Almost seven decades after the publication of its first volume, J.R.R. Tolkien’s foundational epic fantasy The Lord of the Rings remains incredibly influential. A success upon initial publication, it soared to cultural dominance when the counterculture of the 1960s discovered…
Vampires were already part of mythology, folklore, and literature before the publication of Bram Stoker’s Dracula in 1897. But it was the impact of this classic that immortalized the sharp-toothed, blood-drinking creatures in popular culture. Since then, they have appeared…
Although there are those who question its relevance and appropriateness in the modern classroom, Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird remains a beloved classic. The story of Tom Robinson, a Black man falsely accused of sexual assault in a small…
“To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark.” The spark Victor Hugo ignited in the literary world made him one of the greatest French writers. He was among the leaders…
Jane Austen was born in Hampshire in 1775. At age 7, she got a bad case of typhus which nearly killed her. She was home schooled after her fortunate recovery and never again lived beyond her immediate family home. She…
“It is a truth universally acknowledged” that Pride and Prejudice is one of the greatest works of English literature of all time. Though it might not be for everyone, it has never been out of print and has had an…
Virginia Woolf had long been occupying a minor spot in the modernist literary canon when her work found its way to a new audience and received much overdue recognition in the second half of the 20th century. She was…
Jack London’s 1903 novel The Call of the Wild is a staple of American literature. It’s a novel many people encounter in their youth, and it leaves a lasting impression as London explores his favorite theme: The tension between man…
Jane Eyre is a beloved classic, a curriculum staple, and an all-time favorite for many. When Book Riot conducted a survey asking people what their favorite book was, Jane Eyre came in third place. Its remarkable popularity since the time…
Ernest Hemingway is a legendary and challenging figure in modern literature. A voracious consumer of life, Hemingway idealized a hyper-masculine image of the writer-as-adventurer. He turned his travels and experiences into fiction, developing an iconic, terse writing style that cemented…