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For this edition of Treasures on the Shelves, let’s talk about the classics. We all remember reading the classics as part of our high school English classes. For most of us, having to read an old book, usually with a dry or cumbersome plot, was a dreaded assignment to be gotten through as quickly as possible. However, as adults, it can be interesting and enlightening to read, or reread, some of the books we avoided or thought we hated in our youth. In addition to the original stories, these days we also have retellings, which are new takes on those classic tales.

“Moby Dick” by Herman Melville, originally published in 1851 as “The Whale,” has been a standard offering in upper school and college curriculums for decades. Whether you loved it, hated it, or have never read it (I confess I’m part of that group!), it’s hard to miss the impact the novel has had on history and culture. Themes of obsession, man vs. nature and adventure on the high seas have drawn readers to this story. 

Several modern books have used the plot to examine the story from different angles with “Ahab’s Wife” by Sena Jeter Naslund being one of the best.  The novel is centered on Una, the titular character who must create a life for herself while her husband is at sea. This book is rich in details and characters from 19th century New England, from astronomer Maria Mitchell to author Nathaniel Hawthorne, while Una herself is a fascinating character, torn between her love for her husband and her fear of his deteriorating mental state.

More classics for Treasures on the Shelves

Published in 1925, “The Great Gatsby” captivated the public imagination. Whether from its cultural depiction of the 1920’s or the enduring themes of money, power and reinvention, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel remains his most popular, having been filmed twice and endlessly analyzed in American classrooms. Given its cast of vivid characters, it’s not a surprise the novel has also been reinterpreted several times. 

“Beautiful Little Fools” by Jillian Cantor focuses on the women in the original book: Daisy Buchanan, Jordan Baker and Catherine McCoy. Set in the aftermath of Jay Gatsby’s death, the book follows the women as they navigate New York in the Jazz Age era, with each trying to build a unique life in a world that divides them through wealth and privilege.

Enjoy the summer days with a classic!