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Why Do We Still Read the Classics?
Lex Libertas is proud to launch a brand-new project this year – the Book Club. To some, a book club is something that sparks childlike excitement; a place where one has permission, or rather a license, to discuss their favourite books. To others, it sounds like a lot of homework. We here at Lex Libertas, however, are truly excited for what lies ahead! Why? The Book Club is more than just a gathering place for book lovers. We see it as a forge of ideas, and that is exactly what shaped our choices for the 2026 reading list. It is another way in which Lex Libertas fulfils our mission to promote a viable political dispensation for the population groups of South Africa. This article serves as an overview of why we should still read classic literature and their place in modern society. Along with that, it explains how the book club will work and which books we will tackle in 2026.
Classic vs. Outdated
Classic literature is often labelled as "outdated". How can a story written hundreds of years ago, set in an entirely different kind of society, be in any way relevant to our lives? Perhaps you use this argument as an excuse because you feel these books are simply "above your station" There is an element, a characteristic, or a factor that separates classic literature from a "nice story" or "cheap fiction" What is it about Homer’s Odyssey that captures the human condition so perfectly that we retell the story time and again? Why has George Orwell’s 1984, with the "Big Brother" concept, rooted itself so deeply in our psyche? Why do Shakespeare's tragic love stories remain relevant after all these centuries, being adapted for the silver screen over and over (and over) again? The one great factor that makes a book a classic is time. Will this book pass the test of time, or not?
What is the Test of Time?
For example, I love Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Published in 1813, this book is an excellent example of a literary work that has passed the test of time. The story is still relevant today and has been adapted for the screen several times. The book meant something to someone who picked it up in 1813, but also to someone who read it in 1913; it will be equally meaningful to someone who picks it up in 2026 or even 2088. Classic literature offers perspective and insight. That is the power of the classics. It offers you a glimpse into the lives of characters from that era and gives you the opportunity to recognize yourself in those characters. Love. Pain. Loss. Joy. Desperation. Sacrifice. Victory. It is a mirror image of ourselves.
Why is Classic Literature Still Relevant Today?
It is within this mirror image where a light switches on. Suddenly, you are not an island of pain or your own problems around which the world revolves; and you can finally comprehend your own insignificance. A new world opens up to you! This is the foundation upon which we will begin to build, armed with Homer, George Orwell, C.S. Lewis, N.P. van Wyk Louw, and other authors who try to tell us a kind of truth
hidden between the pages of a story—a truth about ourselves and our place in the world. I call this Book Club a journey. It is a journey to empower yourself with knowledge, but it is also a journey of self-discovery. Are you ready to embark on this adventure with me?
How the Lex Libertas Book Club Works
You can decide for yourself to what extent you want to commit to the Book Club. This year, we are reading a total of twelve books, which we call the Twelve-Book Program. Four of these are "core books" that form our larger themes for discussion in 2026. One core book is discussed per quarter, where members of the Book Club will gather for discussions—including an introductory conversation and a summary. There are also supporting works that will be discussed alongside the core books, categorized thematically within the same quarters. Reading List and Quarterly Schedule
Quarter 1: January – March We begin with a deep look at social manipulation and the human psyche.
Quarter 2: April – June In the second quarter, we focus on the foundations of Western literature and a special look at the history of the USA, as this year marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Quarter 3: July – September Here, we delve into the structures that protect (or threaten) our freedom.
Quarter 4: October – December We conclude the year with a focus on economic realities and leadership.
Who Can Participate? Any contributor to Lex Libertas is welcome to participate in the Book Club. Anyone who supports monthly is considered a contributor, as is anyone who has made a one-time contribution (valid for one year). You can join the Book Club at any time by sending an email to boekklub@lexlibertas.co.za.
On your marks, get set, read! I’ll see you on the final page. — Marné Pienaar, Coordinator of the Lex Libertas Book Club
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