A well known epic read for those who are in the mood to delve into some serious philosophical issues, tragic, exciting. Incredibly humane, it manages to inhabit both the intimate and the grand scale and draws characters that are completely…
- Genre Guide
- Staff-Created List
General fiction - 19th Century Classics - Christchurch City Libraries
If you have already read your way through better known 19th century novelists such as Austen or Dickens and can’t get enough of their vibrant characters and gripping narratives, why not try some lesser known literary classics by the following authors. A Christchurch City Libraries list.
StaffLibrary Staff
Christchurch City Libraries Ngā Kete Wānanga o Ōtautahi
21 items
War and Peace
a Novel
- Darcy’s Pride, Lizzie’s Prejudice, misunderstandings and adorable side romances - what’s not to love? Since its immediate success in 1813, 'Pride and Prejudice' has remained one of the most popular novels in the English language.
- This enduring classic is a must read for those who those who love a gripping story, as well as those who love beautiful, evocative prose. A story of two star crossed lovers, a young farmer falls in love with Lorna, the great grand daughter…
- Packed with mystery, intrigue, and many twists and turns, Lady Audley's Secret is a gripping narrative told briskly yet poetically. Braddon's classic tale tells the story of the beautiful but devious lady Audley and her scandalous secret…
- Set in the bleak Yorkshire Moors, this is a novel of transgression, passion and lust. This classically dark romance has achieved cult status through its haunting language and deft portrayal of an obsessive and dangerous love between…
- In this compelling and touching tribute to 'ordinary' women, their unsung lives, and untold stories, Bennett follows the lives of two sisters from their youth in their fathers drapery shop, to their later years in the industrial era.…
- In this unique text, one of history's finest thinkers looks at hero worship be it for priests, poets, revolutionaries or God- and what it is to be a hero worshiper. Whether you agree or disagree with Carlyle's views, this classic remains a…
- Orphaned at a young age, Jane has experienced more than her fair share of sorrow and loneliness. When she is employed by the rich and powerful Edward Rochester, she finds herself drawn to his enigmatic, brooding, complex nature, and…
- More than a mystery, Collins envelopes romance, vivid characters, and both domestic and exotic landscapes to create a literary masterpiece. In English literatures first detective novel, Wilkie Collins spins a captivating tale around the…
- A read that is densely layered filled with lyrical language and intense narratives. One for those who have time to really delve in and ruminate, a disturbing and powerful look at imperialism. Conrad's classic novel looks at what happens…
- Based on Disraeli's own experiences in the world of politics, Vivian Grey takes us through the hero's life from his childhood to his political ambitions running a doomed publication. A fascinating novel which perfectly captures the mood of…
- Set in post Napoleonic France, this thrilling classic tells the story of Edmond Dantes from his wrongful imprisonment in the fortess of the Chateau D'if to his reinvention as the powerful, mysterious, and vengeful Count of Monte Cristo.…
- Set in 19th century England, Middlemarch tells the story of various individuals in the province, including Dorothea Brooke, a young, idealistic woman with dreams of social change, Will Ladislaw, a passionate man with political promise, and…
- Described by some as being "Pride and Prejudice with a social conscience", Gaskells classic explores the harsh realities of life in the mills of 19th century northern England. Gaskell looks at the tempestuous relationship between self made…
- New grub street explores the lives of two Victorian authors and the rigorous demands they must meet both in their harsh urban lives and in their unforgiving profession. Realistic yet non-pitying, Gissing's narrative is an important look at…
- Isabel Archer, a spirited young woman from America, is determined to make her own choices when she arrives in Europe, but her decision to marry the charming Gilbert Osmond, will take her on a difficult journey to self discovery. This…
- When John Bold discovers that a good but simple English clergyman is in possession of an income exceeding his foundation, he makes it his mission to put right the apparent abuse of his position. A charming, humorous , and ultimately…
- When the talented but mordant Bazarov enters the home of his friend Arkady Kirsanov, his scepticism of Russian society and its hierarchy soon triggers arguments and even love affairs, in the Kirsanov family, transforming the household just…
- This touching classic makes for a poignant and perceptive read filled with lyrical language and captivating characters. In 'The Age of Innocence', Wharton looks at the pressures and hypocrisy of society in 20th century America. Newly…
- 'Therse Raquin' is the haunting story of how a terrible deed committed by one couple in order to remain together, literally, comes back to haunt them. Set in the dingy back streets of Paris, Zolas classic is a realist novel of passion,…
You've viewed 20 of 21 items