12 HARDER CLASSICS TO TEST YOU.

Welcome to our deep dive into some of the most challenging yet rewarding classic books! In this video, we explore 12 literary masterpieces that delve into the complexities of the human condition. From existential struggles and moral dilemmas to the harsh realities of life, these books are a must-read for any avid reader.

Books Featured:

Fathers and Children by Ivan Turgenev
Moby Dick by Herman Melville
The House of the Dead by Fyodor Dostoevsky
The Gods Want Blood by Anatole France
The Way of All Flesh by Samuel Butler
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
The 4 Great Tragedies of Shakespeare

Whether you're a literature student, a book enthusiast, or simply looking to challenge yourself with some deep reading, this video is perfect for you. These books not only offer rich storytelling but also provide insights into the human psyche and societal issues.

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[StefanTrifonov-tr]

I love it that your videos are so long! In the age of short, five minute forgettable teasers, yours have a luxurious, immersive feel. Keep going!

[Tbac_]

Tristan. You are the teacher I never had but always wanted. (Or never appreciated when I was young?) 🤔
Thank you for your erudition. Your channel is always time well spent.

[P.J.Peterson]

In Moby Dick, the dry’ chapters detailing “whale biology” are crucial chapters that reinforce the truth that no matter how much humans think they know (through science, for example) they will never fully comprehend the mystery of God/nature. When the sailors are finally confronted by Moby Dick at the end, they’re only able to see glimpses of the majestic beast, their knowledge of him is restricted.

[juttah.]

I recently read "The Idiot" by Dostoevsky and after finishing it I immidiatly started reading it all over again (different translation). That never happened before. I admire Dostoevsky so much, he was the best auhtor of all time. When I die I want to have read all his books at least once.

[twirlacane]

I am so happy to have discovered this channel! I have read Moby Dick, The Grapes of Wrath, Lord Jim, MacBeth, and have started Crime and Punishment.

[Mikados_Advark]

Love this chap. So full of energy and genuine enthusiasm for the subject.

He explains “so well, even my wife who is Italian and doesn’t read books, was drawn in to his descriptions and exclamations.

Keep up the good work

[severianthefool]

Came for the books, stayed for the five o’clock shadow.

[dataspice]

One that I find difficult is 'The Magic Mountain.' The setting is a sanitorium in the Swiss Alps where convalescents sit at table, or go for walks, and exchange ideas. Relentlessly. Not much action.

[grahammacgregor]

I really am feasting on your excellent videos, which I happened to discover over this weekend. Count me in as one more "bookish friend" (from far off Oregon, U.S) I wanted to mention another "harder" classic, which others may wish to explore. That is The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann. I found it very moving and worthwhile, even though it is a bit of slog in parts, getting through. It's a novel to really take your time reading.

[martinufan]

I'd love to see a video on the advantages of READING ALOUD by yourself. I've been doing it for years with Shakespeare, but have found that, especially with a difficult book, the physical effort helps to keep me more engaged. I often read the same page aloud when reading challenging books to get into the "flow" of meaning and to imprint the author's style more deeply in my consciousness. For me, it's really a deeper dive into comprehension with the added benefit of giving your "inner actor" a chance to show their stuff. So, isolate yourself so you don't bother others, and let 'er rip! After you've read the same page a few times, you'll feel like a performer!.

[agfairfield]

I love the comment that “bad readers” make quick judgments of characters according to the contemporary standards. I was once in a reading group for “Our Mutual Friend” and often found my highly educated GenX Irish co-readers astonishingly superficial at times.

[OrdenJust]

One time I was soaking in the bath tub, reading a paperback copy of "The Way of All Flesh". After a while, I decided to set the book down, so, without looking, I reached over to set the book on the toilet seat. Next thing, I hear a splash. I had not set the lid of the toilet seat down! Then it struck me: the way of all flesh, indeed!

[mikedl]

I read Crime and Punishment last week. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Now that I'm a middle-aged man I think I understood it more than when I read it in high school. I'm going to take on The Devils next

[jonathonglover]

I’ve read 6 of these (4 tragedies, Grapes of Wrath and Fathers and Children), currently reading 1 (Moby Dick), will soon read another (Crime and Punishment) and discovered 2 new novels (Gods Want Blood and Way of the Flesh). Great list!!

[debbiebyrdsmith]

Othello!! I think it may have been where I was in my life but my feelings kept going to Desdemona who, innocent and loyal, paid such a huge price for the ego, ambition and envy of power & pride over love. I sobbed over that book.

[marklawley]

Hubert Dreyfus has a very nice set of lectures on YouTube that focus on the philosophical aspects of Moby Dick that really helped me understand the novel and Melville.

[JoMichael-ikwy]

Another great video, Tristan! I read 10 of the 12 half a century ago, and I'm currently reading Crime and Punishment. As a youngster I read these works for the stories, so it's time now to re-read them for the underlying "message" that you've pointed out so cogently.

[charliewest]

I have always been fascinated by the enduring questions of fate, destiny, seed and bloodline. I was particularly drawn to the following passage from, "The Way of All Flesh". It is extracted from a crucial juncture in the life of the protagonist.

"Accidents which happen to a man before he is born, in the persons of his ancestors, will, if he remembers them at all, leave an indelible impression on him; they will have moulded his character so that, do what he will, it is hardly possible for him to escape their consequences. If a man is to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, he must do so, not only as a little child, but as a little embryo, or rather as a little zoosperm—and not only this, but as one that has come of zoosperms which have entered into the Kingdom of Heaven before him for many generations. Accidents which occur for the first time, and belong to the period
since a man’s last birth, are not, as a general rule, so permanent in their effects, though of course they may sometimes be so. At any rate, I was not displeased at the view which Ernest’s father took of the situation."


(Chapter LXIII)

[margaretinsydney]

What a list! I love your tip about putting yourself inside each character and not just the hero. Apparently, Margaret Atwood has done this in Testament, letting us see the story through the eyes of one of the villains of The Handmaid's Tale.
I've read a few of these books, and I have a couple more on my shelves. I absolutely love The Way of All Flesh, and I love all of Conrad.
I'm also working my way through your Shakespeare videos, which are awesome!😊

[KathrynTanner-tf]

Great video, Tristan! Pretty good reader, I think, and I gravitate toward what I call "big, scary books, " which are those meaty works that do much more than just tell a story and can draw you deeply into thought and history and humanity. And take considerable work and, ideally, a community of fellow readers, to fully absorb. Your list includes books I know of but have not read or not read recently. Thanks for the reading pep talk! Loved it.