Posted on by Holly

5 Classics for May

In this series, I recommend five classics each month that remind me of that particular time of the year. You know what they say: April showers bring May flowers. That has certainly been true where I live thus far this month–so many flowers in the garden have begun to bloom and it’s so lovely to see vibrant colors outside after all the gloomy rain of April. With this in mind, I’m going to focus my May recommendations on classics that remind my of flowers, whether that be through a rosy atmosphere, “flowery” writing, or a focus on nature.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. When I think of “flowery” writing, I always think of F. Scott Fitzgerald. Back in my high school American literature class we used to use Hemingway and Fitzgerald to show two extremes of writing (florid and wordy v. terse and choppy) and that comparison has stuck in my mind ever since. Fitzgerald’s writing is beautiful and elegant and indulgent–my favorite kind of writing! {My review}

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez. While I would also describe Márquez’s writing as “florid,” this novel also contains such vivid descriptions and imagery of nature that I just had to include it in this list. This novel is such a great classic to read if you’d like to escape for a while into some family drama amidst beautiful scenery. {My review}

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. There’s this scene in the very beginning of The Picture of Dorian Gray where the characters are sitting in a room filled with different flowers. To me that scene is such a good representation of the opulence, luxury, beauty, and youth Dorian embodies before… things take turn for the worse. {My review}

As You Like It by William Shakespeare. Blossoming love, anyone? There’s so much newfound passion blooming in this play that I can’t help but picture flowers when I think of it. The incredible flower-filled performance of it at the Globe that I saw a few years ago might also be contributing to my memory of this play…

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Sometimes it can feel like a lot of classics are doom and gloom, but P&P certainly is a rose among thorns. Between Austen’s wit, the Bennet sisters’ antics, and the famous ending, you’re sure to finish this book with a smile on your face.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this classics guide for the month of May!

With books do you associate with the month of May? What do you think of the books I’ve mentioned? Which books would you add? Let me know in the comments section below!

Yours,

HOLLY

34 Replies to “5 Classics for May”

    1. One Hundred Years of Solitude is so great! And I definitely agree about wanting to reread Dorian Gray–I feel like it’s the type of book that never gets old after rereading.

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  3. The Secret Garden definitely feels like spring and early summer to me! And somehow, David Copperfield too, though it has nothing to do with flowery writing. I think that’s because I spent the entirety of May 2015 reading the book since I was so determined to finish it and not leave it halfway!

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    1. I’ve always wanted to read The Secret Garden!! I’ll have to see if I can find a copy this month. And David Copperfield has also been on my TBR list for ages. Thanks so much for recommending these! ❤

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  8. I will admit that I’m not a fan of The Great Gatsby because of its flowery writing, but I’m glad that you enjoy it! I usually think of lighter classics during the spring. I finally read Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass last month and it definitely felt like the perfect spring classic for me 🙂

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    1. Aww that sounds so lovely! Dorian Gray is one of those books that I feel like never gets old when you reread it. I’ve read it two or three times and every time I come away from it with something new!

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  10. Oh flowery writing is my favourite too and my go-to example is Gatsby as well!! 😀 And love that opening for dorian gray as well- it’s pefect for this list! Really like as you like it and pride and prejudice for this too 😀 Lovely list!

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  15. This is a really good idea for a post Holly! Flowers would make me think of Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. The first time I read it, my copy had a rose on the cover which made me think it was going to be a sweet romance…needless to say, I was a bit surprised to find such a deliciously dark read within!!! 😂 X

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  16. Pingback: MAY 2020 | Wrap-Up – Nut Free Nerd

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