Ten Must-Read Classics by Women Writers

Classics are a gateway to the mysterious world hidden from us; they reveal layer upon layer the realities of the social milieu of an era bygone. You pick up a book, immerse yourself for a few hours, and come back knowing about characters and their lives that may seem improbable in today’s world or perhaps relate to you in a way that this passage of time feels redundant.

Writers play a vital role in shaping the future of the literary world, passing on the baton from one generation to the next, preserving what they can in their books, and mirroring the truth, both good and the ugly with a hint of probable future.

Here is a selection of ten Classics written by women writers who were eons ahead of their time, both in style and content.

Persuasion by Jane Austen

Jane Austen is one of the best-known authors of English literature. ‘Persuasion’ is the last completed work of Jane Austen that was published posthumously in 1817. The story revolves around Anne Elliot, a young and intelligent woman who turns down the proposal from Fredrick Wentworth under her family’s influence, for his social status isn’t considered to be an appropriate match. Eight years down, the two meet once again but under a changed scenario, and the feelings are somewhat rekindled.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Jane Eyre is the story of an orphan who lives in adversity but is resilient in her endeavor to find financial independence once her education is completed. Bronte’s prowess in depicting the romance between Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester is unparalleled. The imagery of Thornfield Hall is to live forever with you once you have read this book.

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

This enigmatic psychological thriller has the readers tied to the cliffhanger for most parts. An unnamed protagonist, a young girl’s journey from a non-descript existence to becoming Maxim de Winter’s second wife is haunting and poignant at the same time. Rebecca, the wealthy man’s wife who passed away in an accident, exerts her presence in Manderley as if she walked alive amongst the people living there. It is a literary marvel how Daphne du Maurier ties the past and the present in a complex narrative style.

The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim

A beautiful book that brings together the lives of four women – unrelated at the start of the story – deciding to stay at an Italian villa for a month, away from their dreary lives in London.

As Lotty, Rose, Mrs. Fisher, and Lady Caroline arrive at the villa, they gradually open to each other and their stories reveal hurt, deceit, and unmitigated sorrows. The setting of the story plays a significant role in healing these women, creating bonds, and restoring peace and tranquility that can only be found in a place closer to nature.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

This is a heartwarming tale of four March sisters – Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy set during the Civil War period. Their mother, Marmee is a loving character who instills the values of morality and helping the poor in her children. It is a difficult time for the March family too, but sail through with their affection for each other, facing the odds and yet coming together even stronger. Coming of age had been a major theme around that time which gave a potent platform for the writers, especially women writers to voice the aspirations and dreams of the new generation. Women wanted to come out of domestic obligations to claim their spaces and find love on their own terms.

Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

A single day’s story has the impact of affecting you emotionally and touching many lives and themes. At the start of the book Mrs. Dalloway, the wealthy upper-class woman in her fifties is busy preparing for a party at her house in Westminster. Involved in the arrangements, she goes back and forth remembering her days before marriage and then finally arriving here. Parallelly, there is the character of Septimus Smith, a soldier who has come back from the war but the realities of the battle have left him disoriented. As the book progresses, it delves deeper into these two characters and their inner journeys.  

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte

The second novel by Anne Bronte and so different from her first one – Agnes Grey. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall touches upon some of the most pertinent themes of domestic violence, alcoholism, marriage, and custody laws. It is written in a unique way of journal entries and letters. Helen Graham, the widow who is the new tenant at Wildfell Hall is a cause of intrigue for the neighbours in the village. Gilbert Markham, the young farmer from the neighbhourhood is inclined towards Helen and unearths the dark secret of her past.  

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Catherine and Heathcliff’s romance stirs the readers even today, for it is wrapped in destruction. It is dark and desolate, from the setting to the characters, something that comes unanticipated from a female writer, especially from the Victorian era. The story revolves around Catherine and Earnshaw and Heathcliff, an orphan adopted by Catherine’s father. However, Catherine’s brother ill-treats Heathcliff from the beginning but Catherine finds love in Heathcliff. But as things turn sour between the two, the novel becomes grimmer and darker.   

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

Scarlett O’Hara is one of the best female literary characters, unapologetic and unrelenting. Her life strewn between the Civil War and its aftermath is the spine of this book. It may seem a lengthier read but the pace and the emotional journey compensates for it. As the book begins, Scarlett is a stubborn sixteen-year-old girl, living on her own terms until things begin to shatter around her and she is required to transform into a woman who takes up the responsibility for her family. 

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

As Scout Finch, the young girl in a town in Alabama growing up in the 1930s narrates the story of racial discrimination and injustice. The sheer innocence of the children, curious to understand the world, and courageously stepping up to have a closer look at the world is what makes this book an incredibly special experience.

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These ten books offer a diverse range of themes and genres, each with a captivating story and the power to touch you emotionally.

This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon 2023