In our fast moving digital world of internet and television the old fashioned book at times seems left behind. However there is so much pleasure still to be found from shutting out the world and getting lost in a good book. The very best books however have the ability to stay with us long after we have finished reading them. Here are five of my own personal favourite books which have meant so much to me over the years.
*The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde's only novel captured my imagination from the very first page and still remains one of my all time favourite reads. The novel itself possesses a haunting quality, and a sparkling prose style which in itself really drew me into the decadent nature of the story. The plot revolves around three central characters, Dorian Gray the attractive youth and the object of the portrait, Lord Henry Wotton the silver-tongued philosopher and Basil Hallward the artist. Over a conversation regarding youth, Dorian wishes for eternal youth and somehow his wish is granted, with devilish consequences. Altogether it is a truly addictive little novel.
*Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy
Hardy is a well renowned Victorian writer. Several of his books are still very much largely read today and frequently made into adaptations. I am a huge fan of a number of his works but Jude the Obscure is my particular favourite. Part of the reason why I like this tragic novel so much is that I can greatly empathise with the plight of Jude, the protagonist of the novel. Throughout the story Jude, although born to working class parents, has the burning desire to be a scholar and teaches himself Latin in order to try and gain acceptance in a world so stained with prejudice. It is also a soul destroying story of love and loss. Be warned, this is a deeply moving novel.
*Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Frankenstein is one of those works which has absorbed its way into popular culture and must have been re-worked a thousand times in all number of cheap horror movies. The quality of this book however is a sublime and all those movies do a great discredit to this beautifully written and interesting novel. Most people think of Frankenstein as a horror, which it is, but it is so much more than that. It is a work which encompasses many elements and pulls the reader into the fabric of the text and represents a read they will never forget. Superb novel.
*Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
The most modern novel to make it into my selection but still published in 1938. I love the sense of mood which this beautiful novel effortlessly captures. Set upon the Cornish coastline in the grounds of the impressive stately mansion Manderly, Charles De Winter brings his timid new wife back home having met and married her on the continent. However it is not all to be a sweet bed of roses as Manderly contains some disturbing secrets which may just threaten to overthrow their new lives altogether. Brilliant!
*Paradise Lost by John Milton
This is the most recent book which I have become deeply interested in. Epics of this nature are widely ignored and considered out of fashion to the general reading public. This is a great shame because Milton's masterpiece, if it is given a little time and perseverance to get used to the style and language, is deeply fascinating. I was introduced to reading this for my studies, despite it being on the shelf for years previously, and now it is one of those books which follows me around everywhere. This is much more than a reworded story of mankind's fall from the Garden of Eden. It is an engrossing and multi-layered work of the nature of power and war. More than that it is just an incredible read. This is Britain's greatest poetic work.
I hope that after reading about some of my favourite books you have been encouraged to read one for yourself. The great thing about good books is that you can return to the same one and it will yield more and more. Reading is fascinating because we never know what we are going to pick up next, what new book is around the corner. Reading is a truly great pastime which will improve intelligence and develop understanding of different times, cultures and places. More than that though, reading is such a fabulous pastime simply because of the burning pleasure it can give.