When the words “classic literature” are uttered aloud, thoughts of books like “Pride and Prejudice,” “The Great Gatsby” and “Dracula” surface. People often think of books that have maintained relevance long after their authors’ lifetimes. Do you ever wonder what reception these pieces received when they were first released? Some of these books find their fame many years later, like “The Diary of a Young Girl,” which rose to fame long after the author’s death. Have you ever found yourself wondering what modern books might soon take up the same title?
Classics, in this context, refer to books that have remained popular and revered for decades and even centuries after their initial publication. These works set the standard for quality within their respective genres, and are often studied in academic contexts.
“The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins
“The Hunger Games” depicts a dystopian world in which a nation called Panem has sprung from the ashes of what was once North America. The uber-wealthy capital of Panem is surrounded by 12 impoverished outlying districts. The disparity between the haves and the have-nots is severe. A former uprising led to the creation of The Hunger Games, a yearly culling where two children from each district between the ages of 12 and 18 are thrown into a ring to fight to the death on live TV. The novel follows Katniss Everdeen, a girl from District 12 who volunteers to compete in the games in her younger sister’s place.
“The Hunger Games” depicts a society ravaged by social injustice and economic disparity. In an educational setting, this novel can serve as a critique of social and economic oppression, and can speak to the power of collective action in opposition to said oppression. “The Hunger Games” holds the potential to be as widely utilized as “The Giver” as a tool for engaging students in literature whilst educating them on class struggle. The mass popularity it has already garnered, due in no small part to the blockbuster film franchise it inspired, serves to cement this novel’s status as a modern classic.
“The Lovely Bones” by Alice Seabold
“The Lovely Bones” follows Susie Salmon, a 14-year-old who is assaulted and murdered by her neighbor. Susie tells her story from heaven, where she struggles to adjust to her new life. She watches her family grapple with her brutal murder and attempt to continue living in light of the tragedy. As her family and friends struggle to cope with her disappearance, Susie follows her murderer as he attempts to cover his tracks.
This disturbing masterpiece tells the story of a family splintered by unspeakable tragedy through the eyes of their deceased daughter. The creative genius of this decision is what makes the story stand out from similar novels that broach the same topics. It captures the evolution of the Salmon family’s grief and somehow manages to find light in the profound darkness of their experience.
“Alone With You in the Ether” by Olivia Blake
“Alone With You in the Ether” follows two main characters, Reagan and Aldo. When they meet each other at the museum where Reagan works as a volunteer, they are immediately drawn to each other. Reagan is diagnosed with bipolar disorder and is in the process of completing court-ordered therapy sessions. Aldo is a professor and doctoral student who views her as a puzzle he wants to solve. They create a deal, a set number of questions allotted until they figure each other out, and with each revelation, they become more enamored with one another.
The two meet by chance in the museum, and the ensuing story plays with narrative structure and literary elements in a way that swallows you whole. This book is about two people who converse while the world around them disappears, and you feel yourself floating away with them. The writing style is unique—almost unhinged in the way the characters themselves are. It’s artistic in the way classical literature is, and it deserves to be dissected and revered as a modern classic in its own right.
“The Poppy War” by R.F Kuang
“The Poppy War” is a historical fiction and fantasy inspired by Chinese culture and the history of the 20th-century Sino-Japanese war. The story follows Rin, a war orphan from one of the poorest farming provinces in the South. Rin tests into a prestigious military academy, Sinegard. Being a poor, dark-skinned peasant girl from the South makes her an easy target at school. Her peers and even some of the masters of the school don’t believe people who look like her and are from where she came from deserve to be there.
Facing this opposition from every side, Rin must work twice as hard as everyone else to get even a quarter of the respect, and she soon learns of ancient shamanic powers slumbering within her. As she progresses in school, the peace of the empire is at risk, and she must consider whether using these powers to save her country is worth the consequences they demand.
Kuang has truly created a masterpiece. The sheer amount of effort written into this book is noticeable from the first chapter. The immense research and world-building flushed out so diligently throughout this book are awe-inspiring. Kuang draws on very real history, which is intertwined with myth and pulls no punches as she conjures a story dealing with war, vengeance, power and even madness.
