My bookclub always reads one classic a year, this time someone suggested reading a modern classic.  Not sure what that is.  Does anyone have any suggestions?

I'm assuming that "Modern" means that it was written in the 20th century, and "Classic" means everyone (or almost everyone) agrees that it's a great book. If I'm correct, then I would reccomend To Kill a Mockingbird. I know there was something else, and I'll post if I think of it.

Here is a link to books designated as "modern classics" on Goodreads: Popular Modern Classics. HOWEVER, this is a subjective list. I think anything before 1900  (and some might say later) does not qualify as "modern." But because a classic is a book that stands the test of time, I'd be skeptical of labeling any book written within the last 20 years or so as classic; some might say 25 years; some might say 30 years -- it's fairly arbitrary.

I do think most of us would agree that books such as To Kill a Mockingbird, Catcher in the Rye, Lord of the Flies are modern classics.  But labeling The Kite Runner, Atonement, or the Harry Potter books as modern classics is, I think, dubious.

Modern Library, which might be a better source, compiled in 1998 a few different lists of 20th c. books that would be good sources of modern classics: 100 Best Novels (includes both the board's choices and readers' choices); 100 Best Non-Fiction; and Radcliffe's Rival 100 Best Novels.

Good luck!

I read through that list Popular Modern Classics .and was surprised not to see As I Lay Dying.  Or Grapes of Wrath.  But really pleased to see Handmaid's Tale and The Color Purple.  I think that these lists are alway incomplete, but most, not all of the books, we read in High School English classes.

Thank you.  This was very helpful.

The Grapes of Wrath is one of the best books I've ever read. Heck, just about anything by Steinbeck is awesome!

MaryF

I agree! Steinbeck is phenomenal. I just finished Travels with Charley and it was great. The Pearl is good too. A little intense but would generate great discussion.

How about something by Graham Greene? The End of the Affair?

When anyone mentions "Modern Classics" to me, Steinbeck is the first thing that always pops into my mind.  "To Kill a Mockingbird" is a great book too!

I just read All the King's Men by Robert Penn Warren (won the Pulitzer Prize in the late 1940s) and it was excellent. I recommend it! (It's #36 on the Modern Library 100 Novels list linked above.)

I love Steinbeck too, but much prefer East of Eden to Grapes of Wrath.  Some other great modern classics are A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith, Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier and The Good Earth by Pearl Buck. I'd also suggest The Great Gatsby, there's a new movie version coming out later this year so now's the time.

For something that's defiitely accessible you could go with Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie- its a classic mystery, but also quite thought provoking.