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There has been a resurgence of interest in a couple of classic stories recently—especially because they were brought to life on the big screen. With cinematography shining a new, alluring light on the stories, a new generation of readers have been encouraged to give these classics a chance. If you need more convincing, though, here’s a look at what some of the source material entails.
The Odyssey by Homer
Jorge Rivera-Herrans’ nine-album EPIC: The Musical and Christopher Nolan’s 2026 film The Odyssey have both received widespread acclaim, along with a not insignificant amount of criticism in the case of Nolan’s adaptation. Nevertheless, both works have brought attention to Homer’s epic, creating new hype for one of the oldest works of literature.
One might think, after watching the movie, listening to the music, and seeing the horde of people online ready to die on their respective hills: What am I missing? Well, there is no better way to answer that than to read the book, really. Nobody can fully explain who Odysseus the liar, the trickster, the hubristic Odysseus who becomes an example of “pride comes before a fall,” is. It is up to you, the reader, to decide as you follow his story, accompany him on his travels, and finally alight on Ithaca.
Alongside cunning Odysseus is a cast of other unforgettable characters: Polyphemus, the man-eating Cyclops, and the nightmarish Scylla are some of the monsters he encounters, while the goddesses Circe and Calypso offer some respite for the hero. Clever Penelope, who fends off the suitors with her weaving and unweaving and asks a trick question to test Odysseus, is truly his perfect match. If you crave a hero’s journey, intriguing and complex characters, hair-raising challenges and obstacles, and adventures you will only see in Greek mythology, The Odyssey is definitely a good addition to your TBR pile.
Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (1818)
Science fiction lovers will know this story, one of the earliest of its kind. Mary Shelley’s tale of creation that defies nature is a favourite of many horror readers, and Guillermo del Toro’s take on the story in the 2025 film has certainly inspired new audiences to give the book a try.
When you're curious, you find lots of interesting things to do;...
The movie, of course, diverges at certain points from Shelley’s work. Victor Frankenstein, in the novel, succeeds in creating life from dead body parts. His success becomes his torment; the creature he gives life to terrifies him, but the unfortunate being longs for his love. Shelley’s depiction of the conflict between the creator and the creation is masterful and moving, perhaps inspired by her own relationships with her father, the child she lost, and the mother she never knew. The Creature is horrifying, yes, but pitiable; his loneliness drives him to hurt his maker, who has abandoned him.
There’s not a boring moment in the novel; as you follow Victor’s retelling of his dealings with the Creature, you wait with bated breath for its next move. You feel the sense of being stalked by something horrible, and yet, perhaps the most horrifying feeling of all, you empathize with the Creature as it laments its loneliness.
As one of the seminal works of science fiction, Frankenstein’s contribution to the genre has been immense. Give it a read and decide for yourself: Is it Frankenstein’s monster you should fear, or Frankenstein himself?
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (1846)
Tragically, due to the nature of the story Alexandre Dumas has woven, no movie adaptation will ever do the Count and his adventures justice. Alexandre de La Patellière and Matthieu Delaporte come very close in the 2024 movie, and they deserve applause for not omitting some essential scenes—the dinner party and the ghost story scene are executed wonderfully.
But, as with any book, the film adaptation shaves off material; and in this case, a sizable portion of the story is lost in keeping up with the Count’s revenge against his main enemies.
In the book, Edmond Dantès begins as a poor sailor blissfully in love with Mercédès, whom he hopes to marry. A series of injustices done to him by his supposed friends transforms him into the deadly Count, who believes he is the hand of God moving to punish those who wronged him. The story, besides its share of betrayal and vengeance, includes kidnappings by Italian bandits, poisonings, high treason committed by a French general, sapphic escapades, and a Romeo-and-Juliet-esque love story among its subplots.
The Count of Monte Cristo might be a long read, but it is worth every breathtaking second. Enjoyers of adventure stories and thrillers will adore the Count’s twisting, complicated plans, the systematic way he brings down his enemies, and the way he artfully pulls the strings for his friends’ happiness.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (1847)
Emerald Fennell’s 2026 adaptation has sparked outrage among the book’s lovers and (hopefully) interest among those whose introduction to Emily Brontë’s 1847 masterpiece came through the movie. The movie, with its stunning visuals and a subdued storyline, strips away much of the original story—including the entirety of the second generation of Linton, Heathcliff, and Earnshaw children—and leaves much to be discovered in the pages of the book.
Brontë’s novel has romance, certainly, but also includes tension caused by race and class. Heathcliff as a character is both sympathetic and abhorrent. His status as an outsider causes him to be abused at the hands of Hindley. Yet, his own cruelty toward Isabella and toward the offspring of Edgar Linton and Hindley Earnshaw, enemies he wishes to take revenge upon, cannot be overlooked.
Catherine Earnshaw, Heathcliff’s equal, also defies expectations of the heroines in most romance novels. She is cruel, selfish, and temperamental; her hold over Heathcliff, and their inability to be together, is the central conflict in the story. Cathy proclaims, “I am Heathcliff,” a statement both romantic and terrifying, inviting the reader to understand the depth of their passion for and obsession with each other. Their love is far from healthy, and that is one of the most compelling aspects of the book.
Ultimately, the ‘love story’ the reader has been expecting throughout the tale happens in its third act, as the younger generation puts an end to the cycle of violence and abuse. A story centred around human emotion that does not shy away from its ugliness and destructiveness, Wuthering Heights deserves a read for both its romantic aspects and its exploration of human behaviour.
Les Misérables by Victor Hugo (1862)
Set to be released in October 2026, Fred Cavayé’s Les Misérables no doubt has fans of Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel (affectionately called ‘the Brick’) excited to watch it. Arguably, appreciation for the story has never died down; the much-beloved musical has done its share of generating hype for the story.
Les Misérables follows several storylines, the main one being that of ex-convict Jean Valjean, who seeks redemption but is haunted by his criminal past. His story intertwines with those of Javert, a police officer; Fantine, a single mother and sex worker; and Cosette, Fantine’s daughter.
Hugo’s novel documents the struggles of the poor, the unfortunate, and the miserable. Valjean cannot escape being labelled as a criminal: he goes to prison for stealing food, receives additional sentences for attempted escapes, and is marked as a criminal even when he is freed. His story reflects how prejudices against people with criminal pasts (even for crimes committed out of necessity) prevent them from trying to live honest lives. In Fantine’s story, Hugo depicts the suffering of a working-class woman failed by those she placed her trust in. However, Hugo also shows what may be society’s saving: the compassion of humans toward one another. Valjean begins his path to redemption after a Bishop he wronged shows him kindness; he, in turn, helps Fantine and her daughter.
Though deeply steeped in French history, the story will strike a chord with readers anywhere, as they will recognize the people of their own country in the characters of the story. Hugo asks the reader to consider that the implementation of the law is not always justice, especially when the law discriminates against those who are already disadvantaged by society. The novel may be a long read, but readers will come away stunningly conscious of the place they occupy in society and of the injustices to which they have previously been oblivious. A message of hope for the future awaits you.
