With The Great Gatsby hitting theaters (which I have yet to see) it appears more and more prevalent that people know the classics through movies. When asked about Pride and Prejudice, rather than the first thing coming to mind being the author Jane Austen, it is Keira Knightley and who wrote that again? Now with Gatsby, those unfamiliar with F. Scott Fitzgerald may bring Leonardo DiCaprio to mind. While I do cringe when people associate Pygmalion with Audrey Hepburn, in the big scheme of things that’s okay. While like any high school teacher it be preferable to read the book rather than watch the movie. The story is still there and the visual can be just as enthralling as the written word. I feel that way about Gone with the Wind, so I can easily see how that can happen.
A few of my favorite classics that I think would be a good jumping off point are:
- To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
- In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
- Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
- The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
I have to say I don't like at all The Great Gatsby, neither Austen, but your #1 and #5 would be on top of my list, with Steinbeck's East of Eden. thanks for sharing
We share many of the same favorites…great choices and post! 🙂
I think Diary of a Young Girl was the first book I ever read that moved me to tears. I think every teenager should read this book.
My favorite part in high school was reading the classic novels first, then getting to watch the movie adaptation. I have carried that through to my adult life too. If there is a movie based on a book, I will not watch it until I have read the book.
The first that comes to mind for with P and P is not Kiera, but Collin Firth of course! 🙂
You are a Wuthering Heights fan? I fear that many of us fall into either loving it or hating it. And me? I love it too!
In Cold Blood. What a chilling book. Good one! Nice to meet you!
Movies are 2-D
Books are 3-D
I didn't say it — Paul Auster did.