These 3 Classic Novels Are Less Boring Than Most

Welcome to I Rant About Books!

Thank you for visiting (despite the fact that classic books are usually really boring, long, and hard to understand.) I wanted to share 3 novels that I thought, although being classics, were genuinely interesting and fun to read.

I'm going to keep this one short and sweet; no ranting permitted. Without further ado, here are 3 classic novels that I enjoyed reading.

1. The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

Description Credit: https://www.amazon.ca/Westing-Game-Puffin-Modern-Classics/dp/014240120X A bizarre chain of events begins when sixteen unlikely people gather for the reading of Samuel W. Westing’s will. And though no one knows why the eccentric, game-loving millionaire has chosen a virtual stranger—and a possible murderer—to inherit his vast fortune, on things for sure: Sam Westing may be dead…but that won’t stop him from playing one last game!

Rating: 7.5/10

ARP Points: 8

Positive:

I once read that Ellen Raskin didn't plan out the plot of The Westing Game, but instead wrote the clues and the resolution as they came to her. I thought that was astonishing. This book has one of the most unpredictable endings in English literature, and I couldn't believe it was unplanned; I still can't.

16 characters are suspect to 3 different crimes. There's a bookie, a thief, and a bomber. Everyone is suspicious...

Additionally, this book contained hilarious characters and it was a relatively easy read.

Negative:

This book is a western classic, so it can be hard to follow at times. However, I believe it is definitely worth its occasionally dull language.

2. A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Description Credit: https://study.com/academy/lesson/the-little-princess-book-summary-characters.html

''A Little Princess'' by Frances Hodgson Burnett is a tale of how a wealthy little girl named Sara Crewe becomes suddenly poor when her father dies. Explore how the story teaches the harsh realities of classism and treatment for the poor versus treatment for the rich.

Rating: 6.5/10

ARP Points: 11

Disclaimer: This is more of a children's book than anything else.

I have to be honest; it's been a while since I've read this novel. BUT, in 3rd grade, it was definitely my favourite book. And third grade was the peak of my reading career until this year, so I know that counts for something.

What I remember about this book is that it is an extremely heartwarming tale. Oh, I just had a core memory! I liked this book because the protagonist was around the same age as me, which was 8 years old. Aha, my research reveals that she was 7 years old in the novel.

3. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Description Credit: https://dp.la/primary-source-sets/little-women-by-louisa-may-alcott

Louisa May Alcott's novel Little Women tells the story of the four March girls as they make the transition to womanhood and struggle to conform to society's strict ideals of femininity in the midst of poverty. The story is set in 1860s Massachusetts during the Civil War and is loosely based on Alcott's own childhood.

Rating: 9/10

ARP Points: 15

Omigosh, I just love this book. (Plus, the 2019 version of the movie was also amazing. Combining Little Women and Good Wives was perfect.)

They all have strong personalities, but they are not afraid to be who they are, even if that means conforming to societal norms or completely stepping outside of them. On the outside, Meg is "perfect" and Jo is "wild" and Beth is "sweet" and Amy is "spoiled." However, at their cores, the March sisters are all simply human.

Furthermore, the plot is also really sweet. A classic story of sisterhood, mixed with lots of mischief and romance. To top it all off, the writing style is easy to read and the setting makes you feel right at home.

Spoiler: Highlight to view spoiler

I am so Team Amy and Laurie over Jo and Laurie! Even though Jo and Laurie were sweet together, it wasn't enough after the first book.

Thank you so much for reading this post of I Rant About Books. These books are truly amazing. As always, feel free to contact me on Instagram @lara_murakami, in the comments section below, or in any other way!

Love, Lara