10 Classic Book Recommendations

10 Classic Book Recommendations

I’ve read a lot of non-English classics over the last couple of years (all translated into English because I am not bilingual) and I thought it’d be fun to share some of my favourites!

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The Pillow Book by Sei Shōnagon (1002)

Originally written in Middle Early Japanese (translated by Meredith McKinney)

A collection of essays, anecdotes, poems, observations and musings from Sei Shōnagon’s time as court lady to Empress Consort Teishi in Heian Japan

This is one of my favourite classics because found myself relating to a woman who lived over 1,000 years ago and it was wonderful. Some things have obviously changed – we’re from different times and places – but this book reminded me of how similar we are to the people that came before us.

Bookshop.org UK*

Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne (1873)

Originally written in French (translated by William Butcher)

An adventure novel

There’s something wonderfully superficial about this book. By this, I mean that the book doesn’t look at anything in depth because Fogg is in a race against the clock and has no time to dwell upon things.

Project Gutenberg (tr. G. M. Towle) | Bookshop.org UK*

The Narrow Road to the Deep North and Other Travel Sketches by Matsuo Bashō (1702)

Originally written in Early Modern Japanese (translated by Yuasa Nobuyuki)

A travelogue interwoven with poetry

The opening lines are stunning and reading this book made me feel free in a time when everyone was restricted.

Bookshop.org UK*

Notes from a Dead House by Fyodor Dostoevsky (1862)

Originally written in Russian (translated by Richard Pevear & Larissa Volokhonsky)

Semi-autobiographical philosophical fiction

Bleak and depressing and so, so interesting. Dostoevsky gives us a real insight into what life was like in exile in Siberia.

This isn’t the translation I read but, apparently, this one is much better and I intend to pick it up myself very soon.

Bookshop.org UK*

The Odyssey by Homer (c. 8th century BCE)

Originally written in Homeric Greek/Ancient Greek (translated by Emily Wilson)

Epic poem

It follows Odysseus, king of Ithaca and Greek hero, and his journey home after the Trojan War.

I have read many a translation of the Odyssey over the years and I love (almost) all iterations of it but Emily Wilson’s translation is beautiful.

Bookshop.org UK*

Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri (1320)

Originally written in Italian (translated by C. H. Sisson)

Poetry and religious philosophy

Dante travels through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise with Virgil and Beatrice as his guides. Inferno will always be my favourite section of the poem but I really love Paradisio too.

Bookshop.org UK*

Poetic Edda (c.985)

Originally written in Old Norse (translated by Carolyne Larrington)

A collection of anonymous Old Norse narrative poems that tell mythological and historical stories.

This is the only translation I’ve read because I wanted something relatively accessible for my first foray into the Poetic Edda but I’ve also heard good things about the Hollander translation.

Bookshop.org UK*

Metamorphoses by Ovid (8 AD)

Originally written in Latin (translated by Rolfe Humphries)

A narrative poem that chronicles the history of the world from its creation to the deification of Julius Caesar. It includes various myths, such as Diana and Actaeon, Arachne, and Orpheus and Eurydice.

Although I’ve recommended the Humphries translation, you could pick up any verse translation and still enjoy it. I personally love Arthur Golding’s translation* from 1567 because it was the first direct translation from Latin to English and it’s a reflection of the poetry of its time.

Bookshop.org UK*

The Outsider by Albert Camus (1942)

Originally written in French (translated by Sandra Smith)

Also published as The Stranger in English

A philosophical novel

Camus wrote the best absurdist novels and this one is fantastic. I can’t really describe it but it had a great impact on 18-year-old me and it was my introduction to absurdism and existentialism (but don't tell Camus I described his novel as existentialist).

Bookshop.org UK*

We by Yevgeny Zamyatin (1921)

Originally written in Russian (translated by Bela Shayevich)

Dystopian novel – inspired Huxley’s Brave New World and Orwell’s 1984

The book depicts a world of harmony and conformity within a united totalitarian state. Everyone is a number and the city’s buildings are constructed almost entirely of glass. It’s such an unnerving book.

Bookshop.org UK*

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If you pick up any of these books based on this post, please let me know what you think!

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Oscars: Best picture nominations 2022

The nominations for this year's Oscars were released yesterday. What do you think? Any favourites?

The power of the dog

Nightmare Alley

Westside Story

Belfast

King Richard

Licorice Pizza

CODA

Don't look up

Dune

Drive my car

I love that play!

Cyrano De Bergerac by Edmond Rostand

Marvel Actors and the books they love

Chris Evans - Sapiens by Harari

"I’m halfway through what might be the best book I’ve ever read. Sometimes when I’m reading non-fiction I like to take notes. I’ve basically copied this entire book into my notepad. Every single page is eye-openining. Read it! It’s fantastic."

Mark Ruffalo - Citizen by Claudia Rankine

"This is a powerful book about what racism feels like. Very moving. “

Chris Hemsworth - The boy, the mole, the fox and the horse by Mackesy

Benedict Cumberbatch - Saturday by Ian McEwan

'Reading is one of the joys of life and, once you begin, you can’t stop and you’ve got so many stories to look forward to."

Scarlett Johansson- Marjorie Morningstar by Herman Wouk

“One of my mother’s favorite books. It’s such a beautiful, tragic story. Marjorie is so full of gusto and romance.”

Brie Larson - The magic mountain by Thomas Mann

Robert Downey Jr. - Don Quixote by Cervantes

"I loved the novel. I though it was brilliant, inspirational."

Elizabeth Olsen - All the light we can not see by Doerr

"Oh my god, I love it! I was on a road trip and listening to music got really boring, so I downloaded the book on tape. It's amazing."

Actors and their favourite books

Tom Hiddleston - Any human heart

Hiddleston mentioned in a tweet, that this was one of his favourite novels.

Colin Firth - The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge

"I don't think I've ever read such descriptions of what it would be like to lose your grip. He has a vision that makes you less sure of your surroundings—and I find that stimulating."

Natalie Portman - Cloud Atlas

"This was the present I gave everyone I knew for three years. It's six different stories told in different time periods and genres: One is historical fiction, another is a '70s thriller mystery, the sixth is a post¬apocalyptic story"

Daniel Radcliffe - The Master and Margarita

"It's now my favorite novel—it's just the greatest explosion of imagination, craziness, satire, humor, and heart."

Timothee Chalamet - And then the End will come

Chalamet mentioned in an interview, that he really loved this book

Morgan Freeman - The Poisonwood Bible

“Some of the best writers are women writers – Barbara Kingsolver, Joyce Carol Oates. They just don’t get enough play.”

Margot Robbie - The five poeple you meet in heaven

I love that book. It felt very different, moving and heartfelt. It made me think. It’s a quick read, it’s a good one to recommend over the holidays.”

Cate Blanchett - The true history of the Kelly Gang

"Carey is one of my favorite writers. In Kelly Gang, the narrative voice is so unique. We Australians all know about Ned Kelly, but what Carey does is get inside his character's mind in such an illuminating and heartrending way. Aand there's not a trace of sentimentality in it. I so admire that as an actor, because I realize how difficult it is to do."

Wagner

Tschaikowsky

Italian

Pappano

Kaufmann, one of my favourite singers

Callas

Pretty difficult...in lighter Repertoire Netrebko but otherwise Gheorghiu

Lieder all the way

Soprano

Tenor

Tosca but i love Manon too

Late 19 th century

I can't choose. Love them both equally

ROH

Piano :)

Tell me your answers:

1. Wagner vs Verdi 2. Tchaikovsky vs Mussorgsky 3. Italian opera vs French opera 4. Pappano vs Barenboim 5. Kaufmann vs Domingo 6. Callas vs Tebaldi 7. Gheorghiu vs Netrebko 8. Melodie vs Lieder 9. Soprano vs Mezzo 10. Tenor vs Bass 11. Tosca vs Lescaut 12. Bel Canto vs Late 19th/20th century 13. Baroque vs Classical 14. ROH vs Met 15. Forte vs piano