Recommended Classics?

[Ella]

I want to read more classic literature, and I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for me. Wuthering Heights is my all-time favourite novel, and I was hoping for something similar to read. I know there is nothing exactly like it, it is a very unique book, but if anyone can recommend me anything in the slightest bit similar, I would really appreciate it :)

[Kitty]

Well Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier is highly influenced by wuthering heights (wild landscapes, heathcliff types and family squabbles galore). Its not exactly a "classic" but its a pretty good quick read if you are suffering from bronte withdrawal. Also, "The Master of Ballantrae" by Robert Louis Stevenson is a perfect follow up novel - has the same fractured narrative, unreliable narrators and wild scenery. To add to the romance the whole novel begins upon the flip of a coin. I'm not sure if Stevenson actually read Wuthering Heights but Master of Ballantrae reminds me so much of it I feel he must have done. As to the narrative style I am always drawn to compare Wuthering Heights to Frankenstein, although I'm not sure anyone else is! Both Frankenstein and Ballantrae are amongst my favourite novels (along with wuthering) so I'd really recommend them. Its not really that similar but "The Meaning of Night" by Micheal Cox is a book that I don't feel gets enough recognition so I'm going to go ahead and encourage you to check it out anyway! Its much more in the style of a Wilkie Collins sensation novel than anything but is pretty much a pastiche of all victorian literature. Most of the other Bronte sisters work is quite different (far more bothered with boring morals and social moires :D ) but Jane Eyre has the same intermittent supernaturalism of Wuthering and has a similar tone. Also have you read any of emily bronte's poetry? It will all be up online somewhere and its wonderfully unusual. Most poeple would probably reccommend Hardy and Dickens but their storytelling is quite different in tones and structure from bronte so I wouldn't put them top of my list (although perhaps desperate remedies by Hardy could be a good shout). This has been much longer than intended but as a fellow lover of Wuthering Heights I couldn't resist!

[Ella]

Kitty wrote: "Well Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier is highly influenced by wuthering heights (wild landscapes, heathcliff types and family squabbles galore). Its not exactly a "classic" but its a pretty good qu..."

Thank you so much, I really appreciate all the recommendations. These all sound so intriguing, I'll definitely give them a go :) I just adore Wuthering Heights, and I am grateful for everything you have recommended - I am most certainly suffering from Bronte withdrawal, like you say :)
I have read Jane Eyre and loved it - is Villette as good? - I have heard people singing its praises!

[Kitty]

I'm currently only a chapter into Villette (and have been for months - damn my degree!!!) but am enjoying the set up. There's also this really weird list:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/simila...

But the only book Id really recommend on there is les liaisons dangereuses - I hated agnes grey

[Cate (The Professional Fangirl)]

Jane Eyre is my favorite book of all time. When everyone is loving Mr. Darcy, my heart belongs to Mr. Edward Rochester.

[Rachel]

Cate (The Professional Fangirl) wrote: "Jane Eyre is my favorite book of all time. When everyone is loving Mr. Darcy, my heart belongs to Mr. Edward Rochester."
I completely agree.

[Sorrel]

I would second the suggestion of Jamaica Inn, which I really enjoyed and maybe also add the suggestion of the Poldark books by Winston Graham which I haven't personally read but have heard are really good (also I've loved the TV program so far).

[Ella]

Thanks for all the suggestions, I really appreciate it - I will certainly check these out.

[Caryarit]

pride and prejudice

[Ella]

krystal wrote: "Villette is really good! I'm only two chapters into Wuthering Heights so I don't know how similar they are but I think Villette is definitely worth checking out"

I'll certainly give it a go then :)
I have heard that Villette contains a lot of French - is it a bother having to translate it?
If you like darker classics, you'll love Wuthering Heights - I absolutely adore it, but I think it is the kind of book that can be likened to Marmite, in the respect that you'll either love it or hate it :)

[Hannah]

Dickens! David Copperfield is a very special favorite.

[Ella]

krystal wrote: "Ella wrote: "I have heard that Villette contains a lot of French - is it a bother having to translate it?"

There is quite a lot, so I think it is better you know what it means. But I read it with ..."

Oh, thank you - I will try and get hold of a Penguin version :)