Literature is an integral part of art and self-development. Each person learns through books, becomes a sensible and sensible interlocutor. If you focus on reading, the black letters on the white pages will turn into a colorful world. However, bookshelves and works by great classics can be crowded on bookshelves, so it’s sometimes difficult to find really worthwhile literature. We offer a short list of books that, in our opinion, should be read by every person who considers himself intelligent.

Content:

• 1 Homer, The Odyssey
• 2 Pushkin, “Eugene Onegin”
• 3 Dante, "The Divine Comedy"
• 4 Lermontov, “Hero of our time”
• 5 Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
• 6 Dostoevsky, “Crime and Punishment”
• 7 Wilde, "Portrait of Dorian Gray"
• 8 Jerome David Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye
• 9 Kafka, Transformation
• 10 Bram Stoker, Dracula

Homer, The Odyssey

This is the first evidence that reading is not at all boring. Opening the book of the ancient Greek poet, the reader will perfectly understand for himself what a real journey is. For ten years, Odysseus could not return to his native Ithaca, because he did not recognize the greatness of the Gods, so they taught the hero a lesson, forcing him to wander between Scylla and Charybdis, to forcefully visit the lustful goddesses and fight monsters.

Getting acquainted with such literature, a person can borrow the ingenuity and cunning of Odysseus or take an example from the faithful Penelope. Yes, in life you are unlikely to meet the Cyclops or swim past the sirens, but your imagination will erase the established boundaries. In addition, Homer uses words that can replace the stereotypical Good Morning. "Zlatotron Eos" sounds much more attractive.

Pushkin, "Eugene Onegin"

One cannot fail to read Pushkin, it is difficult to ignore him, even if you are an exceptional fan of cinema. The novel in the poems "Eugene Onegin" is a unique work to read, and not to see, which everyone is obliged to.

In the process of reading, we will see a young nobleman who has been estranged from society, suffering from an existential crisis, and his sad love story with Tatyana Larina. Many romantic stories went from Pushkin’s never-come true couple, so you should pay tribute to the great creator and devote time to this novel. The language of the work will again enrich your vocabulary with phraseological units for all occasions.

Dante, The Divine Comedy

Most mistakenly believe that the name of the poem has an exclusively religious meaning, although the word "divine" is presented here as "cool," "wonderful," "delightful." And the word "comedy" is not in the usual sense: it means that the work has a happy ending. The poem is only the author’s assumption about what Hell, Purgatory and Paradise might look like, but so believably described that contemporaries believed that Dante really went through the nine circles of Hell. "Divine Comedy" is an interesting version of the afterlife, which can be found long before the forced stay.

In addition, it is very interesting to determine which circle expects you, your friend or acquaintance. After reading Dante’s journey, you can send a person far more witty than he is you.

Lermontov, “Hero of our time”

It is not enough to get acquainted with only one "extra person". The main character of Lermontov’s novel, Pechorin, deserves special attention from the reader. Gregory cannot be considered positive characters, especially after reading all the stories about his actions. Therefore, the title of the novel is already intriguing. Grigory Alexandrovich is trying to figure out what represents the true value of life. But each time, as if finding an answer, he feels boredom and disappointment.

With this book you can talk heart to heart, delving into all the experiences of Gregory. It is written lightly and elegantly, the spirit of antiquity will not be the stale air of dusty dust. Sometimes it is very important to understand that someone else was obsessed with the same thoughts long before us.

Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

Although Shakespearean heroes are far from the only characters in romantic stories, many love couples even today are compared precisely with them. Their love is considered one of the purest, despite disapproval from families. The end of the story is rather sad, but every person needs the experience of reading Shakespeare’s tragedies. Youthful love is one of the most sincere and wonderful feelings on earth, and it is precisely its author who mixes it with the terribly suitable element - death.

The plot of the tragedy is so ingrained in the modern cultural context that not knowing it is the destiny of those who believe that Montecchi and Capulet are varieties of Italian pasta.

Dostoevsky, “Crime and Punishment”

Having discovered Dostoevsky’s philosophical novel, each person not only learns the story of Raskolnikov, but also understands, by someone else’s example, what it is like to commit a crime. The reader knows the killer from the very beginning, but the intrigue of the work is not at all in this. The author seems to reveal the inner world and the experiences of the protagonist, who deliberately goes to kill in the name of a good goal.

After reading this book, you get acquainted with unique characters and even involuntarily think about serious issues deliberately hidden in the pages. A deep religious meaning decorates the novel even more. It will be flattering to the thoughtful reader to notice how 30 rubles for virginity Sonya's eyes turn into 30 silver coins for her betrayal of herself.

Wilde, "Portrait of Dorian Gray"

First of all, this book proves that sometimes a disgusting essence is hidden behind a beautiful appearance. The main character is a young man who sold his soul to the devil for eternal youth and beauty. The true appearance of Dorian Gray is hidden in his portrait, hidden from prying eyes. Rethinking the legend of Faust, Oscar Wilde really ran into his work, becoming the defendant in the case of corruption of morals. However, everyone must know this amazing story. In addition to the fascinating plot with murders, secrets and mysticism, this is also a kind of hymn to art, which the prim contemporaries of the writer could not make out.

It is interesting that a well-known and recognized masterpiece of literature was written for a dispute in just a couple of weeks. Oscar won, becoming the most scandalous writer of his time and received a criminal record for damage to the mores and customs of the Victorian era.

Jerome David Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye

After the great classics, Salinger will seem to you the most sincere writer. The thoughts of the main character Holden Caulfield are so recognizable that it seems as if the author does not describe him, but your world in his head. The book was written on behalf of a sixteen-year-old teenager, who, by his example, gradually understands what it means to be an adult. If at first it seems to him that growing up is alcohol or cigarettes, then at the end of the novel he will still find the right answer. In addition, the work raises an important question - is it possible to remain a child in the soul, already knowing the cruel and callous world around adults?

If you are a lover of tracing the intricacies of symbolism, then the novel will not disappoint you, because Buddhist koans and biblical references lie in wait in almost every chapter.

Kafka, "Transformation"

The story of Gregor Zamza will be interesting to both lovers of great works and non-demanding readers. The entire summary can be seen in the first line of the story, but the main thing here is not so much the plot as the autobiographical motives of the writer and religious overtones. Also interesting is the metamorphosis of a loving family, which is even more terrifying than the mysterious “Transformation” itself.

The hero turns into an insect and, trying not to scare his relatives, hides in his room. Gradually, he realizes that he is a burden on his own family. The absurd situation is not described at all absurdly, which is even more striking. Of course, the reader will wait for the ending, but you need to read every word, because nothing in the story is not accidental.

Bram Stoker, Dracula

We conclude our list with a fantastic work about the main vampire, who, by the way, has his own historical prototype. Moreover, if you want to get acquainted with Gothic literature, then Dracula is an option suitable for you. Taking the words of Stoker on faith and stocking up with garlic at home, you can safely read about the adventures of Jonathan Harker and his team in the fight against the terrible creature - Count Dracula.

At the same time, you will discover many fascinating facts about the beliefs and myths related to vampires, and maybe with interest will go to Transylvania.

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