Classic Books
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Published almost a century ago in 1925, the story of the striving Jay Gatsby is still deeply influential in its exploration of class, society, and the false promise that money can buy happiness. Gatsby’s misguided chase for his first love is a sad tale that spans the ages. At the time, the book was considered a commercial failure, but you’d be hard to find a high school course today that didn’t include it.
Catcher in the Rye
J.D. Salinger
Written in 1951, Catcher in the Rye brilliantly describes the lonely teen experience of having to grow up and leave the tenderness and innocence(纯真)of childhood behind. Though young adult fiction didn’t exist in its current form when J.D. Salinger wrote the novel, it’s considered one of the first teen books and constantly appears on high school reading lists.
Frankenstein
Mary Shelley
Written in 1818, this classic from Mary Shelley tells the tale of Victor Frankenstein and the monster(怪物) he creates. The themes of creation and responsibility the book explores still exist today, as technology and science produce more possibilities and power than ever before.
Little Women
Louis May Alcott
The story of the March sisters is a true American classic, and one of the most popular books written by a woman. Published in 1868 and set in the time of the Civil War, the book is popular because of its description of strong women and sisterly love. Not only is the novel a classic, but its film adaptations (of which there have been many) became classics in their own right.
【小题1】What do the first two books have in common?| A．They belong to children’s books. | B．They explore the theme of love. |
| C．They are read in high school. | D．They are based on students’ stories. |
| A．It reflects present subjects. | B．It is connected with science. |
| C．It produces more possibilities. | D．It is about Mary Shelley’s story. |
| A．The Great Gatsby. | B．Catcher in the Rye |
| C．Frankenstein. | D．Little Women. |
