Books I Used to Create "Cryptograms from Swoon-worthy Classics"
The books I used for this collection of letter-substitution quote puzzles aren’t necessarily all technically romances, but they do all share these elements, often with a sprinkle of gothic atmosphere or mystery. I wanted to write this post for the readers who solved a cryptogram, recognized a line, and thought: wait, where is that from? Or, even better, that’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever read and I must know more about this author, stat. Whether you're a lifelong classics reader or someone who's never voluntarily picked up a book published before 1950, I think there's something here for you.
BEHIND THE SCENESSWOON-WORTHY
Jane Briar
3/29/20264 min read
I’m a huge classics nerd, but I know not everyone has read these books (yet!). I want to give my best pitch for some of my favorites to hopefully inspire you to give it a try.
If you’ve spent any time in my book Cryptograms from Swoon-worthy Classics, you probably already know that I have a type. Give me an independent heroine, a slow-burn romance, and a little bit of Victorian scandal any day and I’m hooked.
The books I used for this collection of letter-substitution quote puzzles aren’t necessarily all technically romances, but they do all share these elements, often with a sprinkle of gothic atmosphere or mystery. I wanted to write this post for the readers who solved a cryptogram, recognized a line, and thought: wait, where is that from? Or, even better, that’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever read and I must know more about this author, stat.
Whether you're a lifelong classics reader or someone who's never voluntarily picked up a book published before 1950, I think there's something here for you.
So here's a rundown of some of the books I referenced, along with my honest pitch for each one. A couple of these are personal favorites I'd recommend to absolutely anyone. A couple are longer and require a little patience. But, I stand by these recommendations whole-heartedly.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: Probably one of the most well known of the books on my list, this is also a personal favorite. It follows Elizabeth Bennet (and her sisters) as they navigate courtship and its complications. This is the book that gave us the gift of iconic characters like Mr. Darcy. If you like witty female characters, scandals, and character growth, this is one you’ve got to give a try.
Middlemarch by George Eliot: Hear me out! I know this is a long one at more than 300,000 words. I get it. But–it stands the test of time. It’s witty, it’s profound, and it still resonates today. Middlemarch is the slowest of slow burns, revolving around characters in “a study of provincial life.” Just give it a try. It’s worth it, I swear!
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë: One of my personal favorites, this is a surprisingly progressive novel about Helen, who is fleeing her abusive husband. The story is told through letter and diary entries, and is far more feminist than you might expect. It’s a story of second-chance love, and truly ahead of its time.
Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare: While we all know that this is a tragedy, not a romance, it certainly has its moments. Romeo and Juliet’s love is doomed from the start, but that doesn’t stop this story from unfolding in a beautiful, tragic mess. Despite its flaws, Shakespeare really is a master of language and I couldn’t resist putting a few quotes into Cryptograms from Swoon-worthy Classics. If your high school English teacher hasn’t already gotten you to read this one, it’s worth adding to your list.
The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton: This is a slept-on gilded age novel set in New York City, following Lily Bart, a near-30 year old “socialite” and her search for a husband. Well, kind of–it doesn’t exactly end the way you’d think. It’s full of scandal, tragedy, and of course, romance. I couldn’t put it down!
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë: This book has all the hallmarks of a classic coming-of-age tale from the 1800s: an orphaned girl raised by her negligent aunt, a secret wife, and a LOT of scandal, all wrapped in that spooky gothic atmosphere we all know and love. Jane herself is so resilient and independent, she really is one of my favorite heroines of all time.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë: Another Brontë, another orphan, though this time it’s the leading man. Wuthering Heights is a story of revenge and tragedy, but even so, still swoon-worthy at times. I’d definitely call the love story here much more volatile than most on this list. Cathy and Heathcliff are both extremely passionate characters, and this book is a wild ride.
That’s the list (for now–maybe I’ll come back and tell you about a few more in the future?). Let me know if you’re going to go give any of these a try–I’d love to know if this has sold it for you!
Working on Cryptograms from Swoon-worthy Classics gave me the perfect excuse to revisit all of these; it was one of my favorite parts of the whole project. I hope the puzzles send you back to these books — or toward them for the first time. And if you've already read all six and have opinions, I'd love to hear them. Drop a comment below and tell me which one is your favorite, or which quote stopped you in your tracks while you were puzzling.
Happy reading — and happy solving,
Jane
Are you looking for another way to experience these swoon-worthy novels?
Give Cryptograms from Classics a try. Solve the puzzle and be rewarded with a quote from one of the lovely titles listed here. Available now on Amazon a a paperback, ebook, or large print paperback!
Here’s the full list of books, if you’re still hungry for more:
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, William Shakespeare
A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens
Adam Bede, George Eliot
Agnes Grey, Anne Brontë
An Ideal Husband, Oscar Wilde
Emma, Jane Austen
Great Expectations, Charles Dickens
Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë
Jo’s Boys, Louisa May Alcott
Little Women, Louisa May Alcott
Madame Bovary, Gustave Flaubert
Mansfield Park, Jane Austen
Middlemarch, George Eliot
Northanger Abbey, Jane Austen
Our Mutual Friend, Charles Dickens
Persuasion, Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen
Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare
Sense and Sensibility, Jane Austen
Shirley, Charlotte Brontë
Silas Marner, George Eliot
The Beautiful and the Damned, F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald
The House of Mirth, Edith Wharton
The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Anne Brontë
Villette, Charlotte Brontë
Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë