If you ask any average person to name some English writers, he will probably be confused and will be able to remember, at best, one or two names. Although in fact he knows at least ten, he simply does not realize that the birthplace of many popular authors is Famous English writers- this is Daniel Defoe, H.G. Wells, Robert Louis Stevenson and many others. Familiar names? We know and remember the books of these authors from childhood.
Modern English writers are also represented by a whole galaxy famous names: JK Rowling, Joe Acrombury, Stephen Fry, Jasper FForde - it is simply impossible to list all the authors. And if you also remember the classics, such as William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, etc., then you begin to understand that the inhabitants of our country read mainly the works of Russian and English wordsmiths.
1. John R. R. Tolkien is a famous English writer whose books are recommended for all categories of readers. Moreover, you should not limit yourself exclusively to “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit”. You might like it better a little fairy tale“Farmer Giles of Ham” - in addition to dragons and heroes, there is a fair amount of humor in it.
2. Arthur Conan Doyle is an English writer who created the most popular detective of all time. It is interesting that the author himself did not like his main character, but readers fully appreciated the talent and intelligence of Sherlock Holmes of Baker Street and his permanent partner, Dr. Watson. Conan Doyle wrote a lot of books about Sherlock, there were even more different imitators and all kinds of sequels, but it’s still better to read the original source.
3. Lewis Carroll is an English writer who created the most unusual fairy tale. Many people believe that Alice in Wonderland is a book exclusively for children. In fact, both a child and an adult will be able to appreciate and love it very much in their own way. original work, which found a calling a decade after its publication.
4. Agatha Christie is the queen of the detective novel, and is also the most popular and best-selling writer in all the years of the existence of the printed word. The works of Agatha Christie are considered classics, and they are certainly worth reading for all lovers of detective stories, as well as simply connoisseurs of good books.
5. George Orwell is an English writer who gave the world the best dystopia. "Animal Farm" and the novel "1984" are books that can make a person rethink the whole the world. One quote is “all animals are equal, but some are more equal than others,” and the reader already looks at the people around him differently.
6. Jane Austen, who gave the world the most wonderful “women's” novel. Despite criticism immediately after the book's release, where the work was called boring and mediocre, Pride and Prejudice is considered best book millions of readers.
These six writers were chosen randomly, and the numbers do not reflect any ranking or top - the proposed authors are very different and cannot be compared with each other.
The greatest writer of England, William Shakespeare, is the world's most famous playwright. He is the author of a dozen plays and hundreds of sonnets, and also owns the most famous poems and epitaphs.
Shakespeare's works have been translated into virtually all languages of the world and truly famous William became only in the 19th century.
It is he who owns such works as “King Lear”, “Romeo and Juliet”, “Macbeth”, “Othello” and “Hamlet”. Today there is no person who would not know famous expression: “To be or not to be? - that is the question!”
Arthur Conan Doyle
The well-known and beloved writer Arthur Conan Doyle was actually a doctor by training.
It is thanks to him that we know today about the brilliant Sherlock Holmes and the popular Professor Challenger, as well as the brave officer Gerard. Sir Arthur wrote a huge number of adventure, historical and humorous stories. He was passionate about cricket, politics and medicine all his life.
In 2004, documents and personal letters from politicians and the US President were found, valued at more than £2 million.
Agatha Christie
Her real name is Agatha Mary Clarissa Miller. She is the second most popular author in the world after William Shakespeare.
Her work has been translated into almost all languages of the world and today the reader enjoys such masterpieces as “The Curious Incident at Styles”, “The Mysterious Assailant”, “Murder on the Golf Course”, “Poirot Investigates” and much more.
Charles Dickens
Even during his lifetime this great writer achieved popularity and became world famous. Charles John Huffam Dickens - world classic fiction. Dickens was born in 1812, lived for almost 60 years, but managed to write as many famous works as, perhaps, almost no one else could.
Charles received the great honor of Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. They say about him that he became the darling of fate and everyone’s favorite, especially among women. He is the author of such works as “Oliver Twist”, “Our mutual friend», « Big hopes», « Bleak House", "Copperfield" and much more.
Dickens came from a poor family, but thanks to his decent fees, he was able to provide himself and his loved ones with a comfortable life.
Rudyard Kipling
In 1865, the famous short story writer, poet and writer Joseph Rudyard Kipling was born in India. When the boy was 5 years old, his family safely moved to England.
He became the author of numerous poems, prose and poems, for which he received the Nobel Prize in 1907, and also received awards from the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Edinburgh. Kipling owns such famous works, like "Kim", "Jungle Book", " Brave Captains", "Ganga Din".
Rudyard was fond of journalism, thanks to which he perfectly understands the life of the country. And the travels that he regularly made as a writer helped him convey all the flavor of Asia and the USA.
Oscar Wilde
The great and talented Oscar Wilde was born in Dublin in 1854. The writer's father was good doctor, for which he was knighted. The family was proud of the breadwinner, but Oscar decided to go his own way and began writing books about archeology and folklore.
Oscar studied at the Royal School and spoke French and German languages. At an older age, the guy began to become interested in antiquity and showed interest in ancient languages. Oscar Wilde traveled a lot and strived for knowledge all his life. He dedicated his works to his family and friends, as well as to the events that left a mark on his life.
The most popular works are "Sonnet to Liberty", "Milton", "Phaedra", "Shelley's Grave" and much more.
Joanne Rowling
One of the most famous modern women writers considered JK Rowling. Due to the family's frequent moves, the girl had no permanent friends, except that she was inseparable from her sister.
One day a girl meets an interesting person with the last name Potter, after which Joan comes up with the idea of a brilliant work. So, after some time, his studies at Hogwarts were born. Of course, the world did not see the book right away, however, it is thanks to it that today every schoolchild and student knows this brilliant English writer.
In the 90s, Joan moved to Portugal, where she taught English and continued working on the Potter books. There she meets her soulmate and gets married.
John Tolkien
There is probably no person today who has not watched or read “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit, or There and Back Again.” But the author of these most famous creations is Oxford University professor John Ronald Reuel Tolkien. In 2008, the writer was in the top five best authors Great Britain.
The family moved several times when the boy was still a child and then he lost his father. Nevertheless, the guy was very smart, well-read thanks to the efforts of his mother.
As a young man, he was inquisitive and read a lot, he already liked girls, and at the age of 21, Tolkien wrote a letter to his beloved proposing marriage. Their union turned out to be strong: they lived a long and happy life.
H.G. Wells
His family was poor, his father tried to trade, however, the business did not bring any income. The writer's family lived due to the fact that the father often played cricket. However, the boy was able to get an education and become a doctor of biology.
George taught and was actively involved in political life. After his death, many memorials were erected, and it is also said that George Wells brought light to many lives as he selflessly committed himself to the education of the poor.
Robert Lewis Stevenson
Stevenson Robert Lewis is a famous Scottish writer and author of many adventure stories and short stories. The boy was born in poor family, graduated from Edinburgh Academy and entered the university.
The child suffered several serious illnesses in childhood, and in his youth, under family pressure, he got married. Stevenson's first edition was issued with his father's money, and it was then that the guy developed an interest in the history of his native Scotland. His stories were published in local newspapers and magazines.
The writer traveled a lot, but did not stop creating his masterpieces until last day. Died great author in Samoa for stroke.
Daniel Defoe
In 1660, the great writer Daniel Defoe was born in London. The beloved work “The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe” made the author famous throughout the world and was translated into many languages.
By the way, it was Defoe who was recognized as the founder English novel. Throughout his life, Daniel published about 500 books, based on the plot of which films were made.
Defoe's family hoped that their son would become a shepherd, but the boy chose art and his first works were written on religious themes. Defoe got a good education, met influential people and even spent time in prison. Daniel Defoe met his death far from his family in 1731 in London.
Jonathan Swift
In 1667 the poet was born and public figure Jonathan Swift. The Anglican priest dreamed of making the world a better place, changing people, so he came up with the idea of writing about human vices. This is how the work “Gulliver's Travels” appeared.
The writer was born into a poor Protestant family, his father died very early, so the child grew up in the family of a wealthy relative. I hardly saw my mother.
Nevertheless, the boy was able to get a good education, found a decent job, and wrote an “Autobiographical Fragment” in memory of his childhood and family history. He is the author of such works as “The Battle of the Books”, “Diary for Stella”, “A Butterfly’s Tale” and many poems and poems.
George Byron
George Gordon Byron, more commonly known as Lord Byron, is a writer who captured the imagination of not only Europe, but the whole world. A boy was born into a poor family: his father lost his fortune, and his mother returned from Europe with the little that was left.
The boy studied at private school, then at the gymnasium, however, according to him, his nannies taught him more than all the teachers at school. In addition, his mother did not feel great love for her son and often threw things at him that didn’t hit him.
He received the title of lord from his late grandfather, along with the family estate. In his youth, the writer loved to read and travel, which he was very proud of later. Byron wrote throughout his life.
He owns such famous works as “The Bride of Abydos”, “Jewish Melodies”, “Parisina”, “Tasso’s Complaint”, “Darkness”, “The Christian and His Comrades”. A city in Greece was named in memory of the great writer, and his portrait is also depicted on postage stamps.
Lewis Carroll
One of the most versatile personalities in England is Lewis Carroll. He was a writer and was interested in photography, mathematics and philosophy. His most famous works were “Alice in Wonderland”, “Alice Through the Looking Glass”, and “The Hunting of the Snark”.
The boy was born into a large family. There wasn’t much money, so his father took care of his education. Lewis was a smart and quick-witted child, he was left-handed, which his relatives were very unhappy with.
After some time, the boy went to school, and then in college he began his career as a writer. He sent his work to local newspapers and magazines. In 1867, Lewis went on his first and only trip, visiting Moscow and other European cities.
Somerset Maugham
William Somerset Maugham- one of the successful English writers of the 20th century. The future author was born in a successful French family. The parents hoped that the child would choose a career as a lawyer in the future, but the boy was not attracted to law. Until the age of 10, the child spoke only French, therefore, his father sent him to live with relatives in England.
There he became interested in medicine, studied at the hospital's school and wrote his first work, Lisa of Lambeth, about this experience. During the war, William even worked as a scout and was sent to Russia for a specific purpose.
After the war, the writer traveled a lot around Asia, which he talked about in his work. He also wrote "The Hero", "The Creation of the Saint", "The Conqueror of Africa", "Carousel" and many other novels.
Truly admirable. It is based on the works of a whole galaxy outstanding masters. No country in the world has given birth to as many outstanding wordsmiths as Britain. Numerous English classics, the list goes on for a long time: William Shakespeare, Thomas Hardy, Charlotte Bronte, Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, William Thackeray, Daphne Du Maurier, George Orwell, John Tolkien. Are you familiar with their works?
Already in the 16th century, the British William Shakespeare earned the reputation of the world's best playwright. It is curious that to this day the plays of the “spear-shaking” Englishman (as his last name is literally translated) are staged in theaters more often than the works of other authors. His tragedies “Hamlet”, “Othello”, “King Lear”, “Macbeth” are universal values. Getting to know him creative heritage, we recommend that you MUST read philosophical tragedy"Hamlet" is about the meaning of life and moral principles. For four hundred years now she has headed the repertoires of the most famous theaters. There is an opinion that English classic writers started with Shakespeare.
She became famous thanks to the classic love story"Pride and Prejudice", which introduces us to the daughter of an impoverished nobleman, Elizabeth, who has a rich inner world, pride and an ironic look at the environment. She finds her happiness in love with the aristocrat Darcy. It’s paradoxical, but this book, with a fairly simple plot and a happy ending, is one of the most beloved in Britain. It traditionally outstrips the works of many serious novelists in popularity. At least for that reason it is worth reading. Like this writer, many English classics came to literature precisely in early XVIII century.
He glorified himself with his works as a deep and genuine expert on the life of ordinary British people in the 18th century. His heroes are invariably heartfelt and convincing. The novel Tess of the D'Urbervilles shows tragic fate a simple decent woman. She commits the murder of a scoundrel nobleman who is ruining her life in order to free herself from his persecution and find happiness. Using the example of Thomas Hardy, the reader can see that the English classics had a deep mind and a systematic view of the society around them, saw its flaws more clearly than others, and, despite having ill-wishers, still courageously presented their creations for the assessment of the entire society.
Showed in many ways autobiographical novel"Jane Eyre" emerging new morality- the principles of an educated, active, decent person who wants to serve society. The writer creates a surprisingly holistic, deep image of the governess Jane Eyre, who goes towards her love for Mr. Rochester even at the cost of sacrificial service. Bronte, inspired by her example, was followed by other English classics, not from the noble class, calling on society for social justice and an end to all human discrimination.
Possessed, according to the Russian classic F.M. Dostoevsky, who considered himself his student, “instinct of universal humanity.” Huge talent The writer did the seemingly impossible: he became famous in his early youth thanks to his first novel “ Posthumous notes Pickwick Club", followed by the following - "Oliver Twist", "David Copperfield" and others, which earned the writer unprecedented fame, putting him on a par with Shakespeare.
William Thackeray is an innovator in the style of presenting a novel. None of the classics before him turned into central images his work of bright, textured depictions negative characters. Moreover, as in life, often something individually positive was inherent in their characters. His outstanding work- “Vanity Fair” - written in the unique spirit of intellectual pessimism mixed with subtle humor.
With her “Rebecca” in 1938, she did the impossible: she wrote the novel at a key moment, when it seemed that English literature had run out of steam, that everything possible had already been written, that the English classics had “run out.” Having not received worthy works for a long time, the English reading audience was interested and delighted by the unique, unpredictable plot of her novel. The opening phrase of this book has become a catchphrase. Be sure to read this book by one of the world's best masters of creating psychological images!
George Orwell will amaze you with the merciless truth. He wrote his famous novel“1984” as a powerful universal denouncing weapon against all dictatorships: present and future. His creative method borrowed from another great Englishman - Swift.
The novel “1984” is a parody of a dictatorship society that has completely trampled on universal human values. He exposed and called to account for the inhumanity of the ugly model of socialism, which was actually becoming a dictatorship of leaders. An extremely sincere and uncompromising man, he endured poverty and hardship, passing away early - at the age of 46.
Is it possible not to love “The Lord of the Rings” by Professor This is a real miraculous and surprisingly harmonious temple of the epic of England? The work conveys deep humanistic messages to its readers and it is no coincidence that Frodo destroys the ring on March 25 - the day of the Ascension. The creative and competent writer showed insight: all his life he was indifferent to politics and parties, passionately loved “good old England”, and was a classic British bourgeois.
This list goes on and on. I apologize to dear readers who had the courage to read this article that, due to limited space, it did not include the worthy Walter Scott, Ethel Lilian Voynich, Daniel Defoe, Lewis Carroll, James Aldridge, Bernard Shaw and, believe me, many, many others. English classic literature- a huge, interesting layer of achievements human culture and spirit. Do not deny yourself the pleasure of meeting her.
Everyone knows the plot of Daniel Defoe's novel. However, the book contains many other interesting details about the organization of Robinson’s life on the island, his biography, and inner experiences. If you ask a person who has not read the book to describe Robinson’s character, he is unlikely to cope with this task.
In the popular consciousness, Crusoe is a smart character without character, feelings or history. The novel reveals the image of the main character, which allows you to look at the plot from a different angle.
Why you need to read
To get acquainted with one of the most famous adventure novels and find out who Robinson Crusoe really was.
Swift does not openly challenge society. Like a true Englishman, he does it correctly and witty. His satire is so subtle that Gulliver's Travels can be read as an ordinary fairy tale.
Why you need to read
For children, Swift's novel is a fun and unusual adventure story. Adults need to read it to get acquainted with one of the most famous artistic satires.
This novel, let it artistically and not the most outstanding, definitely iconic in the history of literature. After all, in many ways he predetermined the development of the scientific genre.
But this is not just entertaining reading. It raises problems of the relationship between creator and creation, God and man. Who is responsible for creating a being who is destined to suffer?
Why you need to read
To get acquainted with one of the main works science fiction, as well as to experience complex issues that are often lost in film adaptations.
Difficult to select best play Shakespeare. There are at least five of them: “Hamlet”, “Romeo and Juliet”, “Othello”, “King Lear”, “Macbeth”. The unique style and deep understanding of life's contradictions made Shakespeare's works an immortal classic, relevant at all times.
Why you need to read
To begin to understand poetry, literature and life. And also to find the answer to the question, what is better: to be or not to be?
The main topic English literature the beginning of the 19th century was social criticism. Thackeray in his novel denounces his contemporary society with the ideals of success and material enrichment. To be in society means to be sinful - this is approximately Thackeray’s conclusion regarding his social environment.
After all, the successes and joys of yesterday lose their meaning when a well-known (albeit unknown) tomorrow looms ahead, which we all will sooner or later have to think about.
Why you need to read
To learn to relate more simply to life and the opinions of others. After all, everyone in society is infected with “fair ambitions” that have no real value.
The language of the novel is beautiful, and the dialogue is an example of English wit. Oscar Wilde is a subtle psychologist, which is why his characters turned out to be so complex and multifaceted.
This book is about human vice, cynicism, the difference between the beauty of the soul and body. If you think about it, to some extent each of us is Dorian Gray. Only we do not have a mirror on which sins would be imprinted.
Why you need to read
To enjoy the stunning language of Britain's wittiest writer, to see how much moral character may not match the appearance and also get a little better. Wilde's work is a spiritual portrait not only of his era, but of all humanity.
The ancient Greek myth about a sculptor who fell in love with his creation takes on a new, socially significant meaning in Bernard Shaw's play. How should a work feel towards its author if this work is a person? How can it relate to the creator - the one who made it in accordance with his ideals?
Why you need to read
This is the most famous play Bernard Shaw. It is often staged in theaters. According to many critics, Pygmalion is iconic work English drama.
A universally recognized masterpiece of English literature, familiar to many from cartoons. Who, at the mention of Mowgli, does not hear Kaa’s drawn-out hiss in his head: “Man-cub...”?
Why you need to read
As an adult, it is unlikely that anyone will take up The Jungle Book. A person has only one childhood to enjoy Kipling's creation and appreciate it. So be sure to introduce your children to the classics! They will be grateful to you.
And again it comes to mind soviet cartoon. It's really good, and the dialogue in it is almost entirely taken from the book. However, the images of the characters and general mood the narratives in the original source are different.
Stevenson's novel is realistic and quite harsh in places. But this is a good adventure work that every child and adult will read with pleasure. Boarding boards, sea wolves, wooden legs - marine theme beckons and attracts.
Why you need to read
Because it's fun and exciting. In addition, the novel is divided into quotes, which everyone should know.
Interest in the deductive abilities of the great detective is still great today thanks to the huge number of film adaptations. Many people are familiar with the classic detective story only from films. But there are many film adaptations, but there is only one collection of stories, but what a one!
Why you need to read
H. G. Wells was in many ways a pioneer in the genre of science fiction. Before him, people were not at odds with, he was the first to write about time travel. Without the Time Machine, we would not have seen either the film Back to the Future or the cult TV series Doctor Who.
They say that all life is a dream, and a nasty, pathetic one at that, nap, although you still won’t dream of another one.
Why you need to read
To look at the origins of many science fiction ideas that have become popular in modern culture.
