“A classic is a book that has never finished saying what it has to say.”
Every reader has something to thank classical literature for. From establishing tropes and formulas to the wonderful feeling of walking through history with a story that has withstood centuries’ worth of time, classical literature remains some of the most joyful and magical experiences going. But, with older styles of writing that are often more complex, soldiering through classic novels can often be seen as jarring, boring or even frustrating to get through. This is why we here at What We Reading thought we would conjure up a full guide on how to read classic literature! These handy tips will not only help you see why classic novels are so revered in the reading world but will also help teach you how to begin to enjoy reading them.
Listen To An Audiobook
We’re going to kick off our guide on how to read classic literature by actually recommending an altogether different strategy – one that isn’t actually ‘reading’. One of the best ways of immersing in a story is by hearing it read out loud. Plenty of classic books were designed specifically for this purpose, so listening to the audiobook version of a story can be a good way of getting through a book you’re having trouble getting along with.
A good audiobook narrator can also capture the feel of not only the story but the context and history behind it depending on their tone of voice and delivery. By injecting some added life into a classic piece of literature, you may see it in a better light, something that may have been missed had you just been reading from the page.
Read Slower
One of the biggest differences between classical literature and modern books is the pacing. Contemporary books can feel rapid at times, whilst classic novels are much more of a marathon to get through. This is partly because, during their initial publishing, many classic books were serialised, meaning that readers would often have to wait weeks before being able to progress.
This approach can be seen in the writings of many classical authors such as George Eliot, Alexander Dumas and Charles Dickens.
Instead of trying to race through a piece of classic literature, try to ‘go local’ and take your time with it, as the author intended. Allow your brain to process what is happening in the story, meditate on the themes and messages it is trying to convey and let your imagination loose with a cliffhanger at the end of a reading session. Classic literature represents one of the purest ways of fully escaping the hecticness of modern life, so embrace it!
Fill In The Gaps With Research
When reading classic literature, one of the most common issues individuals face is the differences in time between the author and the present day. Words that are out of use now, language styles that feel out-of-sorts and phrases that aren’t relevant today can make the reading experience overly complicated or bland. We can also be tempted to skip over parts of a story where things are being discussed that don’t fit with the modern world.
The trick to reading classic books and enjoying them is to take the time to understand these features rather than looking over them. Here are some of our quick tips on how to read classic literature and research along the way:
- Look up the history: If a story is set during an event or period of significant history, research it for a better understanding of the context behind it.
- Make a word list: Jot down words or phrases that you don’t understand as you read. Look them up online to begin building out your own historical dictionary which will not only make a classic novel easier to read but also improve your language skills.
- Draw up a list of characters: Classic novels can have a long character list. If there are too many for you to keep track of, make a list for you to keep on hand.
- Check the Index: Many editions of classic novels feature indexes full of handy information and context about it. Platforms such as SparkNotes are also incredibly useful for learning more about the plot, themes and context behind a story.
Pick The Right Book
Another one of the most important factors behind reading classic novels and enjoying them is making sure you’re reading what you enjoy. We all have our preferences when it comes to contemporary reads, so why shouldn’t the same be the case for pieces of classical literature?
It’s tempting to throw all classic novels into the ‘classic’ genre, but that isn’t always helpful. Instead, think about the specific genres you enjoy reading and pick out a story that best suits your interests. For example, if you love gothic settings and science fiction, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is the perfect choice. Alternatively, for a charming romance read, Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women or Jane Austen’s Emma may be the read for you.
Wrap Up
It can sometimes feel like reading classic novels is somehow ‘purer’, ‘better’ or more ‘important’ than contemporary counterparts. And whilst many classic books are significant, it’s always worth remembering that reading should always be something you enjoy doing, not something you feel pressured to get done.
With that being said, classic literature can be a great way of expanding your horizons and immersing in a new way of reading. They can often come with confusing and challenging aspects but, through some of the strategies we’ve gone through here, getting through these issues can make the experience more fun and rewarding.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
