What classic English Lit book should I read?

Question

I'm a 17 year old high school student and have to choose an English Lit book for independent study. Which book would you recommend?
-Villette by Charlotte Bronte
-Shirley by Charlotte Bronte
-Persuasion by Jane Austen
-Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

Stupid amazon.com gave away the whole ending of Tess of the d'Urbervilles, so I'm thinking I won't choose that.
Or do you have other suggestions?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Definitely Persuasion out of the four you gave.

Answer 2

Personally, I greatly prefer Austen to any of the Brontes. Although Persuasion is hardly her best work, I think everything by her is wonderful. Tess is also an excellent novel, although Hardy is by no means the nost easily readable of great novelists.

Answer 3

Hey
I'm currently reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and I'm going to read Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, and I just love her work so far. I haven't read anything by the Bronte sisters, but I plan to - I'm reading the classics - but as of now I'd recommend Austen, simply because I haven't read anything by any of the others mentioned above, and because she is an AMAZING author.

Answer 4

I liked Persuasion a lot. However, I didn't read either of the Bronte books. Avoided them like the plague in fact.

Source(s):

a voracious appetite for books.

Answer 5

Persuasion, but I'm biased. By far one of my favorite books. It's lovely.

Answer 6

Does it have to be out of those 4? Jane Austen is dreadfully boring, I tried reading Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility and just couldn't finish. I have never read Persuasion but I think it could be like that too. My friend read Tess of the d'urbervilles and seemed to like it for her English lit independent study. I also have never read Carlotte Bronte so I can't say forsrue what she is like.

If you can choose from something other, go with The Adventures of Huckelberry Finn By Mark Twain or Lolita by Vladimir Nobokov. Those are some excellent classics that kept my attention (plus there are great essay topics you can discuss in them). I was in an Advanced Placement English class and we had to do a classic independent study each year and these are 2 out of the 3 books I wrote on and I really enjoyed them. Lolita is about this pedophile and it is really interesting because you really hate him but then at times you feel sorry for him. It is a really interesting read and it gives you lots to talk about in your report/essay because of everything that happens. The Aventures of Huckleberry Finn is great because there is adventure (as said in the name) and it is very well written and has a great plot. It deals with prejudice and racism so that also gives you some great things to look into.

Answer 7

Hmmm. Well I would say Tess of the d"Ubervilles but since you already know the ending it might take away from it.

I would suggest Gone With The Wind. After you read it you HAVE to watch the movie.

It's sooo well written I fell in love with the the first paragraph in. The characters are so believable and well thought out and truly unique. The plot progressed well and the ending was absolutely true and not your typical book ending.

Overall a fantastic book to read.

Answer 8

so it has to be english lit? no american lit?.. cuz u could totally read "To Kill A Mockingbird" it's soo good.. perfect choice for school reading and teens ..
but anyway.. u should go with Jane Austin stuff.. u can never go wrong with that.. try some of her other stuff if u don't wanna read persuasion...
or Weathering Heights... but i fell asleep trying ot read that.. and i'm a book freak at that.. so lol
Sense and Sensibelity..