Esther's Classic Literature Blog

Washington Irving wrote essays, biographies, short stories, and novels. Stories like "Rip van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" made him famous, and they are still favorites! Test your ... Read More

In an article for The Guardian, David Thomson writes about how F. Scott Fitzgerald was able to capture Hollywood, the city of Dreams. Although Fitzgerald's novel about Hollywood was left ... Read More

In an article for The Telegraph," Kate Connolly reports on a ceremony to mark the 60th anniversary of Auschwitz's liberation. She writes, "Huddled in blankets and shivering in the snow, ... Read More

According to the Library Journal, "more than a dozen Colorado libraries will dedicate a week of their fine collections to the American Red Cross, to aid survivors of the tsunami." ... Read More

When was the book published? Who are the main characters? Who wrote the novel? Test your knowledge about one of the greatest novels of that period. Take the "Pride and Prejudice" ... Read More

Robert Burns is considered one of (if not the) greatest Scottish writer. His first volume of poetry was published in 1786. He was born on January 25, 1759, in Alloway, ... Read More

Handwriting is writing done by hand, but it's characteristic of a particular person. What does handwritting say about the writer? How can you find out more about what your handwriting ... Read More

Edith Newbold Jones [Wharton] was born on January 24, 1862 to George Frederic and Lucretia Jones. She was to become a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, with works that include: "The House ... Read More

A rare book by Jay McCullough was auctioned off in Scotland. The book was written in 1892, and it predicts bullet trains, digital watches and television. According to an article ... Read More

On January 22, 1788, Lord Byron was born. George Gordon Noel Byron, 6th Baron Byron was one of the English Romantics. He created the "Byronic hero," and he became famous ... Read More

It's winter, the perfect season to curl up with a good book and read about love, romance, etc. Here are just a few representative works to start you on your ... Read More

What happens when you make a deal with the devil? When there's ill-gotten wealth intermixed with a Faustian bargain, you can just imagine what will happen. Read on: The Devil and ... Read More

- Edgar Allen Poe (1809-1849) was a poet and writer of mystery and suspense tales. Born on January 19, 1809, Poe wrote works that include: "The Fall of the House ... Read More

A.A. Milne was born on January 18, 1882. He's famous for creating Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, and the rest of the gang. That's why today has been named Winnie ... Read More

Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706, in Boston, Massachusetts. Franklin was an author, essayist, journalist, printer, publisher, philosopher, diplomat, and scientist. He wrote "The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin," ... Read More

According to BBC News, "A rare first edition copy of one of the 20th Century's most controversial novels has been sold for £3,290." This rare copy of D.H. Lawrence's "Lady ... Read More

In this book, Lauren Henderson tiptoes through the minefields of love and relationships with some of Jane Austen's most vivacious and unforgettable characters. Read what to do (and not to ... Read More

With the recent reports about new laws involving censorship and literature, we're reminded once again that our books aren't safe from burning and banning. Read more about banned books and ... Read More

Disasters take place around the world, and we don't always know about the devastation under sometime after much of the death and suffering has already taken place. Read more about ... Read More

This year, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra's classic tale of Don Quixote turns 400, and fans around the world are celebrating! According to The Guardian, "The 400th anniversary sees bookshops overflowing ... Read More

On January 12, 1876, Jack London was born in San Francisco. He became one of the most famous American novels and short story writers, with works like Call of the ... Read More

On January 11, 1903, Alan Paton was born in South Africa. He began writing "Cry the Beloved Country" in a hotel room in Norway while he was undertaking a world-wide ... Read More

Amy Lowell was a modernist American poet, who was part of a new generation of poets. She wrote 10 books of poetry, a collection of Chinese translations, 3 books of ... Read More

According to the Miami Herald, a six-page manuscript recently discovered may finally give us an ending to one of Mark Twain's posthumously published essays, "Corn-Pone Opinions." According to the article, ... Read More

In the past, when a writer signed a book, you may have stood in line to see the person face-to-face... But, times--they are-a-changing. According to a report from The Guardian, ... Read More

Out of his many tortured years in exile, Dante Alighieri created "The Divine Comedy," one of the greatest literary masterpieces of all time. In "Dante in Love," Harriet Rubin follows ... Read More

"No poetry is more fresh, more immediate, more deftly challenging," writes editor Robert Pinsky. "William Carlos Williams is at the center of one of poetry's greatest historical flowerings." In this ... Read More

In this slim volume, Vikram Seth offers translations for three eighth-century Chinese poets: Wang Wei, Li Bai (or Li Po), and Du Fu (or Tu Fu). Seth's aim in creating ... Read More

O. Henry became famous for his many short stories (some 600 in all), which include: "The Gift of the Magi," "The Ransom of Red Chief," and many others. Read ... Read More

J.R.R. Tolkien was born on January 3, 1892 in Bloemfontein, South Africa. He became well-known for "The Hobbit," "The Lord of the Rings," and other works. He was part of a ... Read More

Every new year is filled with the possibilities. What will you read? What authors will inspire your everyday experience? 2005 may be filled with lots of reading and discussing books. ... Read More

Every year, people from around the world participate in festivities related to ringing in the new year. Discover how different traditions and culture celebrate New Year's Day. Also, find out ... Read More