It's So Classic Blog Party || My Five Favorite Classics

As I mentioned in this post, Rebellious Writing is hosting their It's So Classic blog party until the end of August, and I decided a fun way to participate would be to share my top favorite literary classics.  As you can see, there are only five of them in this post, because I have this weird thing where I don't like claiming that any book is a favorite until I've read it at least twice, and a lot of the classics I've liked have yet to be re-read. :-P  Also, I'm restricting my post contributions for this event to classics of the historical fiction variety, which obviously excludes Narnia and Middle-earth and so on.  But five his-fic offerings will do for now, don't you think?

So, here they are.  The classic (non-fantasy) books that I've loved the most so far.  (This list will probably surprise exactly no one, but there's nothing for it.  I'm Predictable™.)

#5. The Age of Innocence 
{Edith Wharton}

I'm in the midst of re-reading this one, and while I'm seeing more rabbit trails than I noticed the first time around, I'm still loving its caustic diatribe against societal hypocrisy and double standards. And I love that the book's agenda is housed in a tale that's compelling and moving enough in its own right. Story serves theme and theme serves story. As it should be.

#4.  Jane Eyre 

{Charlotte Bronte}

There are things I don't love about this book, but on the whole it's so engrossing and so well-written.  And the last few chapters are so happy. :)

#3.  Christy 

{Catherine Marshall}

This one is a wee bit young to be considered a full-blown classic, but if I'm going off Hamlette's definition, then it works. ;)

As with literally all of these books, there are elements to this novel that I think would be better off excised or handled differently.  However, the setting is still uniquely stirring and moving for me, and certain passages just Get To Me in a way that few other books do.

#2.  Little Women 

{Louisa May Alcott}

Homelike and funny and poignant, I'm pretty sure this is a story that'll always have a place in my heart.  I love getting to know the March family and their entourage in both their flaws and their good points.  There's a lot to chew on in this book, character- and philosophy-wise, and whether you agree with Alcott's conclusions or not, you can appreciate the charm of the story and the lovable nature of the characters themselves. ♥

#1.  Ivanhoe 

{Sir Walter Scott}

*big grin*  I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUUUUCCHHHH. ♥♥

The sass is outstanding, the boss-ness of the characters is outstanding, and the legendary aesthetic + folkloric poignancy are outstanding.  Read it, I tell you. 

What are your favorite classics?