The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

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Have you ever wanted to delve into classics but felt that braving them is impossible with the inaccessible language? Or perhaps you think you won’t relate to something written a century ago. It may seem intimidating, but there’s something for everyone in the realm of classic novels. These stories could be the plot of your favourite movies; reading the books gives you full immersion into the plot and characters. Here are five classic novels that have a modern feel, with more accessible language.

Pride and Prejudice

It is the original enemies-to-lovers. The story begins with Darcy arriving at Elizabeth’s small town to spend the season. Darcy and Elizabeth’s first encounter at the ball is disastrous. Darcy makes a negative comment about Elizabeth, and she spends the rest of the night teasing him about it. Darcy is too proud, and Elizabeth is prejudiced against his arrogant and aloof exterior. After many misunderstandings and a marriage proposal that is more fit to be a roast than a love confession, they slowly resolve their issues and finally come together.

Wuthering Heights

Dark romance was born here. One day, Mr. Earnshaw returns from a trip with a young orphan, Heathcliff, who is around the same age as his children, whom he has decided to take in. From that moment onward, Catherine, Mr. Earnshaw’s daughter, and Heathcliff are inseparable. Things take a turn when Mr. Earnshaw dies and Hindley, his son, becomes the patriarch. Hindley does everything to downgrade Heathcliff, setting in motion a chain of events filled with strong, dark feelings that carry over into the following generation. Heathcliff and Catherine never get their happy ending in this life, but their love transcends into the afterlife. 

The Great Gatsby

This classic would have been categorised as contemporary fiction in its day. Set during the Roaring Twenties, it truly reflects its era. It tells the story of Jay Gatsby, a self-proclaimed billionaire, who throws extravagant parties in the hope that his former lover, Daisy, will attend one and that they will be reunited. Make no mistake, though, this is not a romance. Daisy represents a motive, but the story is really about how famous Gatsby was, yet no one actually knew him, and how that era was all about flash and no substance.

Animal Farm

George Orwell, the author of Animal Farm, is one of the founding fathers of dystopian literature. At the surface level, this could seem like a kids’ story with animals, but the symbolism in it can’t be missed. The farm animals plan to overthrow Mr. Jones, the farm owner, under the leadership of two pigs, Napoleon and Snowball, as he is perceived as an unfair and oppressive owner. They set the Seven Commandments, the most important one being “All animals are equal.” We watch things go downhill until those Seven Commandments are totally changed. The most important one becomes “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”

The Picture of Dorian Gray

Dorian Gray is new in town, and everyone is taken by him. His friend Basil, so fascinated by Dorian’s beauty, paints a picture of him and swears that he changed his art forever. Dorian’s character changes drastically throughout the novel, and it’s mainly due to the hedonistic influences of his friend, Lord Henry.  Later, Dorian is adamant about not letting anyone see that picture. So, what is all the mystery surrounding Dorian Gray and his portrait? This novel is short and perfect for those who want a head-scratcher with a hint of horror.

Reading classics doesn’t have to be intimidating or feel like a school assignment. These classics make you invested in the characters and their stories. Which one would you pick up for your next read?