In high school I had a great interest (and aptitude) in literature, but after college I became a theologian. I don't regret that choice at all, but I feel I left behind a part of me, which I'd like to revisit.
So I want to read the classics, but I approach the matter as something of a novice--in fact with something like innocence, which I'm afraid to the point of paralysis of spoiling with either cynicism or sentimental indulgence, both of which there is so much of among books often loosely termed classics in English literature, I find.
So I'd like please a reading list of novels with realistic yet noble themes, like redemption and love; with historic settings, to demonstrate the timelessness of these themes, I suppose...and frankly to satisfy the crazed romantic in me; and with characters with depth, charm and just enough complexity to make the narrative truly compelling.
I have generally an admiration of period romances, so there's somewhere to start. When I was a young reader I fell in love with Little Women. That had charm, sorrow and wit enough to qualify as a children's classic; yet for an adult I suppose it would qualify not so much as a classic as a somewhat childish feel-good novel. What are some adult equivalents then of books that portray so much unabashed goodness, but are quite grown up?
So I want to read the classics, but I approach the matter as something of a novice--in fact with something like innocence, which I'm afraid to the point of paralysis of spoiling with either cynicism or sentimental indulgence, both of which there is so much of among books often loosely termed classics in English literature, I find.
So I'd like please a reading list of novels with realistic yet noble themes, like redemption and love; with historic settings, to demonstrate the timelessness of these themes, I suppose...and frankly to satisfy the crazed romantic in me; and with characters with depth, charm and just enough complexity to make the narrative truly compelling.
I have generally an admiration of period romances, so there's somewhere to start. When I was a young reader I fell in love with Little Women. That had charm, sorrow and wit enough to qualify as a children's classic; yet for an adult I suppose it would qualify not so much as a classic as a somewhat childish feel-good novel. What are some adult equivalents then of books that portray so much unabashed goodness, but are quite grown up?