19th Century Classic Book Recommendations
Seriously still some of the best books ever written over a century later
When I began reading 19th-century books three and a half years ago, I did not know what to expect. Given the time difference, I feared that I might find them boring, dry, tedious, and difficult to understand. Yet many of the books I read from that time ended up becoming absolute favourites of mine, and I realized that I really loved a lot of old books. If you are looking for some great 19th-century books to read, I hope that this list will help you out.
Every book by Jane Austen
This probably goes without saying, but no 19th-century book recommendation list is complete without mention of Jane Austen, who is perhaps the most famous author of this time. Her six novels are Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Persuasion, and Northanger Abbey, all of which I adore. They are stories set in Regency-era England that are mainly about marriage which are famous for their realistic and well-crafted characters. To get an idea of what book you should start with, I suggest reading the post linked below.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Although it is my least favourite book on this list, Frankenstein is still well worth a read. It begins with a series of letters between an Arctic explorer and his sister that describe how the former came across a lone man, nearly dead in the harsh climate. This man, named Victor Frankenstein, then tells the story of how he creates and subsequently rejects a monstrous humanoid creature. He is frightened by the appearance of what he has made and flees, leaving the creature with no knowledge of humans and the world.
The book is fairly short but still carries powerful themes surrounding morality, the ethics of scientific advancements, and the relationship between a creator and their creation. It is very much a Gothic tale influenced by the Romantic movement and is considered to be the first work of modern science fiction. Some parts of it are a bit slow and not the most exciting, though Frankenstein is certainly essential reading for anyone looking to get into the world of 19th-century English literature.
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
The Count of Monte Cristo is a historical adventure novel that opens in the wake of Napoleon’s escape from Elba. Its protagonist, Edmond Dantès, is a skilled nineteen-year-old sailor with a fiancée and a promising career when he is arrested on the false charge of being a Bonapartist. Taken to an island fortress for a lifetime of solitary imprisonment, Edmond’s successful life gets turned upside down. Eventually, he meets another prisoner who educates him on many subjects and informs him of a secret treasure stash on the small Mediterranean island of Monte Cristo.
While it is quite lengthy, this book is truly fascinating and one that had me hooked from the start. It incorporates many characters into the story which can get confusing with all the complicated family dynamics but it is a great story that I highly recommend.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Although it is one of the most famous romance novels ever written, Jane Eyre can be enjoyed by those who generally dislike the genre. Its first-person narrative directly transports the reader (see what I did there?) into the mind of its eponymous heroine to experience life as a poor orphaned girl in England. Jane lives with her aunt and three cousins who treat her badly until she is sent to live at a boarding school. Unfortunately for her, the school is not a nice place and contributes to her difficult childhood.
After spending years studying and later teaching at the school, Jane gets hired as a governess and goes to live at Thornfield Hall, the mysterious residence of Mr. Rochester. There, she notices some strange occurrences and begins to develop a close relationship with the master of the house. As the book goes on, it incorporates many Gothic tropes into the story and has twists that will draw you more and more into its pages. It was the first Gothic novel I read and I am thankful that it introduced me to a genre I am now fascinated with.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Wuthering Heights became my favourite Brontë sisters’ novel when I read it late last year. It is not as well-loved as Jane Eyre and some strongly dislike it, yet I have nothing but love for this hauntingly beautiful book. Its plot surrounds two families, the Earnshaws and the Lintons, and the complex ways that these families were connected.
The book is narrated by a man named Mr. Lockwood who hears the story from a servant named Nelly Dean. She tells of how the Earnshaws, a family who lived in Wuthering Heights with children Hindley and Catherine, adopted a boy named Heathcliff. A neighbouring house, Thrushcross Grange, is home to the Lintons and their children, Edgar and Isabella. Much of the novel centres around the relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine, who form a deep romantic connection yet marry Isabella and Edgar respectively.
I will not suggest everyone read this book, as it is certainly a very different sort of novel than most others out there. Many readers find the characters unlikeable, and in several ways, they are. However, I still cannot help but be fascinated by the mystical setting on the moors and the captivating dynamics between the characters of this one-of-a-kind Gothic novel.
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë
My most recent read on this list is The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, a beautifully written epistolary novel that tells a heart-wrenching tale of domestic abuse. The beginning and end of the book are narrated by the character Gilbert Markham, a young farmer whose interest is piqued by a mysterious widow named Helen Graham who moves into the mansion Wildfell Hall with her son. Next, the middle portion is made up of Helen’s diary, chronicling her unfortunate marriage.
This book is such an impactful one, advocating for the rights of women in a time when they had very few. It is a gripping and sometimes chilling story of cruelty, but also of hope and new beginnings. I highly recommend this book!
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
Set against the backdrop of the Industrial Revolution, North and South follows a young woman named Margaret Hale whose life changes when her family moves to an industrial town that is so different from everything she previously knew. There, she meets the wealthy mill owner John Thorton, and the two of them quite dislike each other. The book progresses by developing their relationship and exploring the themes of shifting social structures and misguided first impressions.
North and South is often compared to Pride and Prejudice, as the two share much in common. Most people who enjoy one will also like the other, and while I prefer the latter, there is something so undeniably delightful about this book.
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
Filled with mysteries, strange occurrences, and shocking Victorian-era taboos, The Woman in White is considered a prime example of a sensation novel. It is written entirely through a series of letters narrated by several characters throughout the book, beginning with a man named Walter Hartright. He encounters a mysterious woman at night dressed all in white who escaped from an asylum and he becomes curious about her.
The novel contains a bit of romance, betrayal, dark secrets, and death that all work to craft a compelling story. Despite its admittedly lengthy nature, The Woman in White is one of this year’s May reads I did not want to put down and is a book that I will think about for years to come.
Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
I did write an entire post about this book which you can check out, so I will keep this summary short. Les Misérables is a historical novel with many characters, places, and subplots, making it difficult to describe. The protagonist is a former convict by the name of Jean Valjean whose life is impacted by an encounter with a benevolent bishop. It also involves the 1832 June Rebellion of Paris and is a truly wonderful story in nearly every way. Even though this book is very long, I highly recommend reading it!
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
I had never read any of these books before watching the 2019 movie adaptation of Little Women, which inspired me to read the book. I could not help but love the characters while watching it, especially Jo. Taking place in the United States, the first book follows four sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy as they grow up. They struggle financially but live happy lives together, and it was such a joy to read about the beloved March family.
The second and third books take place later, centring around the children of the March sisters. While I did not like these quite as much as the first one, they are still good books and I would recommend the whole series.
The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll
My all-time favourite children’s classic book is one that I only ended up reading in my final year of high school but had a great time with. It is a fantasy story that begins when Alice, a young girl, sees a white rabbit running and begins to chase after him. This takes her down a rabbit hole (literally) and into a place known as Wonderland. Very many odd and often nonsensical events happen such as Alice growing and shrinking upon eating or drinking certain things.
The well-known characters of the Cheshire Cat and the Queen of Hearts play important roles. If you have only watched the Disney movie, you should definitely consider picking up the book to read, as it is such a fun and adventurous tale.
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
When the handsome young man Dorian Gray has his portrait painted, he asks that the picture would age instead of his body, and this wish is granted. He becomes interested in an actress named Sybil Vane but is then cruel to her. As Dorian evolves into a more vain and selfish person, his portrait reflects such changes.
The Picture of Dorian Gray is one of the most beautifully written books I have ever read. It is another novel that falls within the Gothic genre, though it has some fantasy-like elements to it as well. Anyone interested in books from the 19th century should certainly read this short but impactful masterpiece.
This concludes my list of 19th-century books that I recommend. Please comment what your favourites from this time are and consider sharing this post with a friend who you think may be in need of some book recommendations!
Some amazing book recs. here! I've read them all, except for The Count of Monte Cristo and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
Some of my favorite books of all time are on this list! Good picks! :)