5 novels from classic literature to rediscover this autumn
L'OFFICIEL has selected five timeless works that take on a particular resonance this season, both for their atmosphere, their depth and the emotions they arouse.
Autumn invites nostalgia, reflection, and introspection, emotions that resonate deeply in some of the great classics of literature . With its shorter days and longer evenings, the season offers the ideal setting to rediscover the following five novels — playing with the melancholy and mysterious autumn atmosphere, whether through haunted landscapes, tortured characters, or reflections on human nature. Follow L'OFFICIEL 's guide.
"Wuthering Heights", Emily Brontë
Synopsis: This novel, published in 1847, tells the tumultuous and tragic love story between Heathcliff, an adopted boy, and Catherine Earnshaw, the daughter of his benefactors. The plot unfolds in the desolate moors of northern England, where passions, betrayals and revenge mix with madness and the supernatural.
Why rediscover it this autumn? The wild, windswept landscapes of Wuthering Heights are a perfect match for the misty, melancholy atmosphere of fall. The darkness of human relationships and the wildness of feelings described by Emily Brontë fit well with this season of withdrawal. It is also a read that allows you to delve into intense and dark emotions, while being fascinated by the destructive beauty of love and nature.
“Madame Bovary”, Gustave Flaubert
Synopsis: Published in 1857, this masterpiece of French realist literature immerses us in the life of Emma Bovary, a dreamy and dissatisfied young woman, married to a provincial doctor. Aspiring to a passionate and luxurious life, she tries to escape the boredom and banality of her daily life through love affairs and lavish spending that will lead her to ruin.
Why rediscover it this autumn? Autumn invites reflection, and Madame Bovary is an introspective work that explores the disillusionment of the quest for happiness. It is the perfect time to meditate on the tensions between dreams and realities, between the desire to escape and the constraints of daily life. The subtle nuances of Flaubert's writing also find an echo in this season of transition, full of both richness and melancholy.
" Dracula", Bram Stoker
Synopsis: In this gothic novel published in 1897, Jonathan Harker, a young English lawyer, travels to Transylvania to help a mysterious Count Dracula buy land in England. He quickly discovers that Dracula is a bloodthirsty vampire. A fierce struggle ensues between the Count and a group of individuals determined to stop him from spreading his curse.
Why rediscover it this autumn? autumn, especially with Halloween approaching, is the perfect season for gothic and horror stories. Dracula is much more than a simple vampire story; it evokes the struggle between tradition and modernity, the fear of the unknown and the fascination with the strange. The dark and oppressive atmosphere of this novel resonates particularly at this time of year when the nights are longer and the sounds of nature are more eerie.
"The Stranger", Albert Camus
Synopsis: In this short novel published in 1942, Camus tells the story of Meursault, an indifferent man who, after the death of his mother, commits a murder in Algeria and faces justice. The novel explores the absurdity of the human condition, isolation and the search for meaning in a world that seems devoid of it.
Why rediscover it this autumn? Autumn is a time for existential contemplation, and The Stranger offers a profound reflection on the absurd, death, and man's place in the universe. Camus brilliantly captures this feeling of alienation, of emotional detachment, which can intensify as the days get shorter. Camus's cold, stripped-down prose contrasts with the warm colours of the season, making the reading experience even more striking.
"Frankenstein", Mary Shelley
Synopsis: This 1818 novel tells the story of Dr. Victor Frankenstein, who, obsessed with the idea of creating life, gives birth to a monstrous creature during a scientific experiment. The creature, although endowed with feelings, is rejected by society because of its appearance and turns to revenge.
Why rediscover it this autumn? Autumn, and October in particular, is the perfect time to revisit this fantasy classic. Frankenstein explores the boundaries between good and evil, scientific responsibility, and the consequences of the quest for knowledge. In keeping with the growing darkness of autumn, this novel also explores loneliness and isolation, themes often heightened by the changing seasons.
