5 CLASSIC READS YOU CAN FINISH IN A DAY
“I don't read as much as I used to," a common grumble goes. One excuse cited is lack of time, especially if you've graduated from university and have landed yourself on a hectic, demanding job. Big, fat books now look a little intimidating to you! A true bookworm never makes excuses, though. But, if your reading habit is indeed gathering rust because of lack of time and energy, here're 5 quick-reads under 200 pages that will rejuvenate the reader in you.
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
What would you do if you wake up one fine morning to discover that you have turned into a bug? That's exactly what happens to Gregor Samsa, a travelling salesman. Instead of giving any reason why such an odd tragedy hits him, Kafka focuses on how the burdensome Gregor and his family tries to adjust with this rather repulsive condition. It's one of the best - and the saddest - stories you'll ever read.
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Kafka burned a lot of his writings, and instructed in his will to burn his remaining works, unread. Book burning has existed for ages, in some form or other. Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 deals with this concept. It talks of a futuristic society where books are banned and the job of firemen is to burn all and any that are found. It's a thrilling read on the topic of censorship. Needless to say, this book is extremely relevant in today's world.
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
"Fish," he said, "I love you and respect you very much. But I will kill you dead before this day ends."
It is one of the best works by the Nobel laureate. This small book (about 100 pages) tells a story that revolves around an old fisherman, who does not have luck out on the waters for many long days. And then, one day, a huge marlin falls under his trap. The marlin fights for survival, as determined as the old man who won't let it escape. It's a gripping tale - of the hunter and the animal, of hard work versus luck, and of willpower of the mind and body.
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
George and Lennie are an unlikely pair, being poles apart. But yet they are family to each other. Set in the backdrop of the Great Depression in America, the story is about two ranch workers and their shared ambition: to have a piece of land one day that they can call their own. Drifters in search of work, they try to make their way to their goal in this unforgiving world.
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
Nope. This is not a book about the Buddha. It is, however, a work of fiction about a man (named Siddhartha) who lived during the time of Buddha. But the protagonist, too, much like Buddha, goes out on a spiritual journey of self-discovery. And it gives you a twinge of excitement when Siddhartha actually meets Buddha and has a conversation with him in person!
These five works of literature are rather 'tiny', and you can indeed finish off a book a day. Nevertheless, they are powerhouses of fiction that will not fail to move you, and perhaps, bring back the enthusiasm of reading that you once had.
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