The one thing I like most about Victorian literature is that the writers of that era follow for the most part my first rule in crafting a good novel: Have a story that is worth telling.
Very enjoyable video. I would also recommend Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell, Silas Marner by George Eliot and Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy - all are accessible and fun Victorian reads.
I would hold off on Hardy. A lot of people hate his writing style or find it hard to read. Definitely put on TBR, but probably not as an introduction for someone just getting into Victorian literature.
Yea Cranford almost made the list, but I decided to pick one Gaskell. I don't think George Eliot is a great place to start with Victorian literature, but I've only read Middlemarch and The Mill on the Floss.
@@BlatantlyBookish I didn't like The Mill on the Floss and Middlemarch - although great - is not the place to start. Silas Marner is short and charming: you should try it.
Great list Marissa! I would add aTrollope, probably one of his stand-alones like Miss McKenzie which is the first one of his that I read, and it was a good way to start. Jane Eyre was also my first Victorian read. I read it when I was 19 or 20, so past my teenage years, but it was an eye-opening read.
Thank you! Yea, I wanted to put a Trollope on here, but I haven't read enough of his standalones to confidently suggest something as a first introduction to Victorian literature. There are so many Trollope books I still want to get around to reading.
Hello Marissa 🍂 I have been reading Victorian literature for years, however, I’m embarrassed to admit that I have never read Jane Eyre. So, of course, Jane Eyre is my primary read for Victober this year. My TBR is full, as is everyone’s, but definitely beginning Jane Eyre today. Happy Victober 🍁🧡
This is a great video! I’ve read all but North and South. That’s an interesting choice for an intro book to Victorian literature. Your discussions of each book are clear and entertaining! First Victorian book: Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Then I found Oliver Twist and I’ve never looked back.
The Bronte sisters (all died young, they lived up against the church graveyard which polluted their drinking water when it rained). Anne: Tenet of Wildfell Hall (I liked this one best). Emily: Wuthering Heights. (probably is the best, but not my favorite). Charlotte: Jane Eyre (the biggest seller then, and now).
I think the first Victorian novels I ever read were Oliver Twist and then A Christmas Carol. I wasn’t much more than 12 or so when I was reading them. I really enjoyed them but didn’t take to other Charles Dickens books for a number of years. From there I went onto the Brontes and Elizabeth Gaskell among others. Now, many years later I’m still finding new Victorian novels to try - for example Mary Elizabeth Braddon’s books. Happy Victober.
If memory serves me correctly, my first Victorian novel was A Christmas Carol; my grandmother read it to me as a child every year I spent Christmas with her. As an adult, upon returning to Victorian literature, Jane Eyre and The Picture of Dorian Gray were my firsts. This year, l am trying Elizabeth Gaskell and Mary Elizabeth Braddon for the first time.
The first book was The Time Machine, I was 9 and saw the movie, I didn't even know who Queen Victoria was yet. But I fell in the love with both book and the movie with Rod Taylor.
I've read Jane Eyre twice & really want to love Jane but it hasn't happened. 😢 It was ok for me. I do love George Eliot & Anthony Trollope. He has great short novels; Rachel Ray, Miss Mackenzie and Lady Anna for example. Love Wilkie Collins too! Reading Jezebel's Daughter right now. 🧡 Lois the Witch was great from Elizabeth Gaskell & pretty short & perfect for October. 🙂 Great video!! 🧡
Aw, I'm sorry you never really connected with Jane. I wonder if I had read her for the first time later in life if I would have still formed such a strong affinity for her. I love Trollope, but I had a hard time picking something for this list. I haven't read enough of his shorter works or standalones to feel confident suggesting something by him for beginners. And yes, Lois the Witch was great! I read it years ago and its so perfect for October. Happy Victober! 💕📚
I just put out my October TBR and I have some Victorian books and I need to pick one! You really are selling me on Jane Eyre. Her story sounds really good. Also The Picture of Dorian Gray is another one that I have. I picked up a bunch of books from my library so I have plenty to go through. I definitely want to read at least one this month, but it would be nice if I could read a couple.
How wonderful! They're all phenomenal books, so I'm delighted to hear you've read them all. It sounds like you aren't a beginner to Victorian literature at all. 💕📚
HAPPY VICTOBER MARISSA! My first novel was Jane Eyre, as well. The only book I have re-read numerous times. This is a great video, very well done to start off Victober, thank you.🧡
First Victorian novels I ever read were Alice in wonderland and through the looking glass - as a child Then in school the first one would of been Silas Marner by George Eliot (I do not recommend to start with this one lol )
The first Victorian book I've ever read was either Oliver Twist or Alice in Wonderland. We read both for school, but I read them in translation in my native language - Croatian. Of course, I re-read them years later in English. I've read most of the books you mentioned and they are great to start with Victorian literature! Happy first day of Victober!🎉
Thank you and welcome to my channel! Apologies for the belated response, but I'm delighted that you've made your way to my little corner of the internet. I hope you enjoyed Jane Eyre and Victober in general! Happy reading 📚💕
Hi Marissa, I think my first Victorian book (other than Little Women) was The woman in White because it was one of my parent’s books that I had at my fingertips when I was about 16 and I loved it and The Moonstone. Then of course Jane Eyre which I loved. Now I am reading Frankenstein, which I am enjoying and I think it reads like a fairytale. I have a huge pile on my TBR but some modern books too and I’m a mood reader so we’ll just see what happens. I wanted to get to Dr. Thorne, and Agnes Gray and The Tennant of Wildfell Hall. Thank you.😊
You have some wonderful books to choose from! I hope your Victober is off to a fantastic start, and I can't wait to hear what you get around to reading! 💕📚
My first Victorian novel was also Jane Eyre. I think my next books that I chose myself were Three Men in a Boat and Cranford. I always loved British books of the nineteenth century, but did not focus on those that were Victorian until I started doing Victober a few years ago. (I am a big Jane Austen fan.) I read Great Expectations in a fifth grade reading group.
I know these are good because they are most of the books I read in high school that got me into classics in the first place (I didn't get to the woman in white yet though).
The Picture of Dorian Gray is on my list for this year. I thought Agnes Grey and Oliver Twist were very easy to start with. Oh, I forgot Treasure Island. Very readable.
I actually almost put Agnes Grey and Treasure Island on the list, but I felt like they were on a slightly different tier than these books for me. I hope you enjoy The Picture of Dorian Gray! 💕📚
The one thing I like most about Victorian literature is that the writers of that era follow for the most part my first rule in crafting a good novel: Have a story that is worth telling.
Yes! I could not agree more. 💕📚
I've read many of these, but I absolutely love the way you described each book! There wasn't a single book I didn't want to read or re-read...
Very enjoyable video. I would also recommend Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell, Silas Marner by George Eliot and Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy - all are accessible and fun Victorian reads.
I would hold off on Hardy. A lot of people hate his writing style or find it hard to read. Definitely put on TBR, but probably not as an introduction for someone just getting into Victorian literature.
Yea Cranford almost made the list, but I decided to pick one Gaskell. I don't think George Eliot is a great place to start with Victorian literature, but I've only read Middlemarch and The Mill on the Floss.
@@BlatantlyBookish I didn't like The Mill on the Floss and Middlemarch - although great - is not the place to start. Silas Marner is short and charming: you should try it.
@@Cmallon81 Totally agree - I am a huge fan of Victorian literature but do not care much for Hardy.
What a well loved copy of Jane Eyre! ❤❤
Great suggestions!
Oh thank you! I got it used from a book sale years ago and loved how worn it was. I have a soft spot for well-worn books. ❤️
Great list Marissa! I would add aTrollope, probably one of his stand-alones like Miss McKenzie which is the first one of his that I read, and it was a good way to start.
Jane Eyre was also my first Victorian read. I read it when I was 19 or 20, so past my teenage years, but it was an eye-opening read.
Thank you! Yea, I wanted to put a Trollope on here, but I haven't read enough of his standalones to confidently suggest something as a first introduction to Victorian literature. There are so many Trollope books I still want to get around to reading.
Hello Marissa 🍂 I have been reading Victorian literature for years, however, I’m embarrassed to admit that I have never read Jane Eyre. So, of course, Jane Eyre is my primary read for Victober this year. My TBR is full, as is everyone’s, but definitely beginning Jane Eyre today. Happy Victober 🍁🧡
Ah I hope you enjoy Jane Eyre! Happy Victober! 📚💕
Best wishes with your reading choices. Best wishes.
❤📚📚❤️ Great beginner choices. I have The Picture of Dorian Gray on my October tbr. I've read the others and enjoyed them!
Thank you! I hope you enjoy The Picture of Dorian Gray! It's phenomenal 💕📚
This is a great video! I’ve read all but North and South. That’s an interesting choice for an intro book to Victorian literature.
Your discussions of each book are clear and entertaining!
First Victorian book: Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Then I found Oliver Twist and I’ve never looked back.
Thank you! I hope you have a wonderful Victober! 💕📚
The Bronte sisters (all died young, they lived up against the church graveyard which polluted their drinking water when it rained).
Anne: Tenet of Wildfell Hall (I liked this one best).
Emily: Wuthering Heights. (probably is the best, but not my favorite).
Charlotte: Jane Eyre (the biggest seller then, and now).
I think the first Victorian novels I ever read were Oliver Twist and then A Christmas Carol. I wasn’t much more than 12 or so when I was reading them. I really enjoyed them but didn’t take to other Charles Dickens books for a number of years. From there I went onto the Brontes and Elizabeth Gaskell among others. Now, many years later I’m still finding new Victorian novels to try - for example Mary Elizabeth Braddon’s books. Happy Victober.
Yes, one thing I love about the Victorians is how prolific they were. I feel like there are always new authors to discover. Happy Victober! 💕📚
If memory serves me correctly, my first Victorian novel was A Christmas Carol; my grandmother read it to me as a child every year I spent Christmas with her. As an adult, upon returning to Victorian literature, Jane Eyre and The Picture of Dorian Gray were my firsts. This year, l am trying Elizabeth Gaskell and Mary Elizabeth Braddon for the first time.
Thank you for sharing that wonderful memory of your grandmother. I hope you enjoy Gaskell this year! Happy Victober! 💕📚
I love North and South by Gaskell ;)
The first book was The Time Machine, I was 9 and saw the movie, I didn't even know who Queen Victoria was yet. But I fell in the love with both book and the movie with Rod Taylor.
That's such a wonderful introduction to Victorian literature! 💕
@@BlatantlyBookish It's still a favorite.☺
I've read Jane Eyre twice & really want to love Jane but it hasn't happened. 😢
It was ok for me. I do love George Eliot & Anthony Trollope. He has great short novels; Rachel Ray, Miss Mackenzie and Lady Anna for example.
Love Wilkie Collins too! Reading Jezebel's Daughter right now. 🧡
Lois the Witch was great from Elizabeth Gaskell & pretty short & perfect for October. 🙂
Great video!! 🧡
Aw, I'm sorry you never really connected with Jane. I wonder if I had read her for the first time later in life if I would have still formed such a strong affinity for her. I love Trollope, but I had a hard time picking something for this list. I haven't read enough of his shorter works or standalones to feel confident suggesting something by him for beginners. And yes, Lois the Witch was great! I read it years ago and its so perfect for October. Happy Victober! 💕📚
I just put out my October TBR and I have some Victorian books and I need to pick one! You really are selling me on Jane Eyre. Her story sounds really good. Also The Picture of Dorian Gray is another one that I have. I picked up a bunch of books from my library so I have plenty to go through. I definitely want to read at least one this month, but it would be nice if I could read a couple.
It sounds like you have a wonderful pile of Victorian literature to choose from, and can't go wrong with whatever you pick. Happy Victober! 📚💕
Thanks you for your introduction. I'm surprised to find out that I have read all the books you introduced!
How wonderful! They're all phenomenal books, so I'm delighted to hear you've read them all. It sounds like you aren't a beginner to Victorian literature at all. 💕📚
I have read all of these books. My favorites were Jane Eyre and North and South. Thanks for your great videos!
Thank you! I guess we have similar taste in books 💕📚
HAPPY VICTOBER MARISSA! My first novel was Jane Eyre, as well. The only book I have re-read numerous times. This is a great video, very well done to start off Victober, thank you.🧡
Thank you! HAPPY VICTOBER! 📚💕
First Victorian novels I ever read were Alice in wonderland and through the looking glass - as a child
Then in school the first one would of been Silas Marner by George Eliot (I do not recommend to start with this one lol )
The first Victorian book I've ever read was either Oliver Twist or Alice in Wonderland. We read both for school, but I read them in translation in my native language - Croatian. Of course, I re-read them years later in English.
I've read most of the books you mentioned and they are great to start with Victorian literature!
Happy first day of Victober!🎉
Thank you for sharing, and happy Victober! I hope it's off to a great start! 📚💕
Love love love Jane Eyre! Looking forward to reading The Woman In White
Wonderful! Happy reading! 💕📚
It's amazing and instantly made me a huge fan of Wilkie Collins.
My first Victorian novel was... Jane Eyre ! And it's still my favourite book today. This october, I'm planning to read Oliver Twist.
Hooray for Jane Eyre! Happy Victober and happy reading! 📚💕
I am new to your channel. I did read Jane Eyre last month. Thank you for the recommendations, so helpful b
Thank you and welcome to my channel! Apologies for the belated response, but I'm delighted that you've made your way to my little corner of the internet. I hope you enjoyed Jane Eyre and Victober in general! Happy reading 📚💕
Hi Marissa, I think my first Victorian book (other than Little Women) was The woman in White because it was one of my parent’s books that I had at my fingertips when I was about 16 and I loved it and The Moonstone. Then of course Jane Eyre which I loved. Now I am reading Frankenstein, which I am enjoying and I think it reads like a fairytale. I have a huge pile on my TBR but some modern books too and I’m a mood reader so we’ll just see what happens. I wanted to get to Dr. Thorne, and Agnes Gray and The Tennant of Wildfell Hall. Thank you.😊
You have some wonderful books to choose from! I hope your Victober is off to a fantastic start, and I can't wait to hear what you get around to reading! 💕📚
Great Video! I'm coincidentally reading Jane Eyre a second time now. It's brilliant. Oh, golly, Miss Havisham one of my favorite characters too.
Thank you! Oh, I hope you enjoy your reread. Happy Victober! 📚💕
My first Victorian novel was also Jane Eyre. I think my next books that I chose myself were Three Men in a Boat and Cranford. I always loved British books of the nineteenth century, but did not focus on those that were Victorian until I started doing Victober a few years ago. (I am a big Jane Austen fan.) I read Great Expectations in a fifth grade reading group.
Great books all around! I'm so glad you've been enjoying the Victorians! 📚💕
When I was a teacher used Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde to explain drug abuse
Oh, interesting! Yea, it's a book that leads to so many interesting discussions.
Such great recommendations!
Sooo many amazing books all of which I’ve loved ❤❤
This will be my first Victober ;)
I hope it was a great first Victober! ❤️
I know these are good because they are most of the books I read in high school that got me into classics in the first place (I didn't get to the woman in white yet though).
Aw thanks Andreea! 📚💕
The Picture of Dorian Gray is on my list for this year. I thought Agnes Grey and Oliver Twist were very easy to start with. Oh, I forgot Treasure Island. Very readable.
I actually almost put Agnes Grey and Treasure Island on the list, but I felt like they were on a slightly different tier than these books for me. I hope you enjoy The Picture of Dorian Gray! 💕📚
@@BlatantlyBookish Thank you, me too.
Jane Eyre has an ick factor for me (and my wife) because of the “romance” plot.
Yea, I've found it less romantic and more problematic the more I reread it. As a teenager though, it really appealed to me.