Classic Novels

I just finished "Sense and Sensibility” by Jane Austen, and day before yesterday I completed “Midnight’s Children” by Salman Rushdie. I wrote this blog to pen down few things about classics that I enjoy.

Midnight’s Children is probably a very good book, it did win loads of awards but it had so many unnecessary details, I got bored. I felt the story was actually interesting and adding the incidents from our history surely could have made it interesting. But, I can definitely say it was a chewing which was chewed so so much that I couldn’t enjoy the taste. On the other hand, I was so glad to read Jane Austen. I knew I would love Sense and Sensibility; I owe that to the writer. Pride and Prejudice being my favorite, I always am biased towards the similar novels. My second favorite is none other than “Gone with the wind” by Margaret Mitchell.

These novels, classics as I call them, based on 18^th – 19^th century have their typical style. The reason I love these writers is their way of explaining each and every expression. They make sure the reader gets the writers point. Of course a critic reader would look at other perspective and alternative explanation, but knowing what the writer had in mind is very important. “Why did so-so leave town suddenly”, “Why so-so proposed and so-so said no”, “Why she did this he did that”, all these are explained in great detail. I personally find these missing in present day writers.

I guess the second most attractive thing about theses novels is their happy ending. I love Jane Austen for her beautiful ending. There is generally a sickness sadness heart break death but always it has an awesome ending. She reminds me – the depth of sibling relationships - concern of mothers -always mothers are concerned about the daughter’s wedding (I don’t need to be reminded of that though) - the passion of love - the trust in friendship .

The ‘proud’ Darcy of “Pride and Prejudice”, not only has an effect on the ‘just’ Elizabeth, he has an influence on every reader. The ‘bold’ Scarlett of “Gone with the wind” shows the extent to which a lady can go for something she loves and her true love was “Tara” – the home plantation. The ‘tomboy’ Jo in “Little Women” tells not all ladies sit and play piano or stitch. The different stages of life of “Jane Eyre” bring surprises with every page. The thought of “Wuthering Heights” still gives me shivers and the choice of language used in the book is so perfect for ‘raw’ Heathcliff. And about my latest novel the ‘composed’ character of Elinor is marvelous in “Sense and Sensibility”. I probably have read a lot of “chicklets” (feminist novels), as a friend of mine would call them. But I guess this is the type I love.

The characters are always very clearly portrayed. The writer gives plenty of explanations. The emotions are so natural and lovely. The story is so enticing. Love is always the key. They are bound to be in my favorites.