Kathy Hamilton So, you want to know how to read classic books? Maybe you are excited to tackle classic literature but you don’t know where to start. Or perhaps you’ve tried reading classics before and don’t really get the hype. Here are some tips for enjoying classic literature that will help you get started.
As a reader, I’ve come to love reading classic books. It can be an amazing change of pace to immerse yourself in fiction that was written 100, even 200 years ago! But when it comes to reading there’s a lot of pressure in the reading community to focus on ‘serious literature’. Whether that’s modern literary fiction, or classic fiction. I hate this sentiment, reading is (or should be) a fun hobby. I believe that you should enjoy what you’re reading, whatever the genre.
That being said, I also believe that classic books can fit into the enjoyable category. These are books that have withstood the test of time for a reason. Sure, they might seem strange at first. Full of outdated language or unfamiliar settings. But the joy of reading comes in immersing yourself in new worlds and ideas. Classic books are a gateway to the past – how did people think and feel in times gone by? What did the consider important enough to commit to writing?
How to Read Classics and Actually Enjoy Them
Slow Down The Pace
The biggest difference between modern literature and classic literature is the pace. Modern reading can often feel like a sprint race. Whereas classic literature is more of a marathon! If you try to apply sprinting techniques to a long distance run you will get tired pretty quickly. Well, the same is true with reading classic books.
When I first read Middlemarch by George Elliot I tried to race through it. And Honestly? I hated it! Until I realised the problem wasn’t the book, it was the pace. Did you know that Middlemarch was originally serialised? That means its original readers had to wait weeks in for each section to be published in the newspaper. The same is true for many classic books, from Charles Dickens to Alexander Dumas.
Instead of trying to sprint through a classic, why not take your time with it. Read a chapter or two a night. Take a little while to think about what’s happening. Leave yourself on a cliff hanger chapter! Reading classic books this way can also be a lovely antidote to the rush of modern life. There’s nothing quite like curling up and reading a few chapters slowly on an evening.
Don’t Be Afraid To Look Things Up
One of the challenges when you start to read classics book is the language style. Words and phrases that are out of date or no longer relevant can make the writing feel opaque. And it’s not just the way things are written but what is being talked about. When I first read Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, I found myself distracted with questions like
What is a landaulet?
Why is everyone worried about an entailment?
It is tempting to skim over concepts that we don’t understand. Or words that we’ve never come across before. But, the key to reading classic books and enjoying them is taking time to understand them. So don’t be afraid to look things up.
- Make a Character List: Feeling like there’s too many characters to keep track of? A character list can keep who’s related to who in check. Especially handy with Russian Literature!
- Jot Down Words You Don’t Understand: Build a mini dictionary of phrases and words to look up. It can help expand your own vocabulary and also help you enjoy reading classic fiction even more.
- Look Up Dates and History: If the book is focusing on events that you’ve never heard of look them up and get a little context of what is happening.
- Check the Index or SparkNotes: Some editions of classic books have indexes. This is a goldmine for readers as it’s full of extra information about the context of book. Alternatively, resources like SparkNotes are amazing for helping you understand what’s really going on in a book.
Listen To The Audio Book
Okay, okay. I know the title of this article is how to read classic books and actually enjoy them…but hear me out. Sometimes the best way to immerse yourself in a classic book is to listen to it. Many classic books were intended to be read aloud.
Books used to be very expensive and so people shared them. This meant that a family might gather together to listen to a few chapters every night. Listening to audio books is a lovely way to continue that tradition.
There’s also something about listening to classic books that can help you understand the context far better. A good narrator can capture the tone of voice, or mood expertly. They can give a book life! One that you might have missed if it was just you and the written page.
Choose Your Poison!
Finally, the key to reading classic books and actually enjoying them is to choose one that actually appeals to you. Classic Books can get jumbled into a single genre “Classic”. But that’s really not the case. Think about what you already love reading and look for books that reflect that interest.
Maybe you love modern sci-fi? Try Frankenstein by Mary Shelly, or Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea by Jules Verne.
Perhaps you’re a fan of books like Poldark or Outlander that cover generations and involve a myriad of characters. Then, why not try a book by Anthony Trollope or George Elliot?
Finshing Thoughts
You get the picture! Remember, you should never feel pressure to read books because they’re “better” or “important”. Only you can choose which books deserve that accolade.
That being said, reading classic fiction is a great way to expand your horizons. When it comes to reading, sometimes challenging yourself is part of the fun. Hopefully next time you try to read a classic, you’ll actually enjoy it!
