Classic Literature
49 books
A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry
by Lorraine Hansberry
The Younger family, living in a cramped Chicago apartment, struggles to realize their dreams after receiving a life insurance payout. Through conflict and loss, they ultimately choose dignity and racial pride over financial compromise when moving into a white neighborhood.
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
A woman is forced to wear a scarlet letter as a mark of adultery in a strict Puritan colony. While she endures public shame with strength, her secret lover—the town's minister—is destroyed by his own hidden guilt and the vengeful pursuit of her husband.
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
A destitute student in St. Petersburg commits a calculated murder to test a theory of moral superiority, only to be consumed by psychological torment. Through a grueling battle of wits with a detective and the selfless love of a young woman, he eventually finds a path toward spiritual rebirth.
All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
by Erich Maria Remarque
A harrowing account of Paul Bäumer and his fellow German soldiers during WWI. It depicts the brutal reality of trench warfare and the profound alienation of young men betrayed by their elders' nationalism.
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
by Kurt Vonnegut
Billy Pilgrim experiences his life non-linearly, jumping between his time as a POW in Dresden, his suburban life, and an alien zoo on Tralfamadore. Through this fragmented journey, the book examines the trauma of war and the absurdity of human existence.
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
by Victor Hugo
The story follows Jean Valjean, an ex-convict seeking redemption while being pursued by the relentless Inspector Javert. Set against the turmoil of 19th-century France, it explores themes of poverty, revolution, and the triumph of the human spirit.
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
by Anne Frank
The personal account of Anne Frank, a Jewish girl hiding from the Nazis in an Amsterdam attic. It chronicles her growth from a child to a teenager amidst the terror of the Holocaust.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
by Khaled Hosseini
A haunting story of a boy from Kabul who betrays his loyal friend and spends his adult life seeking atonement. It follows his journey from Afghanistan to America and back again to rescue a lost generation.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
by Paulo Coelho
A young shepherd named Santiago travels from Spain to the Egyptian pyramids in search of a hidden treasure. Along the way, he learns to read omens and discover the 'Soul of the World,' eventually realizing that the true treasure was the wisdom gained during his journey.
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
by Zora Neale Hurston
Janie Crawford navigates three different relationships to discover her own identity and voice. After escaping stifling marriages, she finds true love and loss, ultimately achieving a state of spiritual peace and self-reliance.
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
by Margaret Atwood
Set in the theocratic Republic of Gilead, the story follows Offred, a woman forced into reproductive servitude. As she navigates a world of strict surveillance and systemic oppression, she attempts to preserve her identity and find a way to escape.
Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller
by Arthur Miller
A tragic portrait of Willy Loman, an aging salesman who collapses under the weight of his own failed ambitions and the false promise of the American Dream. The story explores the dysfunctional relationship between a father and his sons as they struggle to reconcile their identities with societal expectations.