Buzz
Callimachus, the librarian of Alexandria, once declared, "A big book is a big evil." Today, publishers often overlook shorter works from new authors, assuming that a slim book lacks depth. Here are ten exceptional books my teacher called ‘one-sit reads.’ Note: The time you spend may depend on your patience and seating comfort.
10. The Old Man and the Sea Ernest Hemingway
This novel earned Hemingway both the Pulitzer and Nobel Prizes, an impressive feat for a book of just 110 pages. It follows Santiago, an aging Cuban fisherman who hasn’t caught a fish in 84 days. His streak is so dire that his loyal assistant, Manolin, has had to find other work. On the 85th day, Santiago ventures into new waters and hooks a massive marlin, leading to a physical and mental battle between man and fish. Hemingway avoided explicit symbolism, allowing readers to draw their own meanings, a quality that has kept the book beloved since its release.
9. The Stranger Albert Camus
Another Nobel Prize-winning work, though starkly different from Hemingway’s rugged tales, *The Stranger* follows Meursault, a man who shows no emotion at his mother’s funeral. He later helps a friend seek revenge on an allegedly unfaithful girlfriend, leading to Meursault inexplicably killing a man. His apathy and atheism outrage society, resulting in a death sentence. As he awaits execution, Meursault reflects on the universe’s indifference, finding solace in its ‘gentle indifference.’ This philosophical masterpiece may require more than one sitting to fully grasp its depth.
8. Animal Farm George Orwell
Described by Orwell as a fairy tale, *Animal Farm* serves as an allegory for the totalitarian regimes of the 1930s, particularly Stalin’s Soviet Union. In just over a hundred pages, Orwell depicts a revolution on Manor Farm, where animals overthrow their human masters, only to see their utopian dreams corrupted. The story critiques every segment of society for enabling totalitarianism: the mindless sheep blindly obeying orders, the cunning pigs exploiting others’ labor, the intellectual donkey who remains passive, and the hardworking horse who blindly trusts authority. These flaws are all too human.
7. All Quiet on the Western Front Erich Maria Remarque
*All Quiet on the Western Front* portrays the lost generation of young men sent to fight in World War I. Narrated by Paul Bäumer, it explores the alienation soldiers feel from their pre-war lives and the disconnect with those at home. Initially driven by patriotism and Homeric ideals, the boys are pressured to enlist by older men. As the war progresses, Bäumer loses all his friends and becomes indifferent to the future. The book concludes with the stark message, “Nothing new in the west,” reducing the soldiers’ sacrifices to a single line for those they fought for.
6. The Sorrows of Young Werther Johann von Goethe
Upon its release, this book triggered a wave of suicides, so it’s best read when emotionally stable. The narrative unfolds through letters exchanged between the passionate young Werther and his more grounded friend. Werther, a romantic soul drawn to art and poetry, is pressured by his father to pursue a career. While in the countryside, he falls deeply in love with Charlotte, or Lotte, despite her engagement. This unrequited love consumes him, and when Lotte’s fiancé (later husband), Albert, insists Werther stay away, it drives him to take his own life. Dressed in the suit he wore when he first met Lotte, Werther shoots himself. Goethe, known for grander works, grew weary of being solely associated with *Werther*. Yet, in his later years, he acknowledged that experiencing such intense emotions, at least once, was essential.
5. The Picture of Dorian Gray Oscar Wilde
*The Picture of Dorian Gray* is quintessentially Wildean, brimming with wit and lavish descriptions. It follows Dorian Gray, a wealthy and innocent young man, whose descent into corruption raises questions about whether society or his own nature is to blame. When a portrait captures his youthful beauty, Dorian wishes the painting would age instead of him. As he indulges in sin, the portrait bears the marks of his moral decay, growing grotesque. Unable to face the disfigured image, Dorian hides it in his attic. Attempts at redemption through good deeds feel hollow, and ultimately, he kills his closest friend and destroys the painting, ending the curse of his wish. The novel’s subtle hints of homosexuality scandalized Victorian sensibilities, making it a compelling read even today.
4. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
The Little Prince is a timeless children’s book that resonates with readers of all ages. Its seemingly straightforward narrative follows a Prince who governs an asteroid and embarks on a journey to Earth. Along the way, he encounters adults ruling their own asteroids, each a brilliant satire. One such character is a king who wants to execute a rat he believes inhabits his asteroid but would also spare it if caught, reasoning, 'For the economy’s sake. There’s only one rat.' While some argue the book’s conclusion may be too intense for young readers, others find its depth challenging even for adults.
3. Night by Elie Wiesel
Night recounts Wiesel’s harrowing experiences as a young boy during the Holocaust. Through Eliezer, his fictional counterpart, we meet a devout Jewish youth eager to study the Kabbalah. However, the Second World War disrupts his life as Hungary enforces anti-Jewish measures. The narrative details Eliezer’s loss of his mother and sister in the concentration camps, his strained relationship with his father, and his struggle with faith in a world that permits such atrocities. Despite enduring unimaginable suffering, Eliezer survives, only to grapple with the aftermath of the Holocaust. For readers who find Night too intense, Wiesel’s other works, Dawn and Day, offer additional perspectives.
2. Candide by Voltaire
Candide follows a young man mentored by Pangloss, a philosopher who insists that this is the best of all possible worlds and that everything happens for a reason. The story rigorously challenges this philosophy by exposing the characters to relentless suffering, including natural disasters, violence, poverty, and disease. Despite enduring countless horrors, Pangloss remains blindly optimistic. Candide, however, grows disillusioned, realizing that while this may not be the best world, it is the only one we have, and we must strive to make the best of it. As he concludes, 'We must tend our gardens.'
1. A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
A Clockwork Orange, arguably the most infamous entry on this list, was penned in a mere three weeks as a quick way to generate income. Burgess later expressed regret over its creation, feeling it was widely misinterpreted. Set in a bleak, dystopian future, the novel centers on a gang of youths who indulge in acts of 'ultra-violence.' The narrative unflinchingly depicts their atrocities, with Alex, the protagonist, narrating in a detached, almost apathetic tone. The story explores Alex’s rehabilitation from his violent tendencies and his struggle to reintegrate into society. A must-read for fans of Kubrick’s film adaptation, as the book’s concluding chapter dramatically alters the story’s interpretation.
