Which are the best classic novels and why?

I think "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" by Jules Verne is an excellent puck! Crazy to think it was written 154 years ago. The technological concepts described in the book, such as an electrically powered submarine, were incredibly forward-thinking for the 19th century. Verne's imagination inspired many real-world inventions and advancements. For instance, his electric submarine predated the first practical electric bulb light by nine years!

The storyline itself is also remarkable combining: action, mystery, drama, and humour in a perfectly balanced narrative. Despite the current advances in technology, like modern atomic submarines, the book remains relevant even in the 21st century. Verne's ability to blend scientific foresight with engaging storytelling (in other his books too!) ensures its lasting appeal, hence can be called ‘classic’.

Terry Brooks

The Sword Of Shannara - If you are not a book person but more of a TV sci-fi person then you have most likely seen the mini TV series of this book.

IMO, this book has stood the test of time because of how well the story has been written, whilst there are heroes within the book itself, it spans many centuries of the world itself with the heroes becoming heroes quite by accident. We have the main druids who "sleep" for centuries at a time and so on.

The characters in this book, are diverse, they are incredibly well written and generally speaking, I think it's an amazing book series that was also published into one book!

The Lord of the Flies by William Golding

An expertly written and graphically depicted book that has definitely withstood the test of time, with numerous adaptations of the story in written and theatrical format released since (Hunger Games and Battle Royal to name just a couple).

Without too many spoilers for anyone who doesn't know it, the story follows a group of boys who survive a plane crash, landing on a deserted island.

The story really highlights how society can crumble without rules and order and how people can change from normal characters to predatory, violent beings without such rules in place to help life. There is evil in all of us and it can be unlocked in the right situations.

The best of it's kind in exploring human character and absolutely worth a read!

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy

I am going to specifically recommend the first one given that it’s one of the most important sci-fi, comedy novels of all time. I won’t be the only person who will recommend this, given that it is a sci-fi, I’m not 100% sure it will qualify but it’s definitely a classic and one of the best books of all time. The rest of the books in the series are brilliant as they’re all so completely different, up until the last one which you can tell wasn’t written by Douglas Adam’s as it doesn’t have his bats**t, irreverent tone.

Incredible book

When discussing the 'best' classic novels, we must acknowledge that determining the best requires a complex evaluation system, likely beyond the scope of this discussion. Therefore, I'll define 'best' from a personal perspective.

One of my top picks is Walter Scott's "Quentin Durward". This novel holds a special place for me as it was the first book that taught me various skills. Transitioning from children's books, it introduced me to a completely different world - lengthy, often tedious descriptions, complex emotions and motivations, numerous characters, varied locations, and mixed storytelling that required memory to navigate. At the age of 8, I almost gave up several times but persevered on my own accord. It wasn’t a school assignment; it was my decision, and I faced the consequences fully. As I write this, I realize how significantly the book influenced me, teaching me the concept of 'getting things done'.