The greatest contribution to the development of traditional British culture was made by literature. World book classics also consists in a large part of the works of such brilliant writers as Charles Dickens, J. Orwell, J. Chaucer, W. Scott, J. Austin. Modern British, as numerous surveys show, prefer a detective genre. They are equally enthusiastic about the traditional stories of A. Christie and the criminal novels of our contemporary Ian Rankin.
It is quite obvious that the younger generation of British idolizes books by Joanne Rowling. The young wizard has gained admirers not only in Britain. Children of any country of the world can easily quote the successful places of Harry Potter novels and discuss the magic features for hours.
As the survey of 2013 showed, about 60% of Britons lie, that their book preferences are centered around the classics. Almost half of them admitted that talking about "smart" books helps them to support film adaptations. Most people in Britain say that they read J. Orwell and C. Dickens. The poll involved 2 thousand people, which is not so and is indicative for a country with a population of more than 63 million.
More confidence is caused by the poll of "BBC", conducted in 2013 among 750 thousand Britons. Residents of different regions of Great Britain were asked to name the best novels of "all time and people". The leader of this poll was deservedly the "Lord of the Rings" J. Tolkien. On the second step was the favorite writer of all women, J. Austin with "Pride and Prejudice", and the third place was taken by Philip Poulman and "The Dark Ones." Douglas Adams' excellent sense of humor in his fantastic novel "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" helped him to take the # 4 spot. And the fifth line of the rating was taken by "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" by J. Rowling.
So which books are not worth reading to the British to understand the English mentality and better learn the language? The list of modern bestsellers basically consists of "emotional" literature, which allows not only to spend an interesting evening, but also to get a charge of vivacity, warmth or a bit of romanticism.
John Green's "The Fault in Our Stars"
The poetic and ambiguous history of relations between Hazel and Augustus. The author let the reader into the known world of cancer patients and proved that even incurable adolescents are just teenagers with their raging passions, humor and rebellious spirit. The book is written in an unusually simple and easy language, so it will interest the reader even with an average knowledge of English.
"Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy" by Helen Fielding
Fans of the epic about Bridget Jones will be surprised by the unobtrusive irony and cheerfulness of the already elderly heroine. Even becoming a widow, this never disheartened lady in the soul remains as nice and sometimes ridiculous as before. The main idea of the book: love makes us happier, which means, "Long live Love!"
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
The third novel by D. Tartt "Goldfinch" received the Pulitzer Prize in 2014, and preparations for the adaptation of the book are now under way. The 13-year-old hero of the novel is in the maelstrom of horrifying events. Growing up, he tries to understand what happened 14 years ago and what is the connection between the picture stolen by him in the museum and the red-haired girl from the past.
"Inferno" by Dan Brown
Professor Harvard continues in Florence, his mind-boggling investigations of biblical subjects, solving new puzzles with the help of the map of Sandro Botticelli. Armed chases organically intertwined in the plot with the "Divine Comedy" of Dante and help the heroes solve many mysteries and reveal amazing secrets.
"Summer at the Lake" by Erica James
It is impossible to close the door to the past forever. Esme still remembers the person she was in love with 60 years ago. Adam plunged into the work after a bad relationship, and Floriana was invited to a wedding with another woman. What links these people? Romantic and enchanting Lake Como, capable of opening the veil in a past life and showing that it is impossible to escape from yourself.
A list of worthy novelties can be continued indefinitely, but each reader will have several particularly favorite works with which one wants to spend time again and again. And what books do you and your friends read?
