20 best books of foreign classics

Oddly enough, but foreign classics are easier to understand than many works of Russian literature. Therefore, it is popular with readers of all ages from teenagers to the elderly. Very interesting books on a variety of topics can be found among the works of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Among foreign classics, everyone will pick up works to their liking - touching love stories for women, fantasy and adventure for teenagers, novels that touch on life and social problems for lovers of serious literature. In this rating, we have collected the best and most famous books of foreign classics.

The best books of foreign classics of the XIX century

The names of foreign classics of the nineteenth century are familiar to everyone. It is here that real gems of literature are collected, truly brilliant works that were written more than a century ago and still remain readable, are widely discussed. Acquaintance with foreign classics should begin with books of this particular category.

5 Great expectations

Money will not make a gentleman out of a commoner, the presence of money does not affect the inner content of a person. We must not forget our roots and friends. The thought of the influence of money and the environment on a person runs like a thread through the whole book. The story tells about a poor young man from a blacksmith's family, who accidentally found himself in high society, who became a prisoner of the spell of a cold beauty. Will the high hopes of the protagonist come true or will they be shattered?

The ease of narration, the plot, clear in form, the depth of thought, the sensitive penetration into the inner world of a person - all this makes the work truly brilliant.It will always be read and re-read, each time admiring the talent of a foreign classic.

4 The Picture of Dorian Grey

This novel has been filmed more than 25 times. It was read and read, discussed and discussed until now. At the time of the book's release, critics called it an immoral work, ordinary readers admired the plot and style. At different ages, it is perceived in a special way. Young people are delighted with paradoxical phrases and actions, older readers see the main character as a bastard, mired in vices. In terms of genre, the work is a mixture of an educational novel with a moral parable.

No action goes unnoticed. The worse they are, the uglier the person becomes. Only in the case of Dorian Gray, only his portrait becomes ugly and unpleasant, while he himself remains a young handsome man. The only published novel by Oscar Wilde is recommended reading for anyone who is not yet familiar with him.

3 Camo coming

One of the most famous and powerful historical novels by Henryk Sienkiewicz, which tells about Ancient Rome during the reign of the mad emperor Nero. Despite the historical genre of the work, age restrictions can be imposed on it - orgies, mass executions, lions tearing slaves apart in front of a large audience. All the events of the work revolve around one core - the tragic story of the first Christians, persecution, their torment and death.

This is a really serious, certainly talented work of the famous Polish classic, which makes you shudder, feel pain and horror from cruelty and barbarism. All this is complemented by a realistic historical setting of Ancient Rome.

2 Martin Eden

Most of those who pursue a dream face disapproval and attempts to dissuade them from their goal. Jack London's novel "Martin Eden" shows that you need to strive for what you most want to achieve in life, and you will definitely succeed. It is about a man from the bottom, who, with hard work and admiring courage, goes through the most difficult trials, but in the end makes his way to the highest society.

A long journey from a sailor to a writer, the search for oneself, the torments of creativity and the torments of love - the story captures and inspires. This work of foreign classics is loved by readers of all ages and is not in vain considered one of the best works of Jack London.

1 The man who laughs

A heavy, but interesting work that makes you shudder and makes you think about a lot. The novel takes place in England in the late seventeenth - early eighteenth century. The protagonist is a lord by birth, who was sold as a child to the bandits-komprachikos, who made him a jester with an “eternal mask of laughter” carved on his face.

Despite all the suffering he endured, despite his physical deformity, the fair jester did not lose the ability to love, he retained goodness, nobility, and the best human qualities in his soul.It is his life, his feelings that are given a central place in one of the most famous novels of Victor Hugo.

The best books of foreign classics of the XX century

Foreign literature of the recently past century is simply overflowing with bright, well-known works. Everyone knows about these books - even if someone has not read them, then, for sure, at least once heard them. Brilliant works, many of which have been repeatedly filmed, are still actively discussed. They are read, recommended and re-read again. There are a lot of worthy novels and some of them are collected in this rating.

5 Financier

The author took the story of one of the American millionaires C. Yerkes as the basis for the work. "The Financier" is the first part of the "Trilogy of Desires", which brought fame to the writer. The reader watches how from a small bank employee, the main character gradually reaches the top, earns a fabulous fortune. But he succeeds not only through hard work, but also through unscrupulousness and intrigue.

In the novel, the hero's life embodies the American dream, but it will come at a high price. An interesting story of ups and downs, changing desires and relationships, choices and their consequences - all this is described in a lively and easy-to-understand language. Therefore, it is unlikely that you will stop at the first book of the trilogy.

4 The Forsyte Saga

John Galsworthy won the Nobel Prize for his family chronicle The Forsyte Saga.The history of a family clan, three generations living in different eras, inextricably linked with them and representing typical representatives of their time - this is only the backbone of the novel. Its real content is rich, exciting and interesting. First of all, the reader will simply plunge into the most ordinary life, consisting of love and betrayal, friendship and betrayal, jealousy and hatred.

The classic was able to vividly describe the storm of emotions hidden under real English equanimity, made the reader deeply imbued with the experiences of the characters. This gave the novel a special charm and provided him with permanent popularity.

3 1984

The work belongs to the category of so-called social fiction, dystopia, but very much in this book is intertwined with real life. The novel of foreign classics not only does not lose popularity, but every year it becomes more and more famous and readable. And its name and the name of the author even became a household name for the designation of totalitarianism.

The action takes place in a totalitarian state. One of the party members is trying to resist the current government, to protect his consciousness from manipulation. But thought crime is unacceptable and punishable - the system completely subjugates a person. This novel changes the perception of many things, and it is worth reading it, if only because of its worldwide fame.

2 life on loan

Those who are familiar with the work of Remarque know that it is hardly worth hoping for a "happy ending". So it is with this book.But there is some peculiarity in it - despite all the sadness of the plot, it is surprisingly easy to read and does not leave a bitter sediment in the soul. The foreign classic managed to make a sad story about approaching death really cheerful.

There are two main characters in the novel - a young girl dying of tuberculosis, thirsty for excitement, and an aging race car driver who is so tired of life that it has become unbearable for him. The main idea is stretched through the whole story - only friendship and love remain unshakable. The book is read in one breath, you will see for yourself.

1 The Great Gatsby

This book is a symbol of the "Jazz Age" and the best work of Francis Fitzgerald. Its action takes place in America, in 1925, during the days of gangsters and Prohibition. The main storyline is a love story with a tragic ending. A bright life, the pursuit of wealth, the desire for love - all illusions are crumbling. A sad story that accurately reflects the attitude of modern people to material wealth and each other, a story about love and hope, the ability to go towards your dream.

A great work of no less great foreign classics, the pinnacle of his work and one of the greatest achievements in the world culture of the twentieth century, this book is worthy to replenish any home library.

The best books of foreign classics for women

Women's novels of foreign classics are not just easy reading, not banal love stories. Written in impeccable literary language, carrying a hidden meaning, fascinating novels - it is not easy to break away from reading them.The love story in them is associated with the tragedies of life, happiness is replaced by pain and vice versa.

5 Dear friend

The unfading glory of this novel still bears the tinge of scandal. This is a book about a soulless cynic, an ambitious gigolo who uses his good looks and the connections of wealthy married mistresses to achieve meteoric rise in high society. For him, love is not a real feeling, but a way to achieve his goals. Here, most of the heroes know how to count well and always in their favor.

The book immortalized the name of the classic in the history of world culture. An instructive story remains relevant today - there are still such heroes. If you haven't read this work yet, it's time to fill in an unforgivable gap - the book reads easily and quickly, but leaves an indelible impression.

4 Impatience of the heart

This is a novel of foreign classics, permeated with heightened loneliness, deceived trust, lack of faith in happiness. The story of the relationship between a young lieutenant of the Austrian army and a beautiful and rich girl in love with him, chained to a wheelchair. Suffering from the thirst for love, in return she receives only compassion.

Foreign classic - a real genius of the word. With amazing accuracy, he disassembles and describes the throwing of the human soul. At times in history it is not clear who is the victim and who is the executioner, who is deserving of pity and who is blamed. A series of thoughtful actions and random events, intensity of feelings, pain and suffering.The book is so strong and emotional that not a single, even the most successful film adaptation, could compare with it.

3 Pride and Prejudice

A masterpiece of English classics, written over 200 years ago, is still very popular and is often called one of the best books of foreign literature. The irony and observation of the author makes the novel not only insanely interesting, but also very easy to understand. The beginning of the story is a family with five daughters, who have practically no chance of a successful marriage.

But everyone can meet their own "Mr. Darcy", you should not judge a person by their first impression - these thoughts run through the whole book. Proud Mr. Darcy, prejudiced Elizabeth Bennet - the story of sensual and innocent love that knows no barriers gradually unfolds before the eyes of the reader.

2 gone With the Wind

The work of Margaret Mitchell can hardly be called just a women's novel. The love line in it is closely intertwined with the history of the South, the hard fate of other people. War, deprivation, survival, loss - some even compared the novel with Leo Tolstoy's "War and Peace", it was awarded the Pulitzer Prize, it was reprinted more than 70 times in the USA alone. And Margaret Mitchell herself was put on a par with the greatest foreign classics.

The film, based on the book, won eight Oscars. The book is still enthusiastically read by women all over the world, and the film is reviewed again and again.This is the story of a strong woman who never loses heart and always finds a way out, even if she has to do the wrong things.

1 Jane Eyre

One of the few romance novels included in the fund of world literature, it has been filmed countless times. But not a single film is able to fully convey the full depth of this story, its charm and impact on the female heart. Many generations have grown up on it, and this book still does not age and does not lose its attractiveness for readers. The main character of the novel is an orphan, brought up in a boarding school, who went to work as a governess in a rich estate with a very strange owner.

Jen Eyre embodies an example of a strong and proud, free, but chaste woman. And her story is unusual and full of trials. Will her life reward her suffering? Find out for yourself.

Best foreign classic books for teens

Foreign classics are attractive precisely for their versatility. Among it there are works of all genres, including fascinating stories for teenagers. However, they will be no less interesting for adults.

5 lost World

England at the beginning of the 20th century, the eccentric Professor Challenger returns from an expedition and makes a sensational statement - there is a corner on our planet that is still inhabited by giant lizards that were considered extinct.The scientific world ridicules him, but the subsequent expedition proves the veracity of his words - the lost world with prehistoric animals really exists.

Exciting adventures, surprisingly realistic descriptions of an unfamiliar world - this book will not want to put it down until the last page is read. So "Sherlock Holmes" is not the only brilliant creation of the English classic. This novel shows the reader how versatile and talented he really was.

4 Baby

Far from being known to everyone, the story of a foreign classic and creator of the best adventure books is completely in vain deprived of the attention of readers. It is strikingly different from the rest of his works, closer in genre to the sentimental prose of the nineteenth century. This is a touching story of a child, an Irish orphan boy who lost everything, but managed to remain a man.

Ireland is colorfully shown in the book, and the connecting thread between the descriptions of cities and counties is the Kid - the same child without a name. Many trials fell on his lot, not every adult would have endured so much suffering. But he managed. And how he did it, and what he had to endure, read for yourself.

3 The Chronicles of Narnia

The book was written at the beginning of the last century, the author is recognized as a classic, but it is still read by teenagers all over the world, and adults too, with rapture. The main thing that can be promised is that it will not be boring on any page. In one work, the author combined the love of fairy tales, myths, legends and memories from his own childhood.

The seven stories included in The Chronicles of Narnia are read in one breath, they open the doors to the magical world. After reading it, teenagers change their attitude to the classics, realizing that it does not have to be boring and instructive. Sometimes it's just insanely fascinating. Based on the book, a series of excellent, very colorful films were shot.

2 Tree grows in Brooklyn

Most teenagers lack purposefulness, an understanding that they need to fight for a better life. A motivational romance will show them that anything is possible if you don't lose heart and strive towards your goal. And at the same time give a real pleasure to read. The work of foreign classics of the past century tells the story of a wonderful girl and her family.

Every day she takes a new book from the library, sits on the fire balcony in the shade of a huge tree and reads it. She is undoubtedly the main character in this story, but to really understand the meaning of the book, you need to get to know all the members of the family. “A sprout breaks through concrete when it reaches for the sun” - this quote from the book has become the most famous and fully reflects its main idea.

1 Lord of the Rings

All teenagers have watched the film "The Lord of the Rings", but how many of them know that it was filmed based on the work of a foreign classic, which was written almost seventy years ago. This is one of the most iconic books of the last century - since then, in terms of style and plot, no one has been able to come close to John Tolkien. This is a prime example for children that classics can be really fun.

The author managed to create an amazing world, filled it with exciting events and unexpected plot twists. The war for the ring lasting several thousand years, the trials that fall to the lot of heroes, adventure and danger. The ring must not be allowed to fall into the hands of evil. The best way to get your teen interested in reading is to give them the Lord of the Rings book.

Popular vote - which book of foreign classics do you consider the best?
Vote!

The man who laughs

Martin Eden

Camo coming

The Picture of Dorian Grey

Great expectations

The Great Gatsby

life on loan

1984

The Forsyte Saga

Financier

Jane Eyre

gone With the Wind

Pride and Prejudice

Impatience of the heart

Dear friend

Lord of the Rings

Tree grows in Brooklyn

The Chronicles of Narnia

Baby

lost World

Total voted: 139

Vote results