Books are evergreen. Some books are even more so. Several generations have come and gone but the appeal of these books endures forever. Here's a list of ten of the most cherished books of all times.
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a perfect successor to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Mark Twain certainly advances his literary skills with Huckleberry Finn and captivates the readers with this tale of two companions Huck and Jim and their journey down the Mississippi River. Whereas the children are fascinated by Huck’s escapades, the adult readers always find a new layer of allegory or a new meaning in this social commentary.
The Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana by Vatsyayana
Written in 2 nd century BC, this classic treatise on sexual education by Maharishi Vatsyayana highlights different aspects of physical love. Kamasutra may be dedicated to erotic love, but it is much more than a sex manual. It explores the entire gamut of man-woman relationship and the sexual customs prevailing in the East in those times.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is a collection of twelve stories presented by Dr. Watson in form of a narrative. All of these twelve mysteries put to test Holmes’ intelligence, astute observation, instincts, and research skills. But as always, Sherlock Holmes is able to solve these mysteries with his unmatched detective skills.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Jane Austen’s delightful and engaging love story-Pride and Prejudice is about money and marriage. The story is set amidst the class-conscious England of the late 18th century. Rich but arrogant Mr. Darcy meets intelligent and strong-willed Elizabeth and is drawn toward her. But Elizabeth’s prejudice doesn’t allow the two to come close. Lydia’s elopement gives Darcy an opportunity to prove his worth to Elizabeth and by then she too realizes that she loves him.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer brings to mind the images of a cheeky boy Tom who is always up to some mischief, a new trick, or a new adventure. He often exasperates his Aunt Polly because of his escapades and mischievousness. The reasons for the novel’s enduring popularity are that it represents the carefree world of boyhood and it introduces Huck Finn who with the publication of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was to become the folk hero of America.
Ulysses by James Joyce
The most challenged book of the 20 th century, Ulysses was banned for a few years in United States and Britain for being obscene and blasphemous. Today it is taught in colleges and universities around the world and is admired for its audacity of modernism. It is a modernist masterpiece which successfully employs the stream of consciousness technique to heighten the drama of human thoughts, memories, and emotions.
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
This novel by Lewis Carroll is about Alice and her fantastic adventures in the Wonderland. Her adventures change her perceptions of the world, which till then, she had thought to be stable and orderly. Once you stop questioning everything about this book, you’ll start enjoying this curious tale which is full of bizarre creatures such as the White rabbit, the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, and the Queen of Hearts, among others.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
A Christmas Carol was first published on 19th December 1843 and since then has remained the most popular of Dickens’ works. Many film and musical adaptations have been made of this classic. It has immortalized the crabby and miserly character of Ebenezer Scrooge whose encounters with four ghosts teach him to be kind, forgiving, and charitable. This Christmas story captures the spirit of Christmas by sending across the message: be thankful for what you have and be more generous.
The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie
This detective fiction by Agatha Christie introduces the characters of Tommy and Tuppence, who are out of work after WWI. In an attempt to make some money, they decide to become "adventurers" and stumble on to a real mystery. It has a gripping story with well drawn characters of the two amateur adventurers.
The Time Machine by H.G. Wells
Published in 1895, The Time Machine is a masterpiece of science fiction. The protagonist-the Time Traveler finds himself in the year 802,701 AD where he encounters two opposing races- the Elois and the Morlocks which Wells feared will be the outcome of continued class-division. The Time Machine is a dystopia where the leisured and blissful Elois live on the ground and enjoy the sun, whereas the devilish Morlocks live below the ground in darkness and keep working hard so that Elois can be fed. The book is a Marxist warning of what will happen to mankind if the capitalist forces continue to exploit the working class.
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a perfect successor to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Mark Twain certainly advances his literary skills with Huckleberry Finn and captivates the readers with this tale of two companions Huck and Jim and their journey down the Mississippi River. Whereas the children are fascinated by Huck’s escapades, the adult readers always find a new layer of allegory or a new meaning in this social commentary.
The Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana by Vatsyayana
Written in 2 nd century BC, this classic treatise on sexual education by Maharishi Vatsyayana highlights different aspects of physical love. Kamasutra may be dedicated to erotic love, but it is much more than a sex manual. It explores the entire gamut of man-woman relationship and the sexual customs prevailing in the East in those times.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is a collection of twelve stories presented by Dr. Watson in form of a narrative. All of these twelve mysteries put to test Holmes’ intelligence, astute observation, instincts, and research skills. But as always, Sherlock Holmes is able to solve these mysteries with his unmatched detective skills.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Jane Austen’s delightful and engaging love story-Pride and Prejudice is about money and marriage. The story is set amidst the class-conscious England of the late 18th century. Rich but arrogant Mr. Darcy meets intelligent and strong-willed Elizabeth and is drawn toward her. But Elizabeth’s prejudice doesn’t allow the two to come close. Lydia’s elopement gives Darcy an opportunity to prove his worth to Elizabeth and by then she too realizes that she loves him.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer brings to mind the images of a cheeky boy Tom who is always up to some mischief, a new trick, or a new adventure. He often exasperates his Aunt Polly because of his escapades and mischievousness. The reasons for the novel’s enduring popularity are that it represents the carefree world of boyhood and it introduces Huck Finn who with the publication of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was to become the folk hero of America.
Ulysses by James Joyce
The most challenged book of the 20 th century, Ulysses was banned for a few years in United States and Britain for being obscene and blasphemous. Today it is taught in colleges and universities around the world and is admired for its audacity of modernism. It is a modernist masterpiece which successfully employs the stream of consciousness technique to heighten the drama of human thoughts, memories, and emotions.
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
This novel by Lewis Carroll is about Alice and her fantastic adventures in the Wonderland. Her adventures change her perceptions of the world, which till then, she had thought to be stable and orderly. Once you stop questioning everything about this book, you’ll start enjoying this curious tale which is full of bizarre creatures such as the White rabbit, the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, and the Queen of Hearts, among others.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
A Christmas Carol was first published on 19th December 1843 and since then has remained the most popular of Dickens’ works. Many film and musical adaptations have been made of this classic. It has immortalized the crabby and miserly character of Ebenezer Scrooge whose encounters with four ghosts teach him to be kind, forgiving, and charitable. This Christmas story captures the spirit of Christmas by sending across the message: be thankful for what you have and be more generous.
The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie
This detective fiction by Agatha Christie introduces the characters of Tommy and Tuppence, who are out of work after WWI. In an attempt to make some money, they decide to become "adventurers" and stumble on to a real mystery. It has a gripping story with well drawn characters of the two amateur adventurers.
The Time Machine by H.G. Wells
Published in 1895, The Time Machine is a masterpiece of science fiction. The protagonist-the Time Traveler finds himself in the year 802,701 AD where he encounters two opposing races- the Elois and the Morlocks which Wells feared will be the outcome of continued class-division. The Time Machine is a dystopia where the leisured and blissful Elois live on the ground and enjoy the sun, whereas the devilish Morlocks live below the ground in darkness and keep working hard so that Elois can be fed. The book is a Marxist warning of what will happen to mankind if the capitalist forces continue to exploit the working class.
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