mention are not familiar to me but I'm hoping I'll find them on Gutenberg.
I really want to read some Charlotte M. Yonge - her name keeps popping up. Off to read your review of The Heir...
ReplyDeleteCat, I've loved Katherine's questions, and I'm really hoping that she will continue the challenge next year. I've found both Yonge & Cholmondeley on Gutenberg, fortunately. Lots of Yonge - she was as prolific as Trollope!
ReplyDeleteVicki, I've only read two of Yonge's many books so far, and I enjoyed both of them - The Heir more than The Daisy Chain.
My usual reading of Victorian writers went into a slump this year. I also read Heir and got off to a slow start with it but liked it rather well in the end. Aside from that, Victorian short stories and essays by Gaskell and Ruskin popped up occasionally, but that was it. Hard to remember another year with no Trollope.
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed taking part in the Classics Challenge too. Katherine is planning something slightly different for next year - a Turn of the Century Salon. The details are on her blog now.
ReplyDeleteI love Victorian novels but haven't read as many of them as I was hoping to this year. Vanity Fair, The Heir of Redclyffe and The Mill on the Floss have all been added to my list after reading your posts! And The Count of Monte Cristo is one of my favourite books - I hope you enjoy it.
Fay, I don't think I've ever read so many different Victorians before - and I didn't even count the Americans, Twain & Alcott. With all the Trollope I've collected this year, I'm set for years to come!
ReplyDeleteHelen, thank you - I'll have to take a look at Katherine's post. Your post on the Count definitely inspired me! I'm looking forward to reading it (I started it on my e-reader but decided I needed the book instead).
Lisa May: I love how you were able to find such rare Victorian works. :) I haven't read anything by those authors (except George Eliot). Although I have to admit I was torn with The Mill on the Floss. I've loved reading all of your posts for the challenge and really appreciate your participation.
ReplyDeleteI was deliberating on continuing the challenge into 2013, but as Helen's mentioned above ended up creating a slightly different idea. But I am going to have a page filled with prompts. ;)
Katherine, I've had such fun with your prompts this year. Though I've been feeling a little guilty that I didn't read the books on my original list for the challenge, when I signed up last year. But maybe some of them will qualify for the Salon - Virginia Woolf at least will. I'm looking forward to joining in the conversation. Thank you again for hosting us!
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