7 classic novels that should be studied in school, but aren't

While you likely tackled Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights in school, there’s another Brontë sister whose works you may not have read: Anne. Her first novel, Agnes Grey, is a compelling and deeply insightful novel that absolutely belongs on our "should-have-read-in-school" list. Drawing on her own experiences, Anne reveals the often harsh realities of a Victorian governess's life with quiet power and keen observation that rivals that of her more famous siblings. 

Charles Dickens is often regarded as the best, and best known, writer of Victorian literature. But his contemporary, Wilkie Collins, penned a masterpiece that you may have missed. Considered by many to be the very first full-length detective novel, The Moonstone is a gripping mystery centred around the theft of a cursed Indian diamond. Full of suspense, intricate plotting, and unforgettable characters, this novel is just as rich as any work by Dickens. 

F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby is often taught as the quintessential American novel, but Nella Larsen offers an equally masterful – and arguably more nuanced – critique of American society. A deeply thoughtful exploration of racial identity, Passing delves into the lives of two Black women in 1920s New York. Irene lives openly as Black, while Clare ‘passes’ as white, married to a racist man who has no idea of her racial heritage. When the two rekindle their old friendship, tensions mount, culminating in a suspenseful and ultimately tragic entanglement. 

For too long, the study of classics has often overlooked the vital contributions and experiences of diverse voices. Hakim Adi's powerful anthology, Black Voices on Britain, provides a chance to deepen your understanding of the past and discover narratives that challenge the traditional canon. Featuring compelling first-hand accounts from Black voices who lived, worked, campaigned, and travelled in Britain from the eighteenth to the early twentieth century, this collection offers a truly unique and enriching perspective on British history and society. 

A groundbreaking novel brimming with wit and intense drama, Chéri tells the passionate and poignant story of the beautiful, spoiled young Fred Peloux, affectionately known as Chéri, who struggles to break free from his long-term affair with an older, captivating courtesan. This novel would be a perfect accompaniment to The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, found on many a set text list. Both novels explore the intoxicating allure and corrosive effects of beauty, youth, and desire, from different cultural perspectives and with distinct philosophical underpinnings.

Mrs Dalloway or To The Lighthouse are often the Virginia Woolf works that are suggested by teachers, but her most dazzling and inventive novel, Orlando, offers a truly unique and transformative reading experience. This playful, experimental work spans centuries and genders, and follows its protagonist through an extraordinary, ever-evolving life. It’s a challenging yet rewarding journey that sparks fascinating conversations about identity, history, and literature itself – a perfect choice for readers eager to expand their literary horizons.

Jane Austen’s social satires are staples of the curriculum, but perhaps it is time to shake things up a bit and study another writer whose focus is equally vital, yet profoundly different, social commentary. North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell vividly portrays Margaret Hale's culture shock as she moves from the genteel South to a bustling, turbulent factory town in the North, offering a powerful look at class divides, workers' rights, and a compelling romance born amidst social unrest.