Each one of us has a rebel within us.
We choose different modes to let it out.Reading about it definitely familiarize us with our emotions and helps us gaining more depth and insight into it. Be it racial discrimination or gender biasing let the rebel in you awake by reading these 8 books!
1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
It is a classic novel set in 1930’s which explores the irrationality and complexities of the adult world through the eyes of two young children. It also touches upon racial discrimination, sexism and hypocrisy with a wry sense of humour. It is a fine read and its relevancy still exists.
2. Alex Cross’s Trial by James Patterson
It seems like another one of Alex Cross’s undercover action thrillers but it is actually a story of a fight against racial discrimination as told by his Grandfather in America. The major highlight of the story is an impending court trial against a coloured person with nationwide importance and how it is brought about even when the judge and the jury are biased against them.
3. To Sir, With love by E.R Braithwaite
It is an autobiographical novel revolving around a young Mr Braithwaite accepting the task of teaching semi-literate children who are unmotivated to learn. He faces difficulties handling them and faces a lot of rebellion in different ways. Being educated from a higher class of schools, he finds their manners and ways of living unnerving. In the end, does he manage to teach his class or just quit is the mystery!
4. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger
It is included in Time’s 100 Best English-Selling Novels and is one of the most controversial ever as well. It touches upon confusion, angst, lust and racial biases as well. It was much criticised for excessive violence but a fine read nevertheless!
5. The Harry Potter Series by J.K Rowling
Technically, it is an entire series yet it would be a shame to not include it in here. We are taken through the journey of a young orphan harry Potter who lives with his Aunt and uncle and often treated miserably. His life is turned upside down when he learns he is a Wizard and more so when he learns he is famous as the boy who almost defeated the darkest wizard ever Lord Voldemort. What follows through the rest of the series is how harry potter unveils the mysteries of the magical world and his parents deaths and fights against the Dark Lord selflessly. This is one tale of courage, friendship with certain strong examples of rebellions against the wrong.
6. Those Pricey Thakur Girls by Anuja Chauhan
It is a quick humorous read based on the lives of a typical Indian society in the 1980’s and the lead characters a doordarshan channel reporter. And it is amusing how the protagonist fights her neighbours, families and other people’s opposition with her quirks and charm.
7. The Help by Kathreen Stockett
Set in 1962, it is based on the efforts of a young Skeeter who tries to unite the coloured maids in a risky project that could even cost them their lives. Why? Because they are suffocating within the lines that define their town and their times. And sometimes lines are made to be crossed. It makes us reflect on the way women affect our lives and each other-As mothers, daughters, care-givers and friends.
8. The Hunger games by Suzanne Collins
It follows through the life of Katniss Everdeen from the representative of the 12th district to whom survival and death are second nature. The Hunger Games are a televised event which has only one survivor. Can Katniss make it through without losing herself in the process?
9. Little Women
The novel follows the lives of four sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March—detailing their passage from childhood to womanhood, and are loosely based on the author and her three sisters. Jo is quite the rebel in this story as she struggles to be a published writer at a time where women weren’t supposed to be out working. After several initial rejections she finally achieves her dreams.
10. Jane Eyre
An orphan, rationalist who breaks all boundaries to live on her own. It also follows her complex love story with her dark employer Mr Rochester and how Jane finally struggles through all odds and even herself to be with him.
Have a great time rising out the rebel in you!
Two more could be added. The Magician’s Guild trilogy by Trudi Canavan in the fifth position maybe. And The Shiva Trilogy by Amish Tripathi in the second place. Maybe. I’m naming the Shiva Trilogy here not because of any character in particular, but because the whole series is a rebellion of ideas against social stigma and stereotypical thinking.
Two more could be added. The Magician’s Guild trilogy by Trudi Canavan in the fifth position maybe. And The Shiva Trilogy by Amish Tripathi in the second place. Maybe. I’m naming the Shiva Trilogy here not because of any character in particular, but because the whole series is a rebellion of ideas against social stigma and stereotypical thinking.