From famous classics like The Three Musketeers, Emma, and Anne of Green Gables, to novels by Virginia Woolf and Sigrid Undset, this gifting list is perfect for when you don’t know what to buy for a teenager this Christmas. If you’re aiming to inspire nostalgia or introduce a loved one to a new classic, these beautiful fiction books will make thoughtful gifts to be treasured for many years to come.
The Anne of Green Gables Collection – by L. M. Montgomery
In this collection, we bring together the first three books in the ‘Anne of Green Gables’ series which tells the tale of a little red headed orphaned girl, mistakenly sent to the Cutherbert’s farm on Prince Edward Island. Anne’s strong character and vivid imagination both help and hinder her as she makes her way through life on the island.
Moby-Dick – by Herman Melville
Ishmael, a lowly sailor aboard a whaling ship, captained by Ahab, relates his epic and adventurous tale of “Moby Dick”. Captain Ahab embarks on an obsessive quest for revenge against the giant sperm whale, Moby Dick, who tore off his leg with his mighty teeth on a previous voyage. The captain left both mad and crippled, forces his crew members to support his fanatical mission into the depths of the ocean in chase of the beast.
Jane Eyre – by Charlotte Brontë
Set in the north of England during the reign of George III (1760–1820), it chronicles the different stages of the life of a woman called “Jane Eyre”. Through her character, Charlotte Brontë offers profound perspectives on a number of important social issues, often questioning the status quo and traditional ideas.
The Three Musketeers – by Alexandre Dumas
Set in seventeenth century France, it tells the story of d’Artagnan’s journey to Paris to join the legendary Musketeers of the Guard. A masterful adventure romp packed with humour, satire, love, and daring-do.
Little Women – by Louisa May Alcott
Based on her own life, the story follows the four sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy—and chronicles their transition from childhood to womanhood. “Little Women” became incredibly popular when first published and remains widely-read today.
Undine – by Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué
A fairy-tale novella, the story centres around a water spirit called Undine who, in order to obtain a soul, marries the knight Huldebrand. It is an example of early German romance that has been translated into a variety of languages and adapted for the stage and screen numerous times.
Mrs Dalloway – by Virginia Woolf
Dealing with such themes as mental illness, existentialism, feminism, and bisexuality. This famous novel chronicles a day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway, an English aristocrat living after the Great War.
Green Mansions – by W. H. Hudson
An exotic romance novel, it follows an intrepid adventurer who travels into darkest south-eastern Venezuela, where he comes into contact with a wild forest-dweller called Rima. A fantastic tale of love and tragedy, this book is not to be missed by lovers of vintage adventure literature.
Emma – by Jane Austen
Set in the fictional village of Highbury and the surrounding estates, the story revolves around the various relationships among the inhabitants. “Emma” is a fantastic tale of the vicissitudes of love and the hubris of youth not to be missed by any lover of English literature.
Kristin Lavransdatter – by Sigrid Undset
Following the story of a strong-willed heroine Kristin and her attempt to rebuild her life in the wake of the Black Death, Undset interlaces the political, social, and religious past, with day-to-day familial life – in order to present a vibrant and profound illustration of fourteenth-century Norway. This fantastic trilogy is highly recommended for those with an interest in medieval Scandinavia.
