What I Read: Anna Karenina, Slaughterhouse-five and the classics I picked up in 2020

Welcome back! The only project I took up during the lockdown that can be distantly called a self-improvement project, is reading more classics in 2020. So here's a list you didn't ask for!

A lot has happened since the beginning of 2020. For the sake of your sanity, and mine, I will not list all the reasons why this year has been a miserable one for all of us. If there is a silver lining in this cloud it is that the pandemic left me with more time on my hands than I knew what to do with. So along with my normal reading I picked up a ton of classics this year. I realised towards the end of last year, while looking back at all the books that I have read since 2018, that there were many essential reading classics that I had never picked up. There are classics that many of my friends read while in school that I never did. So I took the last 10 months as an opportunity to rectify this. This is the only self-improvement project that I took on during the lockdown and I’m not complaining. 

Disclaimer 1: Not all classics are good. Not all classics need to be read. 

Disclaimer 2: Classics are a product of their time. Having said this, it is not always possible to ignore the blatant problems in them.

Disclaimer 3: I am not a literature student, though I hope to be one soon. I read these books for pleasure and so my opinions about them also come from an amateur point of view. So basically, don’t @ me if I didn’t like your fav.

Read

1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Who doesn’t know the story of this iconic novel? Who knows the story and does not fancy themselves at least half in love with Mr Darcy? There’s a faction of readers online who do not enjoy this novel. To them I have only one question, HOW? This was a reread before I picked up Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, which is one of the most enjoyable adaptations that I have read this year.

I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! -- When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.

Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice (1813)

2. The Awakening by Kate Chopin

This is known as one of the earliest feminist novels and I could see why. I would have found more to appreciate about this book if I had read it before reading other feminist novels that are more nuanced. Reading it in 2020 felt a little disappointing, but that may also be because I went in with very high expectations.

but whatever came, she had resolved never again to belong to another than herself.

Kate Chopin, The Awakening (1899)

3. The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

It takes a certain amount of talent to talk about infidelity while maintaining the decorum of 1870’s upper-class New York. Wharton’s characters are all unique and her manner of describing them paints a picture of a time that I would have loved to experience. The book, however, did not leave as much of an impression on me as I would have liked.

We can't behave like people in novels, though, can we?

Edith Wharton, The Age of Innocence (1920)

4. The Man Who was Thursday by G. K. Chesterton

Halfway through the book I was convinced that this book was either too bizarre or I was too stupid to understand the commentary that Chesterton was attempting to make. Reading reviews of the books online reassured me that I was not alone in this struggle. There are parts of the story that made me laugh out loud and others that just left me scratching my head.

If you'd take your head home and boil it for a turnip it might be useful. I can't say. But it might.

G. K. Chesterton, The Man Who was Thursday (1908)

5. Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys

Rhys reimagines the story of Mrs Rochester in this novel that follows Mr Rochester’s ‘mad’ wife Antoinette Cosway, a Creole heiress. Jane Eyre really does Beth dirty and Rhys’s attempt to give her a character and backstory is appreciable. But something about the language of this book gave me the same feeling that many people complain about when reading classics. 

There are always two deaths, the real one and the one people know about.

Jean Rhys, Wide Sargasso Sea (1966)

6. Excellent Women by Barbara Pym

I did not love this book and neither did I hate it. It felt very ordinary in its light descriptions of the life of a woman in 1950’s London. It is not one of those books that features on the must-read classics lists but I’m glad that I did pick it up.

My thoughts went round and round and it occurred to me that if I ever wrote a novel it would be of the 'stream of consciousness' type and deal with an hour in the life of a woman at the sink.

Barbara Pym, Excellent Women (1952)

7. A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf

This should be a book that everyone must read, not only women. There were several points in the book where Woolf’s arguments made me yell out in agreement. Since I was listening to the audiobook- Sneha was the bestest friend and got me a physical copy soon after- it made me look like quite a fool. But I have no regrets. I wish to one day be as articulate as Woolf was.

I would venture to guess that Anon, who wrote so many poems without signing them, was often a woman.

Virginia Woolf, A Room of One’s Own (1929)

8. A Month in the Country by J. L. Carr

A quiet, breezy novel that I finished in one sitting. Even though I don’t have much to say about this story of an art restorer visiting a small town in the country, the experience of reading it was pleasurable. One of those quick summer reads that people keep talking about.

If I’d stayed there, would I always have been happy? No, I suppose not. People move away, grow older, die, and the bright belief that there will be another marvelous thing around each corner fades. It is now or never; we must snatch at happiness as it flies.

J. L. Carr, A Month in the Country (1980)

9. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

Probably a book I have been meaning to pick up for the longest time. My inability to understand, or appreciate, poetry means that I may never read any of Plath’s work. But reading this book made me wish that I could do so. Her exploration of mental health, done using the most lyrical, yet sparse, writing left me stunned.

I took a deep breath and listened to the old brag of my heart. I am, I am, I am.

Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar (1963)

10. The Yellow Wall-Paper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Another book that explores the theme of mental health and womanhood, but with a touch of the creepy vibes. I am sure there were parts of this short book that I didn’t understand or metaphors that I missed, but regardless I would recommend that people read it.

But I MUST say what I feel and think in some way — it is such a relief! But the effort is getting to be greater than the relief.

Charlotte Perkins Gilman, The Yellow Wall-Paper (1892)

11. Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

Stream of consciousness at its best, Woolf’s novel takes place over one day and explores the lives of a huge cast of characters. This was my first experience with Woolf’s fiction and I went in with hesitance because I was afraid the writing style wouldn't sit well with me. Boy, was I wrong!

It might be possible that the world itself is without meaning.

Virginia Woolf, Mrs Dalloway (1925)

12. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Even though this was my first time reading Steinbeck’s short novel, I knew the story going in. This knowledge, however, did not hamper the experience of reading it. My reaction to it was kind of lukewarm, though I see why so many people talk about how great this novel is.

As happens sometimes, a moment settled and hovered and remained for much more than a moment. And sound stopped and movement stopped for much, much more than a moment.

John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men (1937)

13. Passing by Nella Larson

A book that took the reader community by storm this year was The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennet, I hope to finish it before 2021. But Larson’s short novel is a great exploration of the same themes and it deserves a lot more love and discourse than it gets. Another book I listened to the audiobook of and I would recommend checking it out in this format.

The trouble with Clare was, not only that she wanted to have her cake and eat it too, but that she wanted to nibble at the cakes of other folk as well.

Nella Larson, Passing (1929)

14. Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Apart from being the author of several amazing novels, including my absolutely favourite magical realism book: One Hundred Years of Solitude, Marquez was also a journalist. This story of the death of a man and the actions and reactions of people he was acquainted with, truly shows off his journalistic style.

A falcon who chases a warlike crane can only hope for a life of pain.

Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Chronicle of a Death Foretold (1981)

15. Slaughterhouse-five by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

This book is a ride from its iconic first line to its iconic last line! When I decided to listen to it as an audiobook instead of reading the physical copy a friend said that I would find it difficult to keep track of all the events, but fortunately I absolutely loved the experience and it leaves me with the opportunity to pick it up once again and annotate the book. 

And so it goes...

Kurt Vonnegut Jr., Slaughterhouse-five (1969)

16. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Another novel that needs no introduction. This was my second time reading it, first time after having watched the movie, and knowing the fate of all the characters in the book meant that I could clearly see all the instances of foreshadowing. Having read many other books about the American Dream, I know that this isn’t the best one, but I must appreciate Fitzgerald’s command over language and plot.

So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.

F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby (1925)

17. A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood

What a beautiful story! This book is definitely going to be one of those that I will reread in a few years and find even more to like in it and think about. I had no idea about the story going in and had just heard a lot about Isherwood’s writing. I can attest to the fact that the language in this book is gorgeous.

Waking up begins with saying am and now. That which has awoken then lies for a while staring up at the ceiling and down into itself until it has recognized I, and therefrom deduced I am, I am now. Here comes next, and is at least negatively reassuring; because here, this morning, is where it has expected to find itself: what’s called at home.

Christopher Isherwood, A Single Man (1964)

18. Orlando by Virginia Woolf

A great study in gender, sexuality and the fluidity that exists in them. It’s astounding that this novel was written in the time that it was. Woolf’s command over language and the stream of consciousness style is commendable. I can see why people find it difficult to read, but personally I absolutely loved the book.

As long as she thinks of a man, nobody objects to a woman thinking.

Virginia Woolf, Orlando (1928)

19. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

People either love this novel or hate it. Jane is probably one of the most infuriating characters I know. And those who say that this is a good romance novel and Wuthering Heights isn’t, did we even read the same books? Jane and Mr Rochester are probably one of the worst examples of a couple in literature.

I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.

Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre (1847)

20. Gilgi, One of Us by Irmgard Keun

I picked this book up because of the synopsis that I read online and I was not disappointed. The translation- the book was originally written in German- was so well done. I don’t know how to explain it but reading the choppy style in English really gave me a feel for the original text.

Our own mistakes are always the ones which we hold against other people…

Irmagard Keun, Gilgi, One of Us (1931)

21. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

The fact that I successfully made my way through this huge novel has become a running joke in this newsletter but it was really a feat. Not because I didn’t enjoy the story, I actually quite liked it, but mostly because of what a long journey it was. Maybe one day I’ll finish reading Tolstoy’s War and Peace and then I’ll really have something to gloat about.

If you look for perfection, you'll never be content.

Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina (1877)

22. Cannery Row by John Steinbeck

I really do not have much to say about this Steinbeck’s novel (short story?). Maybe this is one of those smart books I spoke about but the purpose of this story kind of went over my head a little. I did enjoy the descriptions, however, and Steinbeck really knows how to write unique characters.

It is the hour of pearl—the interval between day and night when time stops and examines itself.

John Steinbeck, Cannery Row (1945)

23. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

I don’t know how it happened but this was the first time I picked up this novel. While Fanny Price might be my least liked Austen character, her tale was one that I enjoyed, excluding the cousins in love trope of course. Also, can we all agree that Mrs Norris is horrible, malicious and downright entertaining?

A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of.

Jane Austen, Mansfield Park (1814)

With a month and a half to go before we celebrate New Year’s Eve once again, hoping and praying that 2021 is a much better year, I have a few more classics lined up. I may not be able to make my way through all of them because I always tend to overestimate my reading abilities. Then I will just carry them on to next year, in the way that we hopefully won’t carry on the pandemic.

Currently Reading

1. 1984 by George Orwell

50 pages in and I can see why this book is probably the most referenced book ever.

2. Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier

I’m just a little over halfway done. I love Rebecca by du Maurier and when the hype around the book was at its peak because of the release of the new film adaptation, I was compelled to pick up another book by her. 

3. Memories of My Melancholy Whores by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Just a few pages in and I am already reminded why I love Marquez’s writing so much. Also do judge the book by its title, it is about exactly what is mentioned in the name.

To-Be-Read Before 2021

1. Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe

2. To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf

3. Tamas by Bhisham Sahni

4. Emma by Jane Austen (Reread)

5. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (Reread)

I plan on doing a final wrap up of all the books I read, and will read in the next two months, closer to the end of the year. I always find it difficult to rate, or rank, classics and so I thought I would make my task easier by writing a completely separate article about them. See you on the other side. And happy reading!

A shameless self plug here: You can follow me on Goodreads and find me on Storygraph as Diti Acharya!