Another challenge I really enjoyed this past year was Karen at Books and Chocolate’s Back to the Classics Challenge, so I’m signing up again for 2019. I haven’t posted my wrap-up for this year yet because I’m hoping to finish Rebecca. Presuming I finish that one, I’ll have complete all 12 categories, so I’m hoping to do the same next year.
From Books and Chocolate:
THE CATEGORIES: (My potential reads are in italics, but they’re open to change.)
1. 19th Century Classic. Bleak House by Charles Dickens
2. 20th Century Classic. The Crime at Black Dudley by Margery Allingham
3. Classic by a Woman Author. Miss Buncle’s Book by D.E. Stevenson
4. Classic in Translation. We by Yevgeny Amyatin
5. Classic Comic Novel. Something Fresh by P.G. Wodehouse
6. Classic Tragic Novel. The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad
7. Very Long Classic. The Three Musketeers by Alexandre D\umas
8. Classic Novella. Double Indemnity by James M. Cain
9. Classic From the Americas (includes the Caribbean). The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith
10. Classic From Africa, Asia, or Oceania (includes Australia). Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay
11. Classic From a Place You’ve Lived. Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson
12. Classic Play. The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wild
THE RULES:
- All books must have been written at least 50 years ago to qualify; therefore, books must have been published no later than 1969 for this challenge. The only exceptions to this rule are books published posthumously but written before 1969. Recent translations of classic novels are acceptable.
- All books must be read from January 1 through December 31, 2019. Books started before January 1 do not qualify. All reviews must be linked to this challenge by 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2019.
- The deadline to sign up for the challenge is March 1, 2019.
- Books may NOT cross over within this challenge — that is, you may not count the same book multiple times within this challenge. You MUST read a different book for each category in this challenge, or it doesn’t count.
Wow, Dorothy Sayers is certainly popular for 2019. I have one of her Wimsey novels on one of my challenge lists and I’ve seen her on so many other lists. For tragedy …. well, any Thomas Hardy novel would do but he’s depressing. Or The Picture of Dorian Gray? I was appalled by that one until about half way through and then it became one of my favourite novels.
All the best for 2019 and happy reading!
I think I might avoid Thomas Hardy. I read Dorian Gray a year or two ago and am not ready for a re-read yet. Any other ideas?
What about these: The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Tolstoy; Wuthering Heights (I wouldn’t go near it again, lol, but it might appeal to you); Frankenstein; Ethan Frome; The Great Gatsby; Anna Karenina; The Lord of the Flies; Madame Bovary; The House of Mirth (a personal favourite) …. Do any of those catch your fancy? 🙂
Thanks for the suggestions. One of these might just work.
You’re reading one of my favorites…Walden. : )
Also, I’d suggest Thomas Hardy for tragedy…but you asked for a “light” suggestion, so, steer clear of him. That’s my advice. Just saying…
Thanks for the suggestion – or suggestion to stay away from.
The Great Gatsby is tragic…and short. That’d be my suggestion. Great choices. Enjoy!
My daughter read The Great Gatsby a couple of years ago in high school. It didn’t seem like something I’d want to read, but at least it’s short. And you’re the second to suggest it. Or maybe I should just skip the tragedy category.