Happy Tuesday!! The lovely bloggers over at The Broke and the Bookish are taking a brief hiatus from hosting Top Ten Tuesday this summer, which means that I’ve decided to create some of my own TTT themes. Since today is Independence Day in the United States, I thought it would be fun to talk about books revolving around freedom. Though we might initially think of freedom as escaping from physical imprisonment or captivity, there are countless ways that freedom can be manifested. In no particular order, here are my Top Ten Books About Freedom:
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass
This autobiography discusses one of the most important kinds of freedom, in my opinion: freedom from slavery. Douglass was a slave who escaped from bondage, traveled to New England, and became one of the most successful and influential African American orators of his time. His life story and his writing are as fascinating as they are inspirational.
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
I think we can all relate to the feeling of being trapped in a monotonous, dull routine. The Phantom Tollbooth offers young Milo a respite from this gloomy boredom and helps him realize that there is fun, adventure, and excitement to be found in everyday life. (It also features the most adorable dog!!)
Wild by Cheryl Strayed
As she hikes the grueling Pacific Crest Trail, Strayed is simultaneously on a journey to free herself from the regrets, mistakes, and sorrows of her past. What she finds is an illuminating sense of self, life, and purpose. This empowering emotional and spiritual freedom is incredibly inspiring to read about.
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
Atwood has created a brilliant, expertly crafted novel of what it feels like to live under an oppressive government that does not recognize the rights of women to their own bodies and lives. Offred, the protagonist, seeks freedom from the societal chains she is forced to bear. Not only is this simply a captivating story, but it contains an important message that we should remember in our own society today.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Though very different in many ways, Huck and Jim are both searching for the same thing as they journey along the river: freedom from the restrictive, controlling civilization they are forced to live in. This is a classic case of nature vs. civilization, making the raft a kind of liminal space where the normal rules of society are bent.
1984 by George Orwell
In this classic dystopian novel, Orwell shows how difficult it can be to maintain individuality and assert one’s free will in the face of an all-knowing, omnipotent government. Though freedom from observance is sought, such efforts ultimately prove futile. This is one of the most unsettling, startling, eye-opening books I’ve ever read!
Beloved by Toni Morrison
Haunted by the ghosts of her past as a slave, Sethe is nearly driven to madness as her memories become more and more real. This raw, unsettling, captivating novel captures the struggle of trying to break free from the past, especially when remnants of it still surround you.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Sometimes adolescence can feel like one big cage built by society, arbitrary rules of “popularity,” the desire to conform and be liked, high expectations of adults, and all of the questions you wish you had answers for. Fortunately, Charlie finds some freedom from this cage through the help of some unlikely friends.
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
Krakauer tells the true story of a man named Chris McCandless who traveled across the United States all the way to Alaska where he unfortunately passed away in the middle of the wilderness. Though people wonder exactly what Chris wanted to get out of his journey, I personally feel as though he was searching for the freedom to live the life he wanted to live without feeling restricted by society.
1776 by David McCullough
How could I create a list about freedom without including a book about America’s independence from Great Britain? McCullough is a masterful historian and storyteller, as shown through his ability to tell this inspirational and engaging historical account.
What books remind you of freedom? What do you think of the books on my list? Do you have any fun Fourth of July traditions? Let me know in the comments section below!
Yours,
HOLLY
I love The Phantom Tollbooth but it’s rare to find other people who love it, too!! Great list. 🙂
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Thanks!! 🙂 My roommate recommended The Phantom Tollbooth to me last year because I never read it when I was younger. I’m so glad she did because otherwise I probably never would have picked it up!
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That’s cool! I read it as a kid but I think I thought it was kind of weird and creepy. When I reread it fairly recently, though, I loved it!
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Great list! I think that Beloved especially speaks about freedom on several different levels. Of course there’s literal freedom, but one can have that and still be a prisoner to the psychological impact of slavery. Also, love your picks of The Handmaid’s Tale, Huck Finn and 1984. I need to reread The Phantom Tollbooth. I read it as a kid, but I suspect it’s one of those books I’d get more out of as an adult.
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Thanks so much!! 🙂 I never read The Phantom Tollbooth when I was younger so when my roommate recommended it to me last year I didn’t really know what to expect. The story is unbelievably clever, especially the way it is written (and there are SO MANY puns!!).
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Solid choices. I love that you didn’t always go with the generic freedom.
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Thank you!!
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The only one of these I’ve read is Perks of Being A Wallflower but I agree with its place on your list, it definitely does speak to a kind of freedom.
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2017/07/04/top-ten-tuesday-114/
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Perks of Being A Wallflower is so good! It’s definitely one of those books that sticks with you after you read it.
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Yes it is 🙂
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You call Alex ‘Chris’? My entire english class called him Alex.
I’ve been meaning to read Handmaid’s Tale but since the show started coming out it got too many holds. *sigh of frustration*
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oooh shows and movies based on books do have that unfortunate effect 😦 I felt that way when The Perks of Being A Wallflower became a movie– it was so hard to find a copy to check out!
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Wonderful posts!! Excellent choice with the Phantom Tollbooth and a million times yes to 1984!! I reread it recently and it’s just mindblowing. And I loved Perks 😀
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Thanks so much!! 🙂 I really need to reread 1984 because I read it a few years ago but I feel like there’s so much that can be gained from a second time.
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You’re welcome!! Oh absolutely 😀
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This is such a great list, Holly! 🙂 I loved The Perks so, so much and it reminds me of this theme as well 🙂
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Thank you!! ❤ Perks is one of those books that I find myself thinking about in certain situations… it's a story that definitely sticks with you.
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This is a wonderful list. I have enjoyed 1984, Handmaid’s tale, Huckleberry Finn and seen the movie of Wild. Now to get to the others. I have wanted to read Stephen Chbosky’s book for so long,
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Thank you!! Perks of Being a Wallflower is such a great read! I definitely recommend it ❤
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i have never associated The Phantom Toll Booth with freedom, but you are so right! My TTT
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haha thanks! 🙂
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What a great list! I was happy to see I had read most of them 🙂
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That’s such a satisfying feeling! 🙂 Thanks!!
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