10 Book Gifts Every Classic Literature Lover Will Adore
If you're searing for the prefect gift for the book lover in your life, classic literature is the perfect choice. Give a special book lover in your life a beautiful and stylish hardcover novel and show them that you really care. Our special collector's editions from world renowned publishers such as Chiltern Classics, Penguin Clothbound, Harper Muse Painted Editions will make the perfect gift for any classic literature fan. There's something timeless and magical about pretty hardback novels that make them ideal for gifting and will surely take pride of place in any discerning bibliophile's home library.
Here is a list of ten of our most beautiful special edition classic books that we think will impress even the most sophisticated of classic literature enthusiasts:
1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - Chiltern Classics
A beloved romance with sharp wit and social commentary, Pride and Prejudice is a must-have for any bookshelf. Your recipient will adore this gorgeous hardback edition from Chiltern Classics, with floral embossed cover and gilt edge pages.
The story follows Elizabeth Bennet, a strong-willed and independent young woman as she navigates the challenges of love, marriage, and social status in early 19th century England. Mr. Darcy is the wealthy and aloof love interest of Elizabeth, whose initial pride and prejudice create obstacles in their relationship. The plot evolves around the romantic entanglements of the Bennet sisters and their interactions with the wealthy and aristocratic families in their social circle. As Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy navigate their feelings for each other, misunderstandings and miscommunications threaten to keep them apart.
Pride and Prejudice is considered a landmark work of English literature due to its insightful portrayal of the social and gender dynamics of the Regency era. The novel's enduring popularity lies in its timeless themes of love, class, and personal growth.
2. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte - Chiltern Classics
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte is a dark and passionate tale of love, revenge and obsession set on the Yorkshire moors. The story follows Heathcliff, an orphan adopted by the wealthy Earnshaw family, and his intense but doomed love for their daughter Catherine.
Told through multiple narrators, the novel explores issues of social class, gender roles, family relationships and revenge. Wuthering Heights is a hauntingly atmospheric story with deeply complex characters that make it a masterpiece of gothic literature that is reflected in this beautiful Chiltern Classics edition. These editions are well known for their beautiful and elegant covers with intricate embossed patterns and thick pages that makes them look as good on a shelf as they do in the hand.
3. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte - Penguin clothbound edition
This Penguin Clothbound edition of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte is a beautiful hardcover edition draped in textured black linen and adorned with red embossed floral illustrations that makes a perfect gift for lovers of classic fiction. A gothic novel that blends romance, mystery and strong feminist themes, the story of Jane Eyre follows the life of the strong-willed Jane from her troubled childhood through to her even more complicated adult life. Orphaned and mistreated by her relatives, Jane is sent away to boarding school where she endures cruelty and hardship and the hands of the teachers in that institution. Rather than shrinking away into obscurity, Jane's headstrong independent spirit is galvanised. She later meets and falls in love with the mysterious Mr Rochester, only to find that he has a dark secret.
Blending romance, mystery and ideas about morality, Jane Eyre is a timeless novel about resilience and authenticity.
4. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - Harper Muse Painted Edition
Few novels capture the glamour and tragedy of the Jazz Age like The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. A stunning hardback collector's edition with a beautifully hand-painted cover with Art-Deco style design will make a sophisticated gift for literature enthusiasts.
The Great Gatsby is narrated by Nick Carraway, who moves to Long Island and becomes fascinated by his mysterious neighbour, Jay Gatsby. Known for his lavish parties, Gatsby is hiding a secret that involes Nick's cousin Daisy Buchanan. A sordid tale of love and betrayal ensues, as the novel critiques the illusion of wealth and the American Dream. The story is said to be influenced in part by Fitzgerald's own experiences in the high society circles of the 1920s, and his poetic prose and colourful literary language make this one of the greatest American novels ever written.
5. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott - Harper Muse Painted Edition
This heartwarming coming-of-age story is a timeless favourite, and the Harper Muse Painted edition of Little Women makes a thoughtful and charming gift, particularly for young readers.
Little Women follows the lives of the four March sisters - Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy - each with their own very distinctive personalities, as they navigate love, loss and personal growth during the American Civil War era. Their father is away at fighting in the war and so they are raised solely by their kind and hardworking mother Marmee in his absence. As the sisters grow up they face challenging hardships and learn valuable life lessons about family, love and following their own paths. Little Women remains a timeless classic, beloved for its relatable characters and themes of sisterhood, resilience and self-discovery.
6. Dracula by Bram Stoker - Chiltern Classics Edition
For Victorian gothic literature enthusiasts Dracula by Bram Stoker is high on the list of essential reading. This beautifully bound Chiltern Classics hardcover edition with red and black embossed gothic illustrations and gold trimmed pages will add extra mystique to the reading experience.
A young solicitor by the name of Jonathan Harker travels to Transylvania to assist Count Dracula with a real estate transaction. Mr Harker soon realises that the Count is actually a vampire, and that he (Mr Harker) is being held hostage in the castle. Told through a series of diary entries, letters and newspaper articles, the story explores themes of fear, superstition and the battle between good and evil. This chilling and engrossing masterpiece of Victorian horror will be one that you cannot put down.
7. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy - Penguin Clothbound Edition
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy in this stunning Penguin Clothbound Classics edition will truly impress the book lover in your life. The tragic tale follows two parallel story lines - one of the doomed aristocrat Anna Karenina as she navigates scandal, isolation and emotional turmoil as a result of her exceedingly unhappy marriage, and the other of the idealistic landowner Konstantin Levin as he struggles with existential questions and finding meaning in rural life. A masterpiece of psychological depth and realism, Anna Karenina is a profound meditation on love, happiness and the constraints of 19th century Russian society.
This Penguin Clothbound edition features a red linen textured clothbound cover with intricate and elegant illustrations of antique binoculars typically used in horse racing to symbolise a pivotal scene in the book. This edition also features a ribbon marker and acid free pages for durability and a luxury reading experience. Inside is a well explained introduction as well as notes providing historical context. Perfect for lovers of classic Russian literature, this pretty hardback novel is visually striking and a timeless edition to any book lover's home library.
8. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley - Puffin Clothbound Classics
This vintage-style hardcover edition makes a wonderful gift for those who love thought provoking stories, and the Puffin Clothbound Classics edition is a beautiful example of a bookish gift worth giving to any avid book lover. This edition features a striking red linen textured cover with an intricate embossed illustrations and eerie patterns that reflect the novel's themes of danger and creation. The bold colours make this pretty hardcover novel a stylish and eye-catching addition to any home library.
One of the first true science fiction novels, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley remains an influential classic tale. A young scientist by the name of Victor Frankenstein becomes obsessed with uncovering the secret of life In his relentless pursuit he creates a sentient creature from body parts, but upon seeing it's monstrous appearance, he is horrified and abandons it. A powerful mediation on isolation, responsibility and the dangers of playing God.
9. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde - Penguin Clothbound Classics
A dark, philosophical novel about vanity and morality, The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde is a mesmerising read. This luxurious hardback edition by Penguin Clothbound Classics with its black linen cover embossed with beautiful peacock feathers will make it even more alluring.
The novel explores themes of vanity, hedonism, morality and desire through the tale of a beautiful and seductive man, Dorian Gray. Dorian trades his soul for eternal youth, with a wish that his portrait would age and bear the marks of his sins while he himself remains eternally youthful and beautiful. The Picture of Dorian Gray, the first and only novel of Osar Wilde has been the subject of controversy since its first publication in 1890 as it challenged Victorian societal norms by exploring themes of morality, homosexuality and gender expectations.
10. Moby Dick by Herman Melville - Chiltern Classics
For those who appreciate adventure and deep symbolism, Moby Dick by Herman Melville is a literary treasure. This deluxe hardback edition with its beautiful nautical themed embossed cover makes this epic tale even more captivating and will be sure to impress as a beautiful gift.
The story is given from the point of view of the sailor Ishmael, as he observes Captain Ahab's manic quest for revenge against Moby Dick, a white whale who bit off his leg on a previous voyage.
Why Choose Hardcover Novels as Gifts?
Gifting classic literature in hardcover editions shows thoughtfulness and appreciation for storytelling. Whether you opt for a leather bound edition or a gorgeously illustrated volume, these books become cherished keepsakes that can be passed down for generations.
No matter which title you choose, a beautifully bound classic novel is a timeless and meaningful gift for any book lover. Visit www.lookingglassbookshop.com to explore more classic book gift ideas!