Not sure what to read? There is a win-win option - a foreign classic: books that have been tested by time and by more than one generation of readers. Most of the novels in the selection below are in the "top 100" of the world's best-selling books. So choose a book you like according to the description and enjoy.
Jane Air, Charlotte Bronte
Charlotte Bronte’s novel is widely heard: it has been reprinted and made more than once. This book is a classic of foreign literature at its best.
Readers see the world through the eyes of Jane Eyre - a modest English girl who lost her parents early and forced to live in her aunt's house and suffer beatings and injustice. At first glance, entering the Lovewood School for Girls seems to be the best option: living conditions are even worse than in the house of the “benefactor”, but here Jane first makes friends, and later a job, thanks to which she gets to know the love of her whole life. However, on the way to the desired happiness, Jane has to shed many tears, learn to say goodbye and forgive.
Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte
A story of love, passion and hatred - so briefly you can describe the famous book of Emily Bronte, which still excites the hearts of readers. What is so attractive about her? Foreign classics are able to famously spin the plot and keep the reader in suspense until the denouement of the story.
Once, a new guest arrives at Wuthering Heights. Instead of a hospitable host and cozy home, Mr. Lockwood expects something different: a rude homeowner, his sullen relatives and a general sense of gloom and neglect of the estate. Having made friends with the old maid, Lockwood learns the story of Wuthering Heights - a history of destructive love, passion and hatred that lasts for decades.
Notre Dame Cathedral, Victor Hugo
Do you like how French (foreign) classics write? Then be sure to read one of Victor Hugo’s best novels.
The author tells a tragic and wonderful story of the love of several young people for one girl. Heroes experience not a timid, tender feeling, but love, which leads to sin and overshadows common sense. But who will the beautiful Esmeralda choose? The one who is ugly in appearance, but beautiful in soul and ready to defend his beloved, no matter what? Or will he prefer a sweet-talking handsome man who sees in a girl only a toy?
Sister Kerry, Theodore Dreiser
Why are foreign classics still interesting? Probably because the stories that live on the pages of written books are no less relevant than at the time of publication of the works.
Eighteen-year-old Kerry Mieber, hoping for a better life, moves from a small town to Chicago. But the girl’s hopes are not justified: neither relatives nor the city are happy about her arrival. Only a random acquaintance of Drouet shows interest in her; does he introduce the pretty Kerry to the manager of the bar, George Gerstwood. A relationship with George, which at first seemed good luck, led the girl to New York, where she finally finds her vocation on the stage of the theater.
“Wives and Daughters,” Elizabeth Gaskell
This novel is deservedly included in the selection of "foreign classics, the best." The plot may not be new, but it is interesting to read, and many situations seem vital.
Molly Gibson has been in love with Roger Hamley since childhood. But she is only the daughter of a simple doctor, and he is the heir to a noble and wealthy family, so there can be no question of any feelings. Moreover, it turns out that Roger is not indifferent to the girl’s half-sister - the temperamental Cynthia, and she seems to reciprocate. However, it soon becomes clear that Cynthia has its secrets, and she needs Roger only to gain freedom from the past. However, despite the love triangle, everyone eventually finds his own happiness.
The Adventures of Oliver Twist, Charles Dickens
If you are impressed by foreign classics, and you prefer books with a happy ending, then pay attention to this story.
The plot focuses on the life of Oliver Twist, a boy who ended up in an orphanage after the death of his mother. Due to a small offense, the child is sent to the apprentice to the undertaker, but, unable to bear the mistreatment, Oliver escapes from the office and goes to London. The boys do not end with this misfortune: he manages to get into a gang of pickpockets. And only a meeting with Mr. Brownlow promises to put an end to the black line in the life of an unsuccessful thief.
Red and Black, Stendhal
The book is considered the pearl of the work of Stendhal - the master of a psychological novel. The basis for writing the work served as real events.
Julien Sorel is ambitious, prudent, ready to go over his head in order to achieve his goals. When the vacancy of the tutor in the mayor’s house was vacated, the young man did not think for a long time and easily got a vacant place. Just as easily, Julien won the heart of Madame de Renal, the wife of her employer. But because of the rumors creeping around the city, the young man has to leave. However, fate favors him, and Sorel gets the position of secretary of the Marquis de La Molla in Paris. Clever and ambitious, he attracts the attention of the daughter of the Marquis and, although he does not have any feelings for the girl, ties up with her and makes plans for the future. However, the unexpected letter from the former mistress spoils everything: the young man loses his post and bright prospects and, inspired by a thirst for revenge, decides to kill Madame de Renal.
“The Night is Tender,” Fitzgerald
The works of foreign classics, and not only foreign ones, often cause mixed impressions after reading. "The Night is Tender" was no exception: a bright plot, an interesting development of the plot and a bitter aftertaste ending the ending. What is it: a story of love or moral degradation, a happy end or a meaningful ellipsis? Everyone decides for himself after reading.
A young psychiatrist Dick Diver falls in love with a patient and marries her. The couple lives in their own house on the banks of the Riviera, leading a rather secluded lifestyle, occasionally arranging gatherings with friends. Everything changes when Rosemary arrives on the coast. The eighteen-year-old actress is strikingly different from Nicole, and Dick falls in love with her. However, the affair did not last long - the beauty leaves and appears in the life of a psychiatrist only four years later, all the same beautiful and brilliant. The novel flares up again and fades away just as quickly, and after him, Dick’s career begins to fade. However, the hero again after a time meets his lover. What is waiting for Dick now, and can he finally determine his desires and find happiness?
Dangerous Liaisons, Chauderlo de Laclos
If you are interested in foreign novels (classics), then pay attention to this book. This is a novel in letters, but despite the genre, the book is easy to read, language and style are beyond praise. A special intrigue is that the author assures the authenticity of the entire correspondence, only slightly adjusted by the editor.
The plot is simple and sometimes predictable, but events are developing rapidly, passions are heating up, and even if the reader does not know what the characters look like, this does not interfere with the perception of the picture as a whole.
Madame de Wolange takes her daughter Cecile from the monastery and plans to marry the girl to Count de Jarcourt. The Marquise de Merteuil learns about the upcoming wedding and, wanting revenge on her former lover, persuades her friend Viscount de Valmont to seduce an innocent girl.
The Catcher in the Rye, Jerome Salinger
The cult novel by Jerome Salinger still causes controversial emotions among readers: some consider it a masterpiece and do not think the best books of foreign classics without this work, others sincerely try to understand what the author wrote and why everyone likes it so much.
The protagonist is the sixteen-year-old Holden Caulfield, who is being treated at the clinic. He has a difficult relationship with his peers, he doesn’t get along with girls, and the only person he can trust is Phoebe's younger sister. All the others seem to him too overacting or repulsive. Holden is trying to find his place in life, but there comes a time when the teenager's only desire is to escape from everything.
The book is quite interesting in psychological terms, if you do not wait for the adventure or the hero’s attempt to change the world, or at least himself.